The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

With only ~10% of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients possessing an identified genetic driver, there is a substantial missing heritability which cannot be explained by known ALS genes. In the Cooper-Knock lab, we combine cutting-edge machine learning, with functional genomics techniques including spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing, to power the search for cell-specific genetic drivers of ALS.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic postdoctoral candidate to work with 10x Genomics Xenium spatial transcriptomics profiling of ALS patient tissue to define, at a molecular level, cellular interactions that drive risk and severity of ALS, with potential for wet lab. The data is in place at time of writing. They will be based in the Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock lab at the Sheffield Institute for Neuroscience (SITraN), an award-winning centre for excellence for the study of neurodegenerative diseases and drug-discovery. We are particularly keen to support researchers with career development in line with the research development concordat and will actively support those keen on applying for career development fellowships. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Johnathan (j.cooper-knock@sheffield.ac.uk) to discuss the project prior to application.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake research in line with project requirements.
• Manage data collection, analysis and storage on a day-to-day basis.
• Work independently and as part of a team to deliver the research objectives in line with the project outline
• Liaise closely with other academics, advisers and administrators relevant to the study.
• Take a lead role in the analysis, interpretation and writing up of data
• Read and review literature as appropriate.
• Assist in the writing of the project reports and publications.
• Contribute to conference presentations, research advisory group meetings
• Attend and contribute to project/lab meetings and research advisory group meetings.
• Support project reporting requirements, including research project progress reports and finance management and reporting
• work with and support other members of the team, including in the supervision and support of PhD students and MSc students working in the lab
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A PhD in genetics, bioinformatics or a related discipline (applicants near completion of their PhD are welcome to apply) (assessed at: Application)
• Experience using the R programming language and/or Python to perform statistical analyses in large omics data (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Experience of delivering high quality research (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Ability to work effectively within a team and independently (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues within the University and externally, with researchers, clinicians and members of the public involved in the studies. (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Display enthusiasm, motivation and a passion for the research proposal (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of developing and applying machine learning tools to discover non–linear relationships within high dimensional data (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Experience working on neurodegenerative diseases (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving (assessed at: Interview and/or Application)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £37,099 - £45,585 per annum

Work arrangement: Full-time

Duration: 21 Months with the potential to extend, subject to funding

Line manager: Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock

Direct reports: None

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/neuroscience/johnathan-cooper-knock

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock, [Principal Investigator]: on j.cooper-knock@sheffield.ac.uk  

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 10th March 2025, with a start date as soon as possible afterwards. This will consist of review of application forms and an interview. We will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3rd March 2025. Please note that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact you. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Rebecca Brown Rebecca.brown@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways and Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.