The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Statistician
Tenure: 3 years in the first instance.
Grade: Grade 8, £36,715 to £43,840 with a discretionary £47,905
Reporting to: Professor Dominic Kwiatkowski
Applications are invited for the post of Statistician in the Centre for Genomics and Global Health at the Sanger Institute and Oxford University. This position is offered for two years in the first instance with the possibility of extension.
Background
The Centre for Genomics and Global Health (CGGH; www.cggh.org) is a joint research programme of Oxford University and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (www.sanger.ac.uk), directed by Prof. Dominic Kwiatkowski. Our Oxford base is the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics (www.well.ox.ac.uk).
Our goal is to translate advances in genome science into practical applications that will help to reduce the burden of infectious disease in the developing world. A large part of our work is to support international data-sharing networks in global health. We act as the coordinating centre for MalariaGEN (www.malariagen.net), a partnership of researchers in 21 countries engaged in global studies of the genomic epidemiology of malaria (Nature 2008, 456, 732-7). We provide the informatics hub of WWARN (www.wwarn.org), an international group working to collect comprehensive data for drug efficacy in treating malaria and for monitoring drug resistance in malaria parasites. We also provide genomics informatics support for the UKCRC Modernising Medical Microbiology consortium, a partnership involving the NHS and the UK Health Protection Agency, which is developing new genome-based methods of tracking infectious disease outbreaks. Our major sources of funding are the Wellcome Trust, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Medical Research Council.
This position is within our Statistics Team, which is involved in quantitative analysis and methods development for large-scale multicentre studies in population genomics and genome-wide association analysis. We are working at the forefront of methods development for genome-wide association studies in Africa (e.g. Jallow et al, Nature Genetics 2009, 41, 657-65; Teo et al, Nature Review Genetics 2010, 11, 149-60), and in the application of next-generation sequencing technologies for population genetic analysis of malaria parasites and other infectious pathogens (www.mapseq.net/pf) . Open-source software development is part of our mission and we are fortunate to have several outstanding software engineers within the Centre. Another important part of the work of our Statistics Team is to support clinical researchers and scientific investigators in developing countries to analyse their data and design new studies, through one-to-one assistance and training workshops.
We are seeking to recruit a Senior Statistician to support this portfolio of research projects. Genetics is one of the most exciting and challenging application areas in modern statistics, and we welcome applications from talented statisticians who are interested in moving into this field, as well as from researchers who are already working in statistical genetics and related areas. Strong computational skills are essential, and candidates should be able to program in R and ideally another programming language. Candidates should have a doctorate or equivalent experience in quantitative genetics, statistics, or a closely related discipline.
The post will be based at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics (WTCHG; www.well.ox.ac.uk) which has a world-leading programme in Statistical and Population Genetics directed by Prof. Peter Donnelly, FRS. He and several other faculty members, including Prof. Gil McVean and Prof. Chris Holmes, hold joint appointments with Oxford University Department of Statistics. The post-holder will be offered the opportunity of mentorship by a senior statistics faculty member, and will be strongly encouraged to participate in the academic activities of the Statistical and Population Genetics Group as well as the Centre for Genomics and Global Health. The Donnelly, Holmes, Kwiatkowski and McVean groups occupy adjoining office space at WTCHG.
Responsibilities of the Post
1. Lead specific areas of analysis within the Statistics Team of the Centre for Genomics and Global Health, as well as contributing to the broader work of the team in statistical and population genetics. This will also include providing day-to-day supervision to more junior statisticians and computational biologists within the research group. Potential areas of focus include: design and analysis of large-scale genome-wide association (GWA) studies across multiple populations, including trans-ethnic replication and fine-mapping studies using new approaches in resequencing and imputation; and analysis of genome variation, population structure and recent evolutionary selection in human and infectious pathogens using next generation sequencing technologies.
2. The above work will include a substantial component of statistical and computational methods development.
3. Play a leading role in developing and delivering a programme of training and support in statistics and statistical genetics for CGGH research partners in developing countries, through a combination of workshops, data clinics, scientific visits and email communications.
4. Work with other CGGH teams to implement and monitor systems for data transfer in multi-centre studies and to achieve clean and reliable data sets for each study site.
5. Communicate statistical analysis plans to CGGH research partners and work with partners to write up and publish the scientific results of consortial projects as effectively as possible.
Relationships
1. The post is responsible to the CGGH Director, with additional mentorship from a senior statistics faculty member at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics.
2. Key relationships within CGGH will include the scientific research manager, the head of informatics and the network coordinator.
3. The post-holder will be expected to develop strong working relationships with other members of the CGGH teams at Oxford and Sanger, and with CGGH’s research partners around the world.
Essential Criteria for Selection
1. A PhD and 3 years post-doctoral experience (or equivalent) in statistics, quantitative genetics, population genetics or computational biology
2. An expert understanding of modern statistical methods; and a track record of applying and developing these methods in the context of statistical genetics
3. Evidence of aptitude in programming and/or algorithm development
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills
5. Ability to work under pressure, to deal with a changing environment and to be self-critical
6. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, including the ability for team leadership.
7. Ability to work to deadlines and to drive initiatives forward to completion.
8. Willingness to organise and lead workshops for our research partners oversees
Highly desirable
1. Experience of working on large-scale genetic analysis projects
2. Experience of work and/or travel in developing countries
Working for the University of Oxford
At the University of Oxford, we’re naturally very proud of our outstanding reputation for scholarship and research. But we’re also proud to say that we’re one of the region’s biggest and best-established employers, with a diversity of staff helping to sustain our success – from laboratory assistants, cleaners, technicians and secretaries, to IT, finance and administrative professionals. Join us, and you can expect to find yourself working in a friendly, open-minded atmosphere where your ideas will be welcomed, with an interesting and satisfying job to do, and with plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, or maybe even get some extra qualifications.
As well as pay and other benefits such as generous holidays and excellent pension scheme, we may be able to help you with:
· Training – We train our staff, both in the skills needed for starting the job, and to help them develop afterwards. If you don’t have all the skills we are looking for (e.g. computer packages), but you know you are a quick learner, its worth asking if training might be available.
· Working Hours – We may be able to be flexible about working patterns to help you combine work with responsibilities at home. Even for full-time jobs, we can often adjust starting and finishing times, or even sometimes consider term-time-only working: if this is important to you, let us know.
· Disability – If you have a disability, we have specialist staff who can help you to start and stay in work.
· Childcare – The University offers subsidised nursery places, and tax and National savings schemes. Please note that there is a long waiting list for nursery places. It is particularly important to refer to the website http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child for further information including up to date information about the length of the waiting list and alternative sources of information about childcare in the Oxford.
· Parenting – The University has a generous maternity leave scheme and also offers paternity leave to expectant fathers and partners, and adoption leave.
· Cultural and Religious needs – We respect the cultural and religious lives of our staff. If you need time away from work, or special facilities, and can give plenty of notice for arrangements to be made, this will always be considered.
· Travel Arrangements – We offer an interest free-season ticket loan scheme for bus or train season tickets. Annual passes for Oxford Bus Company routes are available at discounted rates.
· Use of University Facilities – All University staff can use the study facilities provided by the University libraries and museums; join the University Club, a sports and social club which has its own bar, café, and reading room; and make use of the University Sports Complex and the Pulse fitness centre.
· Discounts – A number of discounts are available to University staff e.g. for insurance, holiday travel, and computer equipment.
The range of benefits is continuously reviewed and extended. For further information see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ps/staff/benefits/
If you come from outside the area, you may be interested to know that as well as the famous tourist attractions such as the ‘dreaming spires’ of all the lovely old buildings, the river and a number of attractive parks and gardens, Oxford also has a busy shopping centre and a lively nightlife, particularly during term time. Housing is relatively expensive within the city, but nearby areas such as Didcot or Bicester are more reasonable priced. Although car parking is difficult during the day, there are good train and bus services, including several ‘Park and Ride’ routes; and of course, lots of cycle paths.
Pay and Benefits
The salary offered for full-time appointment to this job will be in the range, £36,715 to £43,840 with a discretionary £47,905 (Academic-Related Research Staff Grade 8), depending on qualifications and experience. If you are appointed at a salary below the top of this range, your salary will automatically be increased each year until you have reached the top point. There is also an annual ‘cost of living’ salary review, which normally takes place in summer each year. Pay and benefits for part-time appointments are worked out on a ‘pro rata’ basis.
For a full – time appointment, the annual holiday entitlement will be 38 days (including 8 public holidays). Your hours of work are such as are reasonably required to carry out your duties to the satisfaction of your head of department.
The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period, during which the notice period will be one month on either side. Once the appointment has been confirmed, the notice period will be three months either side.
The position is available for three years in the first instance and will be funded by The Foundation for National Institute of Health and The Wellcome Trust.
Staff
The age of retirement for university appointments is 65. Staff are eligible to join the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) which is a contributory scheme. Subject to the Statement of Pensions Policy, which will be issued to the successful candidate, the appointee will be deemed to be in membership of the USS until such time as he or she gives notice in writing to exercise the right not to be a member of the scheme.
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics has a NO SMOKING policy.
How to apply
To apply, please write a letter of application and send a detailed CV and return it to:
Personnel Administrator
Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics
Roosevelt Drive
Oxford
OX3 7BN
or by fax to 01865 287516 or email to by no later than Friday 6th August 2010. Applicants received after this date will not be considered. Please make sure you quote reference number H5-10-047-VC at the beginning of your application.
The list of duties and the ‘selection criteria’ for this job describe the sort of skills, experience, knowledge or abilities which we are looking for. We will interview those whose applications best meet these criteria, so it is very important that you should use your application to explain how you can match them. Remember that you will have gained abilities, experience and skills from many aspects of your life; some may come from education or work, and others from home or community life. Tell us about which schools or colleges you went to and any qualifications you have. List employment, voluntary work, hobbies, or family responsibilities which help to show you meet the selection criteria.
Please give the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two people you are prepared to give you a reference for this job. If you have previously been employed, your referees should be people who have direct experience of your work through closely working with you for a considerable period, and at least one of them should be your formal line manager in your most recent job. Otherwise they can be people who know you from recent college, school, or voluntary experience. It is helpful if you can tell us briefly how each referee knows you (e.g. ‘line manager’. ‘Work colleague’, ‘college tutor’).
Your referees will be asked to look at the job details and tell us if, in their opinion, you could do the job. We will assume that we can approach them at any stage unless you tell us otherwise when you apply. So, if you wish us to ask for your permission before approaching a particular referee, or to contact them only under your circumstances (for example if we are calling you for an interview, or if we have made you a conditional offer), you must state this explicitly alongside the details of the relevant referee(s).
Your appointment will be subject to (i) the return of a completed medical questionnaire which is acceptable to the University, (ii) the provision of original documentation which indicates your right to work in the UK, and (iii) the completion of an initial probationary period of 6 months.