Position
Biotangents (Penicuik, Midlothian) was founded in 2015 and is developing diagnostics for infectious diseases of livestock for product launches in 2021. Currently a team of 11, qualified to at least graduate level, we are urgently seeking a Bioinformatician to join our growing team and contribute to the application and development of our platform diagnostic technology for infectious diseases in livestock.
The focus of this work will be identifying nucleic acid diagnostic targets, the improvement of pipelines for this purpose and the design of components of our nucleic acid diagnostic platform. The dynamic working environment will allow the candidate to develop skills in a range of areas including statistical analysis, computational modelling and our machine learning-based DNA sequence design algorithms.
This position is particularly well suited to an ambitious individual with a desire to learn and challenge themselves and their abilities.
This is an exciting opportunity for the right individual to work as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment to help to refine a novel technology with a clear market demand.
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Contract type: Permanent, full-time (please contact if interested in working part time)
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Salary range: £26,000-£32,000 per year, commensurate with experience
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Location: Initially remote-working due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Flexibility between home working and working at our Penicuik site will be offered when COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed.
The vacancy will remain open until we secure the right candidate.
Requirements
Essential experience and skills:
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A minimum of a PhD or MSc in a relevant field, or a BSc with subsequent relevant experience or training;
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experience in coding using Python 3;
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experience working in genetics, genomics, next-generation sequencing or transcriptomics;
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an inventive, problem-solving mindset;
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the ability and confidence to work independently;
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the ability to communicate well and work effectively in a small team.
The following would additionally be desirable:
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experience working with bioinformatics pipelines;
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familiarity working with cloud-based high-performance computing systems (e.g. AWS Elastic Cloud, or the University of Edinburgh’s Eddie or Archer servers);
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familiarity with statistical tools such as JMP;
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experience in designing oligonucleotides;
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an understanding of nucleic acid secondary structure;
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experience using NUPACK.
Key responsibilities
Working under the direction of our Senior Scientist, you will be required to:
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develop, improve and implement bioinformatic approaches to identify viable genetic targets, with maximum sensitivity and specificity, for diagnostic tests;
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design oligonucleotide probes to selectively recognise these genetic targets;
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use cloud-based high-performance computing systems;
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be proactive and inventive in devising solutions to technical challenges;
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work to rigorous standards of Quality Assurance;
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present findings and data at internal meetings (with opportunities to present externally);
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embody our core values of proactivity, pragmatism, fairness and integrity.
Applications comprising a CV and cover letter should be sent to Andy Hall-Ponselè at info@biotangents.co.uk.
About Biotangents
Biotangents aim to be the go-to company for portable infectious disease diagnostics. We have an advanced technology for detecting infectious diseases using a unique implementation of the isothermal amplification of DNA concept. Developed entirely in-house over the past four years, and using machine learning algorithms to guide its adaptation to specific disease targets, we are using our technology, called Moduleic Sensing™, to develop portable diagnostic tests for various infectious diseases of livestock. Having developed Moduleic Sensing™ initially as a laboratory diagnostic test, we are now working to incorporate it into a portable device to bring advanced diagnostics directly to the point of need. By catching diseases earlier, treatments can be applied more effectively and the spread of the disease reduced.