Research Fellow in Genetic Epidemiology

Overview

The University of Southampton invites applications for a full-time, fixed-term Research Fellow to join Professor Hanieh Yaghootkar’s precision-diabetes research programme within the Faculty of Medicine. This position focuses on investigating the heterogeneity of obesity and its impact on type 2 diabetes and related complications. Based at University Hospital Southampton, the role involves working alongside genetic epidemiologists, clinicians, and data scientists to apply statistical genetics approaches. The appointment runs until August 23, 2028.

What you get

The position offers a salary ranging from £37,369 to £45,641 per annum, along with a competitive University benefits package that includes pension provision and generous annual leave. Researchers gain access to large-scale genetic and biomedical datasets, high-performance computing infrastructure, and secure analytical environments. Additionally, the role provides opportunities to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, attend scientific conferences, and engage in professional development within an internationally collaborative research environment.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a PhD in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, computational biology, or a closely related discipline. Applicants need experience analyzing large-scale genetic, genomic, or epidemiological datasets, ideally including the UK Biobank, alongside strong computational skills in R or Python and familiarity with Linux-based computing environments. The role requires knowledge of genome-wide association studies methodology, Mendelian randomisation methods, and post-GWAS approaches such as fine-mapping, functional annotation, and pathway analyses. Candidates should also provide evidence of high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, and possess strong analytical and communication skills for multidisciplinary collaboration.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is December 4, 2026. The contract is fixed-term and runs until August 23, 2028.