Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Nutritional and Molecular Epidemiology

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented researcher to work on a new project called NutriPROGRAM within the MRC Integrative Epidemiology unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol.

Funded by the ERA-HDHL, the NutriPROGRAM study aims to identify early life nutrition-related exposures and subsequent epigenetic pathways leading to metabolic adaptations and disease across the life course. It is a collaboration between the University of Bristol and partners in the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Spain.

You will contribute to this international effort by using epigenetic epidemiological approaches and causal inference techniques (principally Mendelian Randomization) to study causal relationships between early-life nutrition (maternal diet in pregnancy, breastfeeding, child eating behaviour and protein intake), DNA methylation and later life cardiometabolic health. This will provide a starting point for evidence-based preventative strategies and new nutrition-related interventions to improve health.

To explore the role of epigenetics, NutriPROGRAM will collaborate with the Pregnancy and Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) consortium to carry out meta-analyses of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). You will be responsible for leading the University of Bristol's involvement in the PACE consortium, thus introducing yourself to an even wider network of international collaborators in epigenetic epidemiology.

You will work on this project with Dr Gemma Sharp, Dr Laura Johnson, Dr Debbie Lawlor and Dr Caroline Relton in addition to many collaborators from across the University and internationally.

We are seeking either a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate (appointed grade level depending on experience) to join this study. This post is offered as an open-ended contract with current funding available until 28th February 2022. In addition to research experience, you will have the opportunity to build skills in public engagement and help design and deliver impact activities. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to teaching and postgraduate training and will be supported in your career progression.

You will have a strong background in epidemiology, statistics or genetic/epigenetic epidemiology, with experience using the statistical programming language R and working with large-scale datasets to conduct applied statistical analysis. Experience in nutritional epidemiology and working with nutritional data are distinct advantages.

We strongly encourage interested applicants to make informal enquiries to Dr Gemma Sharp ( gemma.sharp@bristol.ac.uk ) at the MRC IEU.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.