Todesign, Develop and Maintain the Bioinformatics Infrastructure for the Pancreatic Cancer

Job Profile

Core job information
Job Title / Bioinformatician
Dept./School/Inst. / Barts Cancer Institute / Section/Centre/Unit / Molecular Oncology
Career Family / Academic and Education (Research) / Grade / 5
Working hours per week / 35 / Appointment period / 43 months
Reports to (job title) / Principal Investigator / Current location / Charterhouse Square
Job purpose

Todesign, develop and maintain the bioinformatics infrastructure for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund Tissue Bank (PCRFTB).
Be responsible for the integration, management and usage of experimental data generated using PCRFTBsamples.
To conduct computational bioinformatics research using large data sets generated through whole genome approaches.
To work as part of the Institute’s research team, being mutually supportive and covering duties as necessary during colleagues’ absences and at times of additional pressure, as directed.
To contribute to the overall scientific endeavour of the Centre, and possibly to take responsibility for areas of other projects, as demand requires.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Requirements / Essential/Desirable
Qualifications /

PhD or equivalentin Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Computer science or a relevant discipline

/ E
Experience /

Proven track record in a relevant subject (e.g. Bioinformatics/computational biology)
Strong expertise in relational database design, implementation and maintenance, particularly in Oracle and MySQL
High throughput data management and analysis
Expert in scripting language, such as Perl or Python in a Linux environment
Experience of additional programming languages such as Java or C/C++
Experience in web application development technologies
Pancreas cancer research experience
Experience with BioMart data management system
Relevant record of publications
Experience in R statistical environment, Bioconductor

/ E
E
E
E
D
E
E
E
E
D
Knowledge, skills & abilities /

Proven track record in implementing databasemodels
Working knowledge of bioinformatics tools
Good communication and presentation skills
Evidence of good team working, in particular the ability to interact positively with project co-workers
Ability to work independently
To provide advice, training and support for researchers.

/ E
E
E
E
E
D
Attitude & disposition /

Flexible and co-operative
Self-motivated and hardworking
Willingness to learn new skills

/ E
E
E
Other circumstances /

Willingness to work hard and be committed to meeting project deadlines

/ E
Main Duties and Responsibilities of the Role
Specific Duties

The principal duties of the post will be:

To design, develop and maintain a database that will enablePCRFTB users to mine and integrate published data on pancreas cancer from multiple different sources into their current research projects.
To be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and administration of the platform; advice and help with the implementation of data format, standards, and database design for the extension to new -omics data types; design and implementation of the data mining automated system; responsible for the meta-analysis of collected data; release cycles as well as the wider development and extension of bioinformatics software tools.
This involves the development of tools for analysis, integration, mining and visualisation; the analysis of microarray and next-generation sequencing data, pattern classification and modelling and programming in Perl and R on a Linux platform
To provide advice on dealing with the returned experimental data to allow further studies/analysis to be carried out as required and to maximise the access and usage of returned data by the wider pancreas cancer research community.
They are responsible for the integration, management and usage of experimental data generated using PCRFTB samples.
The post holder will also provide appropriate advice on dealing with the returned experimental data to allow further studies/analysis to be performed.

To work closely with pancreas cancer network of experts to collect and analyse the clinical as well as experimental data and ensure its relevance, accuracy and consistency and maintain its integrity.
Regularly publish research work in refereed journals, disseminate findings at conferences, or exhibit work at other appropriate events
To attend and participate in the Centre’s academic activities, e.g. laboratory and journal club meetings, research group meetings and weekly seminars.
To make research initiatives and original contributions to the research programme wherever possible, and to contribute freely to the team research environment in a manner conducive to the success of the research project as a whole.

General Duties

To collect and analyse data.
To maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentially of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
To prepare reports and scientific publications to disseminate results from the programme of research.
To keep up to date with scientific, clinical and professional issues, in particular developments in the specific subject area.
To undertake literature searches to explore potential research projects, and to be able to interpret and present the findings of the literature searches and advise the research teams appropriately regarding potential projects.
To supervise and train where necessary new members of the research team.
To assist in drafting budgets and applications for potential research projects and grants.
To show a professional attitude to matters of laboratory hygiene, organisation and safety, and to observe and to take an active role in fulfilling all statutory health and safety regulations.
To be aware of own limitations and refer problems to the appropriate person.

Working Environment

Responsible, under the general guidance of theLine Manager/Supervisor/PI, for undertaking the programme of work.
Prepare reports of appropriate research results for public presentation through seminars and conferences. Contribute to writing papers summarising research findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals (of high international standing where possible). Contribute to other reports where possible.
Any other relevant activities related to the project as appropriate.
Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected by the line manager or Head of Department.
Conduct empirical research as required by the research programme.
Collect data and undertake any appropriate analysis of data as requested.
Maintain appropriate databases, keeping accurate written and computerised records and to ensure that these records are stored in a secure place, and to maintain confidentiality of all electronically stored personal data in line with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
Undertake literature and database searches for the research project, and to be able to interpret and present the findings of the literature searches and advise the research teams appropriately regarding potential projects as required by the line manager/supervisor/PI.
Keep up to date with subject related and professional issues, in particular, developments in the specific subject area.
Comply with relevant College policies and regulations with due regard to financial matters, harassment, equal opportunities, public interest disclosure, health and safety, intellectual property and patenting, data protection or any other rules, regulations or codes binding on the member of staff.
Participate in the College Appraisal Scheme (QMPAS) and demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development.
To show a professional attitude to matters of laboratory hygiene, organisation and safety, and to observe and to take an active role in fulfilling all statutory health and safety regulations.
To ensure that all research is undertaken according to good research practice and guidance, such as Good Clinical Practice (GCP), / Good Laboratory Practice (GLP),/ College and Trust protocols.
The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the postholder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such administrative and other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of research grade staff in a university.

These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the School or College, and with the development needs of the postholder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.
Freedom to Act & Decision Making

Principally responsible for organisation and prioritisation of workload following consultation with the project supervisor.
Adoption of flexible working practices where required.

Communication & Networking
Exchange relevant information, relevant to the project both internally and externally: with staff, students, senior management and peers.
Internal

Establish and maintain relationships in order to collaborate with researchers and academics in own team, within the department and outside the department within the College when necessary.
To work with students.

External

Work with external collaborators as agreed with the Supervisors.
Providing, receiving and presenting complex information to a large group of people.

Finance/Resource Management
n/a
People Management

Where appropriate to supervise, train, provide expert advice and / or assistance to new members of the team, research students.

This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post.
Organisation Chart