Senior Postdoctoral Data Scientist

Kings College London

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Number: 7073949

Posting Date: Jan 11, 2021

Job Description

Senior Postdoctoral Data Scientist

Kings College London

Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology

Grade 7, £46,292 to £54,534 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

St Thomas’ Campus

We are looking for a data scientist skilled in the analysis of time-series data and prediction modelling, with initiative and drive, to contribute to research into the biggest medical problem facing the world currently (i.e. COVID-19).

You will have a unique opportunity to work on data from two internationally renowned cohorts: firstly, TwinsUK; and secondly, the COVID Symptom Study (ZOE app). Studies in COVID-19 will be wide-ranging including vaccine effects and responses, long-COVID, multi-omic predictors of COVID outcomes, effects of behavioural changes post lockdown, and will include analysis of pre-pandemic data, and throughout the pandemic. The opportunity to contribute to the study of COVID-19 and, potentially, to vaccine responses, through investigation of these unique and large datasets is both unprecedented and of huge international importance, given both the pandemic and development of effective vaccination.

There will also be opportunities to engage in other big-data projects using these deeply phenotyped cohorts, as well as with other projects involving machine learning. Applicants are expected to be able to direct research independently and have a good breadth of knowledge of modelling research methodologies and background. This post-doctoral position will also be expected to write papers, review papers, and supervise and mentor research assistance and students, in a highly supportive environment for both early- and mid-career researchers.

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 12 months

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

This post will work supporting the research activities of Dr Claire Steves (PI, Deputy Director for TwinsUK, Dept of Twin Research, School of Life Course Sciences) and Professor SebOurselin (School of Engineering).

This research will include handling time-series data from over 6 million sign-ups on the App, mostly from the UK and over 165 million daily symptom reports. The App has already provided critical insight on the spread of COVID-19 in the country to inform government policy. You will join a team of researchers maximizing ongoing impact for the pandemic response. Part of your role will be linking detailed pre- and post-pandemic biological and medical records data with app data, so knowledge of genetic and multi-omic data is desirable, though not essential

Applicants are expected to be able to direct research independently with a good breadth of knowledge of modelling methodologies and background. This post-doc will also be expected to write papers, review papers, and supervise and mentor research assistance and students.

• Undertake original and state of the art biomedical research as an integral member of a group working on predictors of COVID-19 responses.

• Use initiative on modelling and bioinformatic strategies to gain most predictive models from the data

• Apply clustering models to multiple datasources to discern patterns

• Integrate data from multiple sources, including health records data, biological data and timeseries data on symptom development (App based)

• Experience in software programming is desirable as this may help streamline pipelines.

• A working knowledge of wider genetic epidemiology, and multi-omics would be desirable but not essential.

• Maintain up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive laboratory notes

• Assist, supervise and train other members of the group, including students and other research staff in their application in related lab projects.

• Manage the progress and set goals for achievement of project aims in collaboration with team leaders including the execution of literature reviews, data collection and analysis, and report preparation.

Communication & networking:

• Prepare reports on results for verbal and multimedia presentations at regular lab meetings, departmental seminars, national and international meetings.

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer review journals or book chapters

• Facilitate collaboration and networking which engages and supports the activities of this research.

Decision making, planning & problem solving:

• Identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio

• Contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in area of research

• Deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

• Implement new technological approaches to solve problems

• Contribute to decisions affecting the work of the team

• Take initiative to undergo relevant training

Service delivery:

• Responsible for identifying stakeholder (e.g. students, colleagues, external bodies) needs and ensuring these are met.

• Provide expert advice in subject area

• Set the standards of service and ensure overall quality is maintained

Analysis & research:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with the assistance of a mentor

• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects

• Write up research work for publication in scientific journals

• Continually update knowledge and understanding in field

• Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity

•Analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes

Teamwork, teaching & learning support:

• Actively participate as a member of a research team

• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings

• Provide mutual support to the team, acting as a role model for good practice

• Set up and maintain relevant laboratory equipment for use by self or others.

• Supervise the research activities of undergraduate and postgraduate students engaged in related research under the direction of group leaders.

Sensory/physical demands & work environment:

• Balance with help the competing pressures of research and administrative demands and deadlines

• Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others

Pastoral Care:

• Show consideration to others

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

• PhD awarded or near completion in Data science, bioinformatics, Machine learning, computer science

• Strong background in predictive modelling

• Excellent statistical and programming skills (preferably python)

• Experience in writing scientific articles /grants

• Ability to contribute to the team success (training colleagues, providing scientific input during meetings, keeping a healthy working atmosphere in the lab)

•Organised and systematic approach to research

• Strong work ethic, evidence of productivity

• Self-motivated, with the ability to work under pressure & to meet deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of genomics, metabolomics and proteomics field and research methodology

• Experience with working with large scale health records data

• Extensive experience in conferences, oral presentations and posters

• Good publication record

Further information

The post holder will need to be independent and self-driven. They will benefit from prior experience managing large datasets. There are multiple opportunities that will arise from working with the existing and evolving multi-omics data in COVID-19 (particularly long-COVID and responses). The position will allow many exciting opportunities to interact with a wide variety of researchers, from clinical to epidemiologists to immunologists and cell biologists.

This post is predominantly supervised by Dr Claire Steves, with additional input from Prof SebOurselin.

To discover more and apply please visit: https://jobs.kcl.ac.uk/gb/en/job/012546/Senior-Postdoctoral-Data-Scientist-Department-of-Twin-Research-Genetic-Epidemiology

Closing date: 7th February 2021

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