• Lead cutting-edge work on genomic cancer risk prediction - take this opportunity to build your track record
• Key role in a new program of work funded by Medical Research Future Fund - be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team
• Academic Level A or B will be considered
• 2-year full-time role
• Anticipated start date - early 2022.

About The Daffodil Centre and Cancer Council NSW

Cancer Council NSW and The University of Sydney have formed a Joint Venture, The Daffodil Centre, which is a Flagship Centre at the University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health. Cancer Council NSW is Australia's largest cancer research organisation with established links to policymakers and internationally recognised researchers. The University of Sydney is Australia's first university and its Faculty of Medicine and Health and Cancer Research Network include many of the world's leading researchers across all health-related disciplines.

The Daffodil Centre combines the complementary strengths of these two partners to concentrate cancer control research expertise, accelerating the partners' aims towards the realisation of a cancer free future.

The Daffodil Centre is a leading research centre on cancer control and policy - providing timely and relevant evidence to national and international policy-makers to inform best-practice decision-making in cancer control.

About the team

In June 2020, a multidisciplinary team co-led by The Daffodil Centre's Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow Dr Julia Steinberg received $3m funding through the Medical Research Future Fund Genomics Health Futures Mission for a new cutting-edge program of work on genomic risk prediction and its application to risk-tailored screening and early detection for the four most common cancers.

This role offers an opportunity to work with an engaged, highly collaborative team of researchers at the Daffodil Centre, as well as external collaborators: QIMR Berghofer, the University of Queensland, the University of Melbourne, and other leading Australian institutions.

About the role

This role will develop and validate genomic risk prediction tools for the Australian population. The role will have summary statistics from international genome-wide association studies as well as individual-level data from large-scale cohorts available to inform the work (for example UK Biobank, the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, the QSkin Cohort, and the 45 and Up Study cohort, with new data generated for the latter in our project).

The resulting genomic risk tools and evaluations of the tools' performance will feed into health economics studies to identify public preferences and develop decision aids for clinical practice, and to determine the most effective and cost-effective risk-tailored screening and early detection strategies. The results of the overall program of work will be used to develop evidence-based recommendations for genomics-informed screening and early detection to reduce the impact of cancer.

Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Lead development and validation of polygenic risk scores (also known as genomic risk scores) for breast, colorectal, prostate cancers and melanoma.
• Evaluate the performance of the new and existing risk scores in four large-scale international cohorts, including novel data generated in this project.
• Carry out quality control of large-scale genetic/genomic data, implement and document robust computational pipelines.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation and submission of high-quality manuscripts for publication.
• Produce high quality oral presentations and present at conferences as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain sound relationships with other investigators and relevant key stakeholders.
• Assist in the supervision and mentoring of postgraduate students contributing to the overall program of work.
• Contribute to the planning and development of research proposals, protocols, and ethics submissions as required.
• Contribute to the preparation of grants, contracts or tenders for external funding.
• Ensure ethics, governance and privacy requirements are met throughout the research project.

About you

• Experience conducting analyses with large-scale datasets in genetics and genomics
• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. genetics/genomics, statistics/biostatistics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, computer science) and experience (academic or other) in the field of human genetics/genomics
• Solid background in analytical and computational skills, including proficiency in coding (R, Python/Perl, etc)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Strong organisational skills
• Proven ability to complete projects and publish in peer-reviewed journals

About the benefits

• Flexible work arrangements
• Work for purpose and know that your work fosters an engaged, diverse and culturally aware organisation.
• Generous salary packaging options that can increase your take home pay by paying certain expenses using pre-tax dollars up to $15,900 a year.
• Additional performance-based leave available.
• Discounts available for everyday expenses such as private health, retail and fitness.
• Recognised for Voice Project's 2021 "Best Workplace" Award.

Cancer Council NSW is an inclusive place to volunteer and work. We embrace diversity, celebrate our differences, and inspire each person to be their authentic self at work. As we strive to represent the communities we serve, we welcome and actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other diverse groups. As such, if you require any adjustments to submit your application, please get in touch with us at [email protected], using the subject line: Postdoc / Research Fellow - Genomic Risk Prediction enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Apply online by clicking Apply Now and submit your cover letter and resume.