We are seeking a Senior Research Associate in Bioinformatics to undertake research for a Prostate Cancer UK and Movember Foundation Research Innovation Award study for the validation of the PUR (Prostate Urine Risk) test for prostate cancer. We have recently determined that cell-free RNA extracted from urine contains many prostate cancer gene transcripts which can be used to predict the state of cancer within a prostate without the need for a biopsy (Connell et al., 2019 BJUInt). This project will continue the development of the PUR signatures towards a clinically implementable test for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer. The post holder will be involved in all aspects of the collection, data management and analysis of patient data and expression data in this project including the commercialisation of the test.

The research will be based in the Cancer Genetics team at the Norwich Medical School, which is an interdisciplinary team comprising a mixture of bioinformaticians and lab-based scientists. We have a broad interest in translational cancer based molecular studies with the aim of improving patient care. The person will link into other studies within Cancer Genetics and with collaborating teams and hospitals both inside and outside the UK.

You will have a PhD degree or equivalent experience in computer science or a relevant numeric biological subject, (e.g. bioinformatics, computational biology), strong organisational skills and a good track record in publications. You will have experience in performing machine-learning techniques and experience of managing a project with large amounts of data. Experience in clinical statistics, significant postdoctoral experience, data management, and cancer research is advantageous. You should also have well-developed analytical and practical skills; programming skills; an enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary environment and the ability to interact & communicate effectively with scientists from other disciplines including clinicians, scientific computing IT, and biologists.

Acceptable first degree: Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science.

Closing date: 9th December 2019.

Further particulars and an application form can be obtained from: https://myview.uea.ac.uk/webrecruitment/pages/vacancy.jsf?vacancyRef=RA1710

Please contact Dan Brewer (d.brewer@uea.ac.uk) for queries.