The Centre for Musculoskeletal Research within the School of Biological Sciences wish to appoint a Research Assistant to an exciting project exploring the genetic basis, shared genetic mechanisms, and potential use of genetic risk scores to aid diagnosis of seronegative immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are a diverse group of conditions that can cause significant morbidity. Among these, inflammatory arthritis without autoantibody markerssuch as the seronegative spondyloarthritides (including psoriatic arthritis)present unique diagnostic challenges. These conditions are often difficult to distinguish from other seronegative inflammatory diseases, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and a prolonged delay in diagnosis (typically 26 years for SpA compared to much shorter delays in rheumatoid arthritis). Many of these diseases also show strong genetic heritability, suggesting that genetics and other omics approaches may provide valuable tools for improving early detection and diagnostic accuracy.
During this position, the post-holder will undertake a range of activities including: genome-wide association studies (GWAS), whole genome sequencing (WGS) analyses, and GWAS meta-analyses using publicly available genetic datasets (e.g. biobanks and summary statistics). The role will involve applying methods that account for trait heterogeneity (such as GSEM), enabling downstream analyses including functional annotation and Mendelian randomisation.
What you will get in return:
* Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
* Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
* Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
* Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
* Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers
As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.
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Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.
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Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Sizheng Zhao
Email:
General enquiries:
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This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.