Research Associate - Specialism in Bioinformatics with potential Wetlab experience

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Do you have a passion for using bioinformatics to understand immunology, RNA and gene-regulation? We are seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher to join an ambitious and interdisciplinary programme at the University of Sheffield investigating how RNA regulation controls innate immune responses during inflammation and infection.

You will have a PhD in an appropriate subject and a research record in bioinformatics and the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data, including RNA-related datasets. The project will generate extensive multi-omics data, creating unique opportunities to integrate diverse data types and make transformative biological discoveries.

While computationally focused, this position is suited to someone with the ability and motivation to perform experimental tasks and the strongest candidates will have experience in conducting high-throughput RNA focused experiments as well as analysing the results of them.

You will form part of a team that will combine primary human immune cell (neutrophils) culture and zebrafish models with the latest molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics and in vivo imaging to investigate how ELAVL1, a major RNA-binding, impacts on immune cell biology. Together, we will uncover the fundamental principles of immune regulation by post-transcript regulation, with relevance to inflammatory diseases.

You will be able to demonstrate a collaborative mindset, be looking to acquire and use new skills and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary way. You will look forward to being part of a community of researchers working towards common goals.

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary research programme investigating the regulation and function of ELAVL1 in immune cell biology and inflammation. The project combines molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and in vivo disease models to uncover mechanisms controlling RNA processing and immune cell function. The successful candidate will work in a team where complementary expertise will be available to cover all required skills and will contribute to complementary work packages spanning mechanistic studies in human cells and functional investigations in zebrafish models.

• Design and conduct collaborative research into the molecular mechanisms regulating ELAVL1 function in innate immune cells.
• Process high-throughput datasets, and design and apply novel statistical analysis, visualisation, using R, Python, bash, or other suitable programming languages.
• Generate, integrate, and interpret large-scale multi-omics datasets, using them to generate and test novel hypotheses.
• Investigate post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, including intron retention, mRNA stability, RNA editing, methylation, and protein phosphorylation.
• Design, analyse and perform high-throughput
  -omics experiments, including RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), eCLIP, SLAM-seq, RIP-seq, and associated transcriptomic datasets in vitro and in vivo.
• For suitable applicants, there will be an opportunity to develop and apply molecular biology approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, RNA affinity pull-down assays, mutant analysis, and gene perturbation strategies.
• Contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and dissemination of research findings through publications, presentations, and reports.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and comply with laboratory, ethical, and health and safety procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with researchers across molecular biology, bioinformatics, and imaging disciplines, and support the training of students and junior researchers where appropriate.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant biological and/or bioinformatic discipline and experience of bioinformatic analysis of the datasets generated by molecular and cellular biology, RNA biology, immunology, genomics, or related fields. Experience analysing large datasets using relevant programming languages are essential. Experience with CRISPR technologies, RNA-focused methodologies, transcriptomics, imaging experience or zebrafish models would be advantageous for candidates with dual wet-lab/bioinformatics expertise.

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