Bioinformatics Research Scientist / Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist - Northcott Lab in the Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS)

The Northcott Lab in the Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking a highly motivated Bioinformatics Research Scientitst or Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist. CENOS is a collaborative research environment that aims to drive discoveries needed to improve outcomes for children with brain tumors. Through application of cutting-edge molecular profiling to unprecedented patient cohorts and innovative model systems, CENOS members are rapidly translating laboratory findings into new treatments. Genome-wide studies of diverse pediatric brain tumor entities have identified novel mutations, defined molecular subgroups, and opened new avenues of basic, translational, and clinical investigation.

The Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist performs data analysis, data visualization, statistical analysis, experimental design, database development, mathematical modeling, and novel method development. Provides bioinformatics analysis for investigators and communicates analytical process and results.

The Bioinformatics Research Scientist is responsible for designing, developing, improving, modifying, and operating data analysis pipelines. Manages projects and coordinates other efforts related to analysis and infrastructure as directed.

The successful candidate will contribute to discovery-driven computational studies of unprecedented multi-omic datasets obtained from children with malignant brain cancer, including single-cell, spatial, and liquid biopsy profiles. The candidate will work closely with other bioinformatics personnel within CENOS to play an integral role in exciting collaborations, both within St. Jude and with prominent external collaborators. A deep understanding of cancer genomics, human genetics, transcriptomics, or epigenetics, strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking are essential for this position. The successful recruit must have the capacity to execute proficient computational analyses and troubleshooting independently, communicate effectively with the PI and collaborators, and thrive in a highly collaborative team environment.

Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist

The ideal candidate should have

• A PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, data science or related field.
• Experience analyzing the following platforms: Single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq/CUT&RUN, and DNA methylation
• A strong CV that includes publications involving cancer genomics, epigenomics, single-cell, spatial ‘omics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Experience in analyzing, interpreting, and visualizing human genomics datasets generated by high-throughput sequencing platforms including short- (Illumina) and long-read- (e.g. PacBio and Oxford Nanopore) whole-genome sequencing.
• Proficiency in relevant programming languages such as R and Python, preferably in a High-Performance Computing (HPC) environment.
• Proficiency in tools for ensuring reproducibility of pipelines, such as workflow management systems (e.g., nextflow or snakemake), and version control (e.g., git).
• Extensive expertise in data integration and harmonization.
• Proven problem-solving skills and collaborative nature in fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide research support and deliver high-quality results by formulating an efficient analytical approach with the available data.
• Deliver data files, and document the analytical process. May participate in manuscript preparation at project's conclusion.
• Assist with establishing and documenting protocols or best practices for common research tasks, and in the formulation of analytical plans that use the best approach to address challenging data analysis questions.
• Assist in the evaluation and testing of new methods and technologies.
• Contribute ideas to automate or improve existing analysis methods. Implement the improvement or work with others to do so.
• Participate in the department's developmental projects and interdepartmental team projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry) or related field.
• Master's degree or PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree with 7+ years of relevant post-degree work in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry).
• Experience Exception: Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant post-degree experience (OR) PhD with 2+ years of relevant post-degree experience.
• Significant experience in at least one programming or scripting language and at least one statistical package, with R preferred.

Bioinformatics Research Scientist

Job Responsibilities

• Independently perform basic and advanced level statistical analysis, algorithm implementation, programming from a variety of biotechnology platforms, and oversee quality check.

• Design and prepare materials and courses for training on various bioinformatics software and databases, computing, data mining, and analysis.

• Act as a liaison between end-users, software developers, system designers, and different departments.

• Establish protocols or best practices for common research tasks and SOP, evaluate products and solutions to make recommendations, and integrate solutions.

• Lead the development, implementation, installation, and maintenance of databases; coordinate data collection, database implementation, and usage and any hardware and software related to database collection.

• Develop programs to assist in the analysis of data within the databases.

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and organizing projects across departments and delegate tasks based on priority, expertise, and capacity.

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry) or related field.

• Master's degree or PhD preferred.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's degree with 6+ years of relevant post-degree work in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, statistics/computer science (with a background in biological sciences or chemistry).

• Experience Exception: Master's degree with 4+ years of relevant post-degree experience (OR) PhD with no experience.

• Experience in at least one programming or scripting language and at least one statistical package, with R preferred.

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $104,000 - $186,160 per year for the role of Bioinformatics Research Scientist / Senior Bioinformatics Research Scientist - Northcott Lab in the Center of Excellence in Neuro-Oncology Sciences (CENOS).

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