University of Liverpool - Computational Biology Data Scientist (1FTE, £39,355 - £45,413 pa )

Job Title:

Computational Biology Data Scientist (1FTE, £39,355 - £45,413 pa )

Category:

Technical roles

Closing Date:

08/04/2025

The Role (Job REF 091673)

Role overview and University context: 

We are seeking a data scientist (PDRA-equivalent) with experience in bioinformatics, computational biology or similar discipline to contribute to scientific projects using omics and multi-omics analysis to support two newly launched Cystic Fibrosis Innovation Hubs: Pulse-CF (University of Manchester) and CF-TrailFinder (University of Liverpool). The post is initially funded for 4 years, but there may be potential to extend the term. Additionally, there could be an opportunity for the post to transfer into the Research Technical Professional Career Pathway at Liverpool, to embed within a full career progression at the Computational Biology Facility. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to these very impactful hubs, engaging with clinicians and wet lab scientists to deliver on translational science, by applying data science skills to improve our understanding of cystic fibrosis exacerbations and their treatment.

Computational Biology Facility (CBF)

The CBF is a shared research facility within Liverpool Shared Research Facilities (LIV-SRF).  LIV-SRF helps to ensure that staff have access to the world-class equipment and expertise to pursue outstanding science. The CBF aims to develop and support data-driven biological and clinical research by nurturing a team of specialists that work on forming new collaborations and delivering on an array of scientific challenges. We work as scientific partners and as service providers offering tailor-made solutions across a wide range of bioinformatics, statistics, and functional interpretation of data. We have an expanding team of computational biologists and software engineers that work multi-functionally across a wide variety of projects and disciplines, providing a supportive environment for our team to share knowledge and thrive. The CBF supplies a wide range of standard and bespoke services and strategic partnerships to Life Science researchers and clinicians. A snapshot of the CBF portfolio can be consulted at https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/media/livacuk/computationalbiologyfacility/FINAL,CBF2024.pdf and on the wider website at www.liverpool.ac.uk/cbf. The post-holder will sit formally within the CBF and will benefit from support from the specialist community.

The CBF activity can be summarised in the following areas:

• Study Design and power analysis. A consultation service to design studies that involve the development and integration of large datasets with an estimate of the statistical power.
• Identification and analysis of suitable public domain omics datasets. Identification and interrogation of functional genomics datasets in public domain databases.
• Data Processing. Cleaning, normalisation and integration of datasets from multiple sources, including omics.
• Data Analysis. Interpretation of multivariate data by technology independent analysis pipelines and identification of differences in large experimental datasets, integrating when appropriate multiple complexity layers.
• Advanced statistical modelling using a variety of methods including machine learning approaches.
• Dataset Integration. Integration of datasets from different sources and analysis in data-driven modelling and network approaches
• Visualisations. Production of high-quality figures to illustrate complex analyses.
• Custom bioinformatics pipelines, databases, and software development: Development of bespoke analysis pipelines from a combination of different software components.
• Training in Computational and Systems Biology. Hands on training for investigators in a wide range of computational biology techniques, programming, and statistics. Provision of relevant courses to the wider academic and external community.
• Publication, grant and project support. The CBF collaborates with numerous researchers in a variety of projects and outputs.

PULSE-CF

The PULSE-CF Innovation Hub is a multi-centre multi-study initiative led by University of Manchester and funded by new award from CF Trust and LifeArc. The Hub is focussed on understanding the causes of exacerbations of CF and identifying ways to prevent these. Pulmonary exacerbations are a prominent feature of CF, though causes and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. This significantly restricts our ability to predict and prevent one of the most significant and burdensome aspects of CF. We propose that different types of exacerbation (i.e. endotypes) are determined by certain triggers and/or individual host factors such as airway microbiome composition and immune status and we aim deliver new mechanistic understanding of exacerbations and treatment response. This will allow us to establish an evidence-based clinical trial platform to test exacerbation prevention therapies, directly reducing harm from both exacerbations and antibiotics used as treatment. The post-holder will work across two studies.

The CF-TRACKER study will study causes of exacerbations through a UK-wide remote surveillance study, focussing on triggers, including viral infection and airway microbiome/proteome composition, and patient-specific susceptibility factors. A sub-cohort will undertake more intensive sampling to identify underlying mechanisms, including immune response and exposure to environmental pollutants. This two-tiered approach will allow delivery at breadth and depth.

The UNIFIED-CF (jointly run with CF-TRAILFINDER) study will investigate recovery from exacerbation in those receiving IV antibiotics within hospital, to link causes of exacerbations with clinical outcomes and response to therapy. By comprehensively analysing microbial and immune phenotypes in participants, we aim to identify factors associated with clinical and biomarker response to IV antibiotics and potentially inform further clinical trials.

More information can be found https://www.pulse-cf.com/

CF-TRAILFINDER INNOVATION HUB

The CF-Trailfinder Innovation Hub is a multi-centre initiative led by University of Liverpool alongside nine other Institutions and funded by CF Trust and LifeArc and forms part of a larger Network funded through CF Trust and LifeArc and includes Pulse-CF (led by University of Manchester), CF-Precision (led by Imperial College, London) and University of Cambridge.

The Hub will serve people with cystic fibrosis at all life stages by developing new approaches to treating lung infections, managing exacerbations and maintaining healthy lungs.

The Hub consists of academics and clinicians underpinning two work streams, focussing on 1) Advancing phage therapy for antibiotic-resistant lung infections and 2) Optimising treatment for acute pulmonary exacerbations.

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

The FHLS is one of three Faculties that make up the University of Liverpool. The Faculty is one of UK’s leading centres for health and life science research and education and is the only Russell Group University to offer scientific and clinical education that spans the full range of biosciences, clinical, medicine, health sciences, dentistry and veterinary sciences. Consequently, we are one of the largest and most innovative educators in our field and provide a unique range of courses across the full spectrum of health and life sciences within a single faculty. The University of Liverpool has been at the forefront of health and life sciences research for over 130 years, and the Faculty continues to deliver its civic responsibility by training healthcare professionals and undertaking research to address both local health inequalities and global health outcomes.

The FHLS has over 2,000 staff, 6,000 undergraduates and 1,000 postgraduate students who, together with many alumni and partners, are helping to deliver research which addresses the most important challenges impacting society today through a 'One Health' approach to our research, recognising the connection between human, animal and environmental health.

Post Overview

The ideal candidate will have experience analysing multivariate datasets and will be able to code pipelines for data analysis independently. This could include the analysis and integration of omics datasets, including proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics (bulk and/or single cell analysis), and/or metadata analysis amongst others. The post-holder will be embedded into the clinical research hubs, thus engaging in the data evaluation and interpretation to its wider significance. You will be expected to liaise with clinical and experimental colleagues to advise on design, discussing findings, validation and dissemination of results.

You should have a PhD in systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology or a relevant science discipline or have equivalent work experience. You should have a commitment to high quality research and be highly motivated to work in multidisciplinary teams.

You will sit formally on the CBF team under supervision by CBF co-director Dr Eva Caamano Gutierrez and will be closely aligned and guided scientifically with CF Hub directors Professor Alexander Horsley and Professor Jo Fothergill. The CBF operates in a research environment that encourages working independently, supports knowledge expansion and scientific curiosity. You will be part of a supportive team of data scientists and software developers that allow for teamwork and information sharing opportunities. The team is fully committed to the Researcher Development Concordat and provides ample opportunity for development.

You may also be involved in training groups and individuals in the analytical pipelines you have developed and have experience in as well as teaching the current CBF courses and providing new materials as directed by management.

This post is hybrid with at least one day per week expected on Campus, with visits to meet with the coordinating team at the University of Manchester or other collaborators based on the project needs, and engaging with the wider national community.

The post is funded for 4 years in the first instance and will be available from March 2025. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Eva Caamano Gutierrez (caamano@liverpool.ac.uk).

Key responsibilities and duties: 

• You will be responsible for the application of a wide array of computational biology methods on different datasets, particularly from omics technologies. You will be required to contribute to the contextual interpretation of the data.
• You will be required to liaise with the data manager to ensure data integrity throughout the data collection process remains to high standards.
• You will support experimental design best practices to ensure statistical analyses can be performed.
• To help plan, co-ordinate, develop and implement software pipelines for the analysis and integration of complex research datasets. This will include ensuring that code is adequately documented and adheres to best practices.
• To keep up to date with developments in computational biology research and apply the state-of-the-art analyses to projects.
• To write project reports to the highest possible standards to ensure simple transitions to publication quality output.
• To contribute to grant applications where required.
• You will be expected to publish your results in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Active participation in HUB meetings and CBF meetings and journal clubs as required.
• To communicate effectively between a wide range of stakeholders (clinicians, experimentalists, data scientists, etc.)
• To support the development and delivery of guided training within the teams and engage in outreach as required.
• To engage with other SRFs within LIV-SRF to ensure a fruitful transition from data generation to data analyses and outputs.
• To support publishing of data and code in appropriate repositories adhering to FAIR practices.
• To undertake administrative duties as required.
• Occasional travel to meet other stakeholders may be required.
• Ability to work with national CF data teams, and safely handle sensitive data as needed (according to GDPR).

All staff within HLS are encouraged to contribute to wider collegiality initiatives.  For example:

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): Efforts to promote a more inclusive and equitable environment.
• Sustainability: Initiatives supporting environmental sustainability and responsible practices.
• Public Engagement, PPI, Widening Participation, or Outreach: Activities aimed at engaging with the public, patients, diverse communities, and underrepresented groups.
• Volunteer Work as a University Ambassador: Representation and advocacy for the institution in various capacities.
• Collegiality and Support: Support provided to colleagues and/or students, fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.

Additional requirements: 

In addition to the above, all University of Liverpool staff are required to: 

• Adhere to all University policies and procedures, completing all obligatory training and induction modules, including Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety. 
• Respect confidentiality: all confidential information should be kept in confidence and not released to unauthorised persons. 
• Participate in the University’s Professional Development Review scheme and take a proactive approach to own professional development. 
• Demonstrate customer service excellence in dealing with all stakeholders. 
• Embody and uphold the University’s Vision and Values. 

About you

Experience

Essential

1. Experience in Bioinformatics or Computational Biology
2. Experience of research in an academic or commercial environment
3. Proven expertise and experience in statistical methods and analysis
4. Experience with the analysis and interpretation of large datasets e.g. omics (e.g. linking to the wider biological question)
5. Experience in writing scientific papers
6. Experience in building predictive models
7. Experience working as part of a team
8. Experience managing complex projects

Desirable

1. Commitment for best practices and FAIR research
2. Proven track record of research with expertise in bioinformatics and publications, commensurate with the stage in career
3. Experience in network analysis and data integration
4. Experience in data analysis pipeline development and version control
5. Experience in proteomics
6. Experience in metagenomics
7. Familiarity with the use of machine learning algorithms (e.g. random forest, neural networks, etc.)
8. Experience working with REDCap or within Trusted Research Environments
9. Experience in grant proposals and application procedures
10. Experience in metabolomics

Education, qualifications and training

Essential

1. PhD in Bioinformatics / Systems Biology / Biological Science with experience in the application of bioinformatics techniques / or related data science discipline with interest to learn biology, OR equivalent work experience

Skills, general and specialist Knowledge

Essential

1. Excellent written and spoken English
2. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
3. Excellent time management and organisational skills
4. Good knowledge and professional experience of R (or other programming language such as Python and the willingness to learn R)
5. Evidence of experience/knowledge using off the shelf omics analytical pipelines

Desirable

1. Excellent skills in scientific writing and a history of delivering oral presentations at national/international meetings
2. Knowledge and/or experience in software development and deployment
3. Knowledge of bioinformatics databases
4. Experience of taking a significant role in relevant research networks, meetings/conferences and initiatives

Personal attributes

Essential

1. Ability to communicate well, conveying ideas and concepts clearly and effectively with stakeholders of different backgrounds (wet scientists, clinicians, etc.)
2. Highly motivated with ability to work Independently but also as part of a team, contributing to the development and growth of areas.
3. Consistent ability to produce high quality/quantity of work
4. Dependable, reliable and self-motivated with a professional approach to work.
5. Highly organised.

Desirable

1. Enthusiasm for research
2. Enthusiasm for computational biology applications and developments
3. Enthusiasm for cystic fibrosis research

About us

Established in 1881, we are an internationally renowned Russell Group university recognised for our high-quality teaching and research. We are consistently ranked as one of the best universities both nationally and globally, and the majority of our research is rated world leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us.

Why Work Here  

We recognise, appreciate and celebrate the incredible work our staff do every day. As well as generous terms and conditions, we offer a range of enviable benefits and provide support for colleague’s wellbeing and development. Discover more about working here.

Moving from abroad  

As a global institute, we welcome applicants from all nationalities, moving from a different country can be challenging and we would like to help as much as we can, we have put together some information on eligibility to work documentation, accommodation, schools, healthcare, life in Liverpool and the UK as well as other practical information.  Discover more about moving from abroad.

Our Staff  

Whether it be their friendly colleagues, supportive managers or our outstanding facilities, our staff can explain better than anyone what it is like to work for us and why they enjoy their role. See what our colleagues have to say.

How to Apply 

Application process  

Our e-recruitment system enables you to register for an online account, where you can view, copy and edit your applications. Set up your account on our Vacancies Portal.

Once you submit your application you will receive an automatic email acknowledgment. You can view your application at any time by clicking into the application history section of your account.  

The recruiting department will endeavour to respond to each application. However, if you have not heard within six weeks of the closing date, please take it that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

The recruitment process will have two further steps with selected candidates invited to complete a short task and bests submissions invited for interview.

Job description  

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Right to work 

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  If you do not have the right to work in the UK already, any offer of employment we make to you will be conditional upon you gaining it.  The UKVI have an interactive tool allowing you to immediately see if vacancies are eligible for a Skilled Worker visa. You will need to know the SOC code for the role, view our most used SOC codes, if none of these apply to this role, there are more codes on the eligibility checker. The skilled worker eligibility checker can be found on GOV.UK.    

Disabilities and alternative formats  

If you have any other requirements which will help you access the application or interview process or employment opportunities at the University, or if you require copies documentation in alternative formats, please email: jobs@liverpool.ac.uk or telephone 0151 794 6771.