The University of Manchester
Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Cancer Genomics
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Post-doctoral Research Associate/Fellow - Cancer Genomics
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a post-doctoral research associate/fellow with cancer genomics research experience. This role offers an exciting opportunity to analyse genomic data and calculate prostate cancer polygenic risk scores for the GP-TEST-Pro study. This clinical study involves a multidisciplinary team of leading academics from the University of Manchester, Queen Mary University London, University College London, and the Institute for Cancer Research and the postholder will be working within a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Responsibilities
You will be responsible for:
- Receiving, securely storing, and managing genomic data in line with University, NHS, and study governance requirements.
- Performing genotype and imputed-data quality control, including sample-level and variant-level checks, ancestry and population-structure assessment, allele harmonisation, and preparation of analysis-ready datasets.
- Using appropriate genetic analysis tools, such as PLINK/PLINK2 and imputation server outputs, to clean, process, and analyse genomic data.
- Calculating and validating a 451-SNV prostate cancer polygenic risk score, including harmonisation of variants, application of published effect sizes, and assessment of score distribution.
- Evaluating additional genomic markers or PRS approaches relevant to clinically significant prostate cancer detection.
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About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate the following:
Essential Criteria
- Have, or be about to obtain, a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, cancer genomics, epidemiology, data science, or a related quantitative discipline.
- Experience in cancer genomic medicine research, including hands-on analysis of genetic or genomic datasets.
- Experience cleaning, quality-controlling, and managing genotype or imputed genomic data, including pre- and post-imputation quality checks.
- Experience calculating, validating, or applying polygenic risk scores using genetic variant effect sizes and appropriate ancestry or population-structure adjustment.
- Understanding of key genetic epidemiology concepts, including SNVs, alleles, imputation, linkage disequilibrium, ancestry, population structure, and principal components.
Desirable Criteria
- First or co-author publications in cancer detection research.
- Experience with prostate cancer genetics, cancer risk prediction, diagnostic accuracy studies, calibration/discrimination, or multivariable risk modelling.
- Experience integrating genomic data with clinical, epidemiological, biomarker, or imaging data.
- Experience of working with PPI groups and co-investigators.
- Expertise in cancer screening or early detection research.
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Benefits
- Generous employer contribution pension
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
- Ride to work and EV car scheme available
For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity, and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning, and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas, and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.
Enquiries About The Role, Shortlisting And Interviews
Name: Dr Samuel Merriel
Email Address: Samuel.merriel@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk
Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
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