Requisition ID: 28331
Location:
Newcastle, GB
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 11 Jul 2025
Salary:
Research Assistant: £32,546 to £34,132 per annum
Research Associate: £35,116 to £45,413 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 08 August 2025
The Role
We are seeking a motivated bioinformatician with a PhD or equivalent experience to join our dynamic research team at the Life Arc Centre for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases https://www.lifearc.org/project/lifearc-translational-centres-for-rare-diseases/. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with computational and wet-lab scientists at the forefront of pioneering research. You will be responsible for designing and implementing proteomic data analysis, with opportunities to apply your skills to integrating this with other data types (e.g. genomic and transcriptomic).
The position is full-time and available for a duration of 4 years, starting as soon as possible. We recognise and support diverse personal circumstances and are open to discuss flexible working arrangements.
For informal enquiries contact:
Prof Robert Taylor
Prof Gavin Hudson
Dr Sarah Pickett
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/
Find out more about our Research Institutes here:
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.
Key Accountabilities
- Design and implement pipelines for analysing large-scale proteomic datasets
- Contributing to and advising on experimental design, analysis and interpretation of results
- Supporting the analysis of multiple mitochondrial ‘omics datasets, such genomics, transcriptomics and clinical data
- Collaborating regularly with the team members and external partners to ensure high-quality research and the timely achievement of project goals
- Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
- Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
- Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
- Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
- Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
- Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
- Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
- May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
- Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
- May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
- Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience of working within a Unix/Linux HPC or cloud computing environment
- Proficiency in programming (e.g. using Linux/Python and R), command-line applications, and programming standards such as version control
- High level analytical ability with attention to detail
- Experience of analysing proteomic datasets
- Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
- Detailed subject knowledge in the area of bioinformatics
- Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
- High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
- Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
- Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
- Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
Desirable
- Familiarity with containerisation (e.g., Docker or Singularity) of informatic pipelines/workflows
- Experience in multiple omics methodologies
- Understanding of the application of statistical methods to omics studies
- Experience of contributing to and advising on experimental design, analysis and interpretation of results across project teams
Attributes and Behaviour
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- An ability to work to deadlines, organise own workload and work independently
- Attention to detail
- A positive and supportive attitude; ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
Desirable
- Flexibility with respect to working hours
- Willingness to travel internationally, if required
Qualifications
- Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in the relevant area (Research Assistant)
- A PhD in the research area required (Research Associate)
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 28331