Postdoctoral Researcher

King's College London - MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre

A postdoctoral researcher is sought to lead the epigenetic component of a project on biopsychosocial risk and resiliency factors involved in the association between childhood adversity and psychotic symptoms. This project is funded by an MQ Fellows Award to Dr Helen Fisher (see here for more details: http://www.joinmq.org/fellows/entry/dr-helen-fisher). The post holder will be based in the interdisciplinary MRC Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK, and receive support from the Psychiatric Epigenetics Group lead by Professor Jonathan Mill: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/mrc/research/PsychiatricEpigen.aspx 

This post is available from 1st August 2015 for 22 months. The successful applicant, who will oversee the epigenetic strand of the project and be involved in conducting analyses and disseminating findings, will possess a relevant PhD (or equivalent) and a publication record in genetic/epigenetic epidemiology or bioinformatics. Previous experience of manipulating and analysing high dimensional data-sets is essential. Prior experience of analysing DNA methylation data would be an advantage. 

The post holder will have the opportunity to conduct epigenome-wide analysis on three UK longitudinal cohorts to identify DNA methylation patterns associated with early exposure to adversity (bullying, maltreatment, witnessing domestic harm) and psychotic symptom trajectories, and explore the potential mediation of adversity-psychosis associations by epigenetic processes. S/he will be expected to disseminate findings via journal papers and conferences and encouraged to develop his/her own lines of enquiry. 

Interviews to be held on 15 July 2015. 

This is a fixed term contract for 22 months or until 31 May 2017. 

The appointee will receive a salary of £32,277-£33,242 per annum plus £2,323 London Allowance per annum depending on relevant qualifications and experience. 

Equality of opportunity is College Policy.