Research Associate in Mathematical Biomedicine

Job Description

We are excited to offer this opportunity to a highly motivated Research Associate to join an ambitious new team working in the field of Digital Endocrinology. The successful applicant will conduct original research aimed at translating understanding of endocrine function into precision medicine applications. The research will use data from wearable device technologies to characterise variability in circadian hormone profiles in humans, uncovering fundamental insights about endocrine rhythms that can be used to support the diagnosis and management of endocrine conditions. The position is funded through a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship awarded to Dr Eder Zavala: “Developing a mathematical and computational framework for digital endocrinology”. The work will build on hormonal time series data collected at unprecedented time resolution in healthy humans and in patients, including studies in real life settings.

We are seeking to appoint a creative and enthusiastic individual who will lead on computational data analysis projects that interrogate the mechanisms behind hormonal rhythm misalignment. The research will be closely integrated with mathematical models that predict dynamic responses to perturbations (e.g., stressors, sleep disruptions, diagnostic tests), as well as the long-term changes that occur during disease. A key challenge of your work will be accounting for the variability in hormonal rhythms observed across individuals. To characterise this variability, you will take advantage of unique in its kind datasets and advanced mathematical and computational methods and help develop personalised models. The practical element of your project will be based on, but not limited to, time series analysis, network analysis, Bayesian inference, Machine Learning, as well as computational simulation of mathematical models written in terms of differential equations.

In addition to leading their own research projects, the appointed candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the projects of PhD students in the group, as well as with an international team of collaborators including clinicians, computer scientists, and mathematicians. The team is dynamic and ambitious as well as being welcoming and supportive.

The applicant should have high proficiency with scientific computer programming in Python, Julia, R and/or MATLAB, parameter estimation methods and HPC simulations. Experience with dynamical systems theory and mathematical modelling using ODEs and/or DDEs is desirable.

The vacancy is for a full-time post available from 1st February 2027 until 31st December 2029.

What you will get in return

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Dr Eder Zavala (UKRI Future Leaders Fellow; Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Biomedicine)

Email: eder.zavala@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support

0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.