Associate Researcher to the Center for Translational Genomics (CTG) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Research Group

The Center for Translational Genomics (CTG) is a prioritized research infrastructure at the Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, co-financed by Lund University, Region Skåne and SciLifeLab. The center has great expertise in various sequencing and genomics technologies, and seen from both a national and international perspective, the facility is at the technological forefront with access to very powerful sequencing instruments (e.g., Illuminas NovaSeq, as well as instruments for long-read sequencing) and a number of single-cell methodologies. For computations, the center uses a dedicated cluster at the Lund University high-performance computing cluster (LUNARC).

CTG develops and offers researchers expert knowledge and services based mainly on the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology and works closely together with the Center for Molecular Diagnostics (CMD), Region Skåne, to translate research findings into improved clinical diagnostics and healthcare. Together with CMD, CTG also constitutes a facility (Clinical Genomics Lund) within the national research infrastructure SciLifeLab and is one of the drivers behind the national precision medicine initiative Genomic Medicine Sweden.

Currently CTG has just over 10 employees with a strong expertise primarily in NGS and bioinformatics, and the facility has recently moved into the new research infrastructure cluster at the BMC D-building in Lund.

CTG is now looking for an experienced, driven and results-oriented associate researcher, who enjoys working in a dynamic team in a rapidly developing field. The position is a full time permanent position starting August 1, 2021, or according to agreement.

Work duties and area of expertise

In this role you will have the main responsibility for driving new genomics-based assay development, both short- and long-read sequencing-based (e.g. development of ultrasensitive analysis methods of ctDNA). The tasks also include continuous improvement, standardization and automation of already established analysis methods (e.g. WGS, WES, RNA-seq), as well as advisory meetings with researchers or other users of the facility in association with different types of service projects.

The work within CTG will be highly team-oriented, both through internal and external collaborations, which necessitates excellent collaboration and communication skills to successfully  fill this position. External collaborations may for example involve local researchers from Lund University or Region Skåne as well as on a national level national with partners within the SciLifeLab or GMS communities.

Depending on background and experience, management-oriented tasks may also be included in the position, e.g. participating and providing input on key operative and strategic decisions as part of the CTG management team, and managing of complex internal or external projects, the latter as part of the SciLifeLab and GMS collaborations.

The main work duties are:

• Development and implementation of new methods based on NGS and other technologies, e.g. new protocols for short (Illumina-based) and long-read sequencing (Oxford Nanopore-based) and methods for ultra-sensitive analysis of e.g. cell-free tumor DNA
• Participation in streamlining improvements of established services, i.e. standardization, up-scaling and automation of both DNA- and RNA-based methods (WGS, WES, RNA-seq etc.)
• Providing expertise, advice and guidance to researchers and other facility users in connection to different service as well as project development and management
• Various types of management assignments, such as participation in CTG's management team and responsibility for more extensive internal and external projects.

Qualifications

The position requires:

• Master's degree in molecular biology, biomedicine or equivalent
• Doctoral degree in a relevant research field (e.g. genomics, molecular genetics or equivalent)
• Very good knowledge about, and documented practical experience of work with the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology
• At least 4 years of practical experience of working with molecular genetic methods (DNA and/or RNA based)
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English

Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability. You must have a good ability to quickly familiarize yourself with new methods and establish new protocols. You must also have excellent communication and collaboration skills as well as be able to conduct your work independently and with high quality. Finally, you must demonstrate good planning, structural and prioritization skills.

The following are merits for the position:

• Experience in NGS library preparation (e.g. hybrid capture-based protocols, whole genome sequencing or RNA sequencing,)
• Experience in NGS-based sequencing, primarily based on the Illumina platform
• Experience in genomics-based data analysis and/or bioinformatics
• Experience in automation of lab procedures (e.g. NGS library preparation, nucleic acid purification)
• Experience of laboratory work, based on "long read" sequencing technologies or ultra-sensitive methods for analysis of e.g. cell-free tumor DNA.
• Previous project management experience
• Previous experience with open procurement of large lab equipment and grant applications
• Good oral and written communication skills in Swedish

Instructions for your application

The application must contain a personal letter describing how you fulfill the desired qualifications, a CV and diploma.

Other

The university applies individual salary setting. Please indicate your salary claim in your application.