Research Fellowship in Bioinformatics (Epigenetics) – Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS)
Job Description
Background
Accelerated aging, or the earlier onset and faster pace of cognitive decline along with broader declines in physical and mental health, is a distinctive yet poorly understood hallmark of aging in low-income countries (LICs) where individuals are often exposed to multiple recurrent adversities. Research that integrates biological and social data promises key insights into the factors contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD) risk and accelerated aging in LIC populations, and such research is critical for devising the health policies and social programs required to address the challenges of global aging.
The ADaRD Project implemented by the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) aims to study the pattern and multifactorial risk factors of accelerated ageing in Malawi. The Project’s broad objective is to identify the effects of life course adversities, health behaviours, and genetic predispositions to accelerated epigenetic aging and ADRD risk. The Project will focus on two specific aims: 1) Evaluate existing and novel epigenetic biomarkers of aging and test their relationship to life course adversities, health behaviours, and underlying genetic predispositions, and 2) Test the extent to which (epi)genomic, and behavioural factors contribute to cognitive decline and ADRD risk in an LIC context. The Project is nested within the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH) project that has been following up a population-based cohort of individuals from defined households in Balaka, Mchinji and Rumphi since 2018, collecting socio-demographic, health status and contextual data from household members. From 2024 to 2028, this existing life course social and contextual data from the MLSFH will be supplemented by genomic and epigenomic data and longitudinal assessments of aging and cognitive status.
Results from the Project will enhance our understanding of the biosocial determinants of aging and cognitive decline in rural LIC settings and identify potential areas for anti-aging interventions that can be implement in resource-limited settings to enhance the quality of life for older adults. Epigenomic, genomic and other data will be made publicly available to enrich the diversity of future global aging research across multiple disciplines.
The ADaRD Project wishes to offer a Research Fellowship to talented Malawians interested to explore the interaction between social and biological factors in accelerating ageing. The fellows will be expected to learn about the use Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) techniques and novel epigenetic analytic technologies to study biological process of ageing and to collaborate with social scientists to explore the effects of social factors on gene function and expression. Exceptional fellows will be supported to undertake a 3-year KUHeS-based PhD fellowship.
Roles
The successful applicant will be required to take up a 6-month full-time position of Research Fellow based in Blantyre and participate in the following roles in the project:
- Conduct literature search and review on genetic and epigenetic methodologies for studying ageing;
- Liaise with social scientists, demographers, epidemiologists and public health experts to understand the social and structural determinants of health;
- Participate in design and implementation of field studies, under the supervision of project co-investigators
- Conduct a broad range of techniques such as epigenetics, cell culture, Genome Wide Association Studies and NGS techniques.
- Perform data collection, extraction, cleaning and bioinformatic analyses;
- Prepare project reports, manuscripts and policy briefs;
- Participate in research dissemination locally and internationally.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Human Genetics, Biostatistics or related fields. Candidates with any of the following competencies and skills will have an added advantage:
- Exposure to Bioinformatic analyses;
- Scientific manuscripts writing and publication;
- Used of multiple software packages including R and Stata;
- Database development and management.
Fellowship Overview
The Research Fellow will be recruited on a fixed-term of 6 months with a view to upgrade to a 3-year PhD fellowship. He/she will undergo rigorous competence assessment within the first 6 months of recruitment. Successful candidates will be encouraged to apply and enroll in a fully-funded KUHeS-based PhD fellowship which includes short-term training at various international centres of excellence in genetics, epigenetics modelling and analyses. The fellowship will cover tuition fees, stipend and the research project expenses. Unsuccessful candidates will not have a contract extension.
Application process
Applicants must include;
- A motivation letter (2 page maximum),
- A detailed CV
- Certified copies of academic transcripts
- Authenticated copies of academic certificates (by a lawyer, magistrate, or registrar of the awarding institution)
- Names and emails of three referees.
Applications must be submitted via email to: recruitment@kuhes.ac.mw
Applications should be received no later than 31st August, 2024