Postdoc Position Available – Single-Cell Transcriptomics

Department

A 2-year, fixed-term postdoctoral research associate position is available to work with Dr Andrew Mason and Professor Jennifer Southgate in the Jack Birch Unit for Molecular Carcinogenesis, part of the Department of Biology and York Biomedical Research Institute at The University of York. We are seeking a bioinformatics-focused researcher with a strong biological background to complete a single-cell transcriptomics project with time split between the laboratory (c.25%) and the terminal (c.75%).

The successful candidate will join an international consortium recently funded by the Wellcome Leap Human Organs, Physiology and Engineering (HOPE) programme. Our exciting body of work seeks to utilise the Jack Birch Unit’s expertise in ureteric biology to increase progress in the development of therapeutically-tractable kidney organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells. Your role will be to process primary tissue samples from histologically normal adult ureter, to perform a broader single-cell characterisation of the tissue beyond our current and ongoing study of urothelium. You will utilise both standard single cell suspensions and develop the unit’s capability to perform spatial transcriptomics, including setting up the 10x Visium in the laboratory and developing the bioinformatic workflow. Following this augmented characterisation, you will compare these data to those derived from reprogrammed human cells, and from the engineered organoids.

Role

The postdoctoral research associate will lead the transcriptomic characterisation of human ureteric tissue, informing how the incorporation of a ureter to a kidney organoid affects function and form. You will process primary human samples for single-cell RNAseq, advancing and refining existing bioinformatic approaches and expertise. You will set up the 10x Visium platform for spatial transcriptomics in the laboratory and derive an up-to-date workflow for the bioinformatic analyses of these data. More broadly, you will provide bioinformatic support to the analysis of omics datasets across the consortium.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and/or Bioinformatics with a 2.1 or above, or equivalent experience.
• PhD in Biological Sciences and/or Bioinformatics.
• Relevant theoretical knowledge in biological sciences, including good statistical practice.
• Relevant knowledge in RNA sequencing and transcriptomic profiling, with experience in the analysis and interpretation of such data, as well as the data management requirements of a large cohort.
• Solid foundation in biological laboratory skills.
• Advanced IT skills for a range of applications, from Google Apps and Microsoft Office to specialist software, particularly for high-level programming languages such as Python or R.
• Ability to plan and perform complex tasks with keen attention to detail, seeking advice where necessary, and maintaining accurate, thorough records.
• Highly developed science communication skills, from a proven ability to publish robust research, to experience delivering presentations, and disseminating research to diverse audiences.
• Ability to direct lone working as well as being a dependable group member and support to technical staff and students.