The University of Bristol offers a position of post-doctoral Research Associate in a project focused on the development and use of methods from machine learning and bioinformatics, to devise improved predictors for estimating the functional impact of genetic variation in human disease.
Rapid developments in next-generation sequencing technologies have led to a substantial increase in identified genetic variants, which may be implicated in human disease. The core application focus of the project is to construct and use algorithmically-based methods for predicting the functional consequences of genetic variation. A recent publication, H.A. Shihab et al. Bioinformatics doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/btv009 (2015) gives an impression of the project. This paper is a successor to earlier published projects centred on FATHMM, a widely used tool, embedded in various external packages and which is used to predict pathogenic sequence variants. We expect to extend this study in many directions including devising disease-specific predictors and devising predictors for other types of genetic variation.

In addition to this application core, you will be interested in the development of improved machine-learning based methodology for handling problems specific to the application domain. This includes new methods for handling label noise, improved methods for data integration, handling missing values and a range of other issues.

You will have a strong background in machine learning, statistics or bioinformatics. You will be capable of developing novel methodology in addition to having a keen interdisciplinary interest in the given medical application domain.

You will work with Dr. Colin Campbell, Director of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory and Dr. Tom Gaunt who heads bioinformatics in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) in addition to other researchers.

You will be hosted within the Intelligent Systems Laboratory (http://intelligentsystems.bristol.ac.uk/) of the University of Bristol. The ISL has 17 staff members and about 50 postdoctoral researchers and research students and pursues a broad programme of research across machine learning, bioinformatics and related disciplines. The Research Associate will also collaborate closely with researchers in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit which houses more than 70 researchers from a wide range of disciplines. The broad programme of research in the IEU spans genetics, epigenetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics and biostatistics in the context of human health.

You will hold a PhD degree and excellent skills in programming (e.g. Python, C++, R, MATLAB) and mathematics.

This post is offered on a full time, fixed term contract for 36 months with a desired start date of 1st June 2015, by arrangement.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Colin Campbell C.Campbell@bristol.ac.uk or Dr. Tom Gaunt Tom.Gaunt@bristol.ac.uk

Appointment may be either on a fixed term or a permanent contract depending on the extent of previous relevant research experience, in line with the University’s Fixed Term Contract Agreement. Further information can be found at www.bristol.ac.uk/hr/ftc/

The University of Bristol is committed to equality and we value the diversity of our staff and students.

To apply, please click here to be redirected to our website, enter the vacancy number into the job search and follow the link to the online application process.

The closing date for applications is 5 April 2015.