Technical Services – Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
This full time post is available from 1 October 2024 on a permanent basis.
Summary of the role
You will maintain and develop computational pipelines, provide bioinformatics support to externally funded research projects, contribute to the day-to-day running of the facility and assist with delivery of DNA sequence data to our users
The Exeter Sequencing Facility at the University of Exeter is a core facility providing state-of-the-art genomics and bioinformatics analysis. We specialise in providing a bespoke service to researchers in academia and industry. The smooth running of the facility depends on bioinformatics pipelines for managing, delivering and analysing DNA sequence data. The primary purpose of this role is to maintain and develop these computational pipelines and to assist with delivery of data to our users. This involves a balance of ensuring smooth-running of day-to-day running and innovative development of new features and services.
You will also assist users with advice on planning and costings for their DNA sequencing experiments and will contribute to training and bioinformatics support. For example, a proportion of the post-holder’s time may be ‘bought-out’ to support externally funded research projects. The post combines customer-facing activities with behind-the-scenes technical work and will sometimes require flexibility to work outside of normal working hours.
The post will include:
- Maintaining and develop facility’s computational pipelines and contribute to facility’s administration
- Advising current and future users and customers and contribute to bioinformatics training activities
- Performing routine analysis tasks (such as demultiplexing sequence reads) and delivery of data to customers and users
- Providing grant-funded bioinformatics support and proactively seek opportunities for externally funded bioinformatics support
About you
The successful applicant will have a combination of technical skills in IT, resourcefulness to solve problems autonomously, proficiency in working on and administering a multi-user Linux/Unix command-line environment and at least one relevant programming language, effective data wrangling skills. A good working knowledge of biological sciences and bioinformatics will be a distinct advantage. You will be a key member of a team, requiring you to build and develop ongoing relationships to ensure effective communications and effective working.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.
Benefits
We offer some fantastic benefits including:
- 41 days leave per year
- options for flexible working
- numerous discounts at leading retailers
- onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
- sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay) and a Fertility Treatment Policy
- stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England
Further information
Please contact Aaron Jeffries, A.R.Jeffries@exeter.ac.uk or (01392) 726203.
This role may be subject to additional background screening.
The University of Exeter is a proud supporter of the Technician Commitment, a charter focussing on the visibility, recognition and career development of our technical staff. For further information please see our website.
