Bioinformatician

Summary:

The VCU Genomics Core and the Bioinformatics Core, supported by the Office of Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), is seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual with expertise in computer science and bioinformatics related to genomics and molecular biology to join our team as a Research Analyst or Senior Research Analyst, dependent on experience and qualifications.

The position is shared between the Genomics Core (50%) and the Bioinformatics Core (50%). The main purpose of this position is to conduct and support processing of various types of sequencing data and to conduct bioinformatic analyses to support the operations at the two core facilities. The position is highly collaborative. Thus, excellent communications skills to efficiently interact with other core staff, the core leadership, trainees, and investigators is required. After appropriate training the successful candidate is expected to independently establish, execute and maintain state of the art workflows for data processing, quality control processes and various types of bioinformatic analyses.

General responsibilities in the Genomics Core include, but is not limited to, responsibility for data transfer between lab-technical instrumentation, e.g., various Illumina sequencing platforms, and high performance computing facilities at VCU; quality control of data to detect lab-technical issues and to ensure optimal operation of the lab-technical instrumentation; executing basic bioinformatics analyses pipelines for various types of data; transfer analyses results and data to customers; prepare and electronically distribute newsletters and other communication to the facilities users; establish and maintain computer based performance-monitoring of various lab-technical instrumentation, establish and monitor data back-up and data storage clean-up routines. The position will also involve customer consultation and various types of customer service support.

General responsibilities in the Bioinformatics Core include, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining high throughput sequencing pipelines for both quality control and preprocessing of a variety of high throughput sequencing data generated by either genomics core at VCU or outside vendors; developing and maintaining bioinformatics pipelines to support standard differential data analysis of proteomics and lipidomics datasets; The position will work closely with staff at multiple cores and is expected to provide various customer service support when necessary.

Typical Duties

Genomics Core: Data processing, QC and analyses -

Perform quality control of data from the Genomics core to detect technical issues and to ensure optimal operation of the lab-technical instrumentation.
Executing basic bioinformatics analyses pipelines for various data types.
Establish and maintain computer-based performance-monitoring of various lab-technical instruments, establish and monitor data back-up and data storage clean-up routines. Perform maintenance as required to ensure the integrity of the data generated.
Review and evaluate quality control information and other related data to determine appropriate actions.

Bioinformatics Core: Interfacing with Proteomics core -

Work closely with Proteomics core to manage and store proteomic data. Apply existing Bioinformatics pipeline to support standard downstream analysis of proteomics data. The candidate is expected to work independently or with others for trouble shooting and software update.

Bioinformatics Core: Interfacing with Lipidomics core -

Work closely with Lipidomics and Metabolomics core to manage and store data generated by the core. Maintain and apply existing Bioinformatics pipelines to support standard downstream analysis of lipidomic data. The candidate is expected to work independently or with others for trouble shooting and software update.

Genomics Core: Documentation, and communication -

Carefully document progress and challenges of all analyses performed, by maintaining detailed log records of all work.
Address specific challenges with other team members, to find solutions, as they occur.
Present the progress of the projects during weekly meetings.
Interfacing with various units including, e.g., HPRC, SOMTech, PharTech, VCU IT support and networking to resolve challenges and ensure compliance.

Genomics Core: Customer service-

Provide timely and professional customer support. Respond to user questions and contribute expertise to users during consultation session.
Collaborate with supervisor and other team members to address customer challenges and concerns effectively and adequately.
Prepare and electronically distribute newsletters and other communication to the facilities users.

Genomics Core: Professional development -

Learn and remain abreast of relevant developments in the field techniques.
Incorporate advances and innovation as considered appropriate. This includes learning and mastering new analyses pipelines, software, and quality control approaches to serve the Genomics core’s needs.

Bioinformatics Core: Interfacing with Genomics core -

The staff is expected to apply existing Bioinformatics pipelines to conduct preprocessing of a variety of raw high throughput sequencing data generated by either genomics core at VCU or outside vendors. The staff will report the quality control results to the genomics core while sending preprocessed sequencing data to other staff at the Bioinformatics core. The staff is expected to refine and update pipelines periodically.

Bioinformatics core: Documentation and communication -

Communicate promptly with team members in the Bioinformatics core regarding progress and results. Continue to develop and standardize data analysis reports according to the applied Bioinformatics pipelines. The position may also involve customer consultation and various types of customer service support.

Other Duties as assigned -

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s of science degree or equivalent, with documented experience in computer science, including knowledge of cluster computing and advanced bioinformatics analyses for genomic data.
Prior experience with hands-on data processing and analyses of genomic data and strong theoretical knowledge in basic molecular biology.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to carefully document the work is required.
Strong ability to work independently and within a diverse team of faculty, staff, and trainees.
Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to providing high quality customer service.
Evidence of ability to learn new techniques quickly are essential.
The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master of Science degree or Ph.D., or equivalent, with documented experience in computer science, including knowledge of cluster computing and advanced bioinformatics analyses for genomics data. Prior experience working in a core facility environment is preferred.
Prior hands-on experience working with various types of genomic data. Hands-on experience with alignment of sequence reads, contamination detection across various species, and a broad spectrum of assay specific analyses pipelines including, e.g., RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, whole genome sequencing, bisulfite sequencing, MBD-seq and targeted amplicon sequencing is preferred.
Experience of analyses with single-cell/single-nuclei sequencing data is preferred.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Emotional Demands:
E Fast Pace
M Average Pace
E Multiple Stimuli
E Frequent change
E Intense customer interaction

Physical Demands and Activities:
E Light lifting (<20 lbs.)
M Moderate lifting (20-50 lbs.)
N/A Heavy lifting (>50 lbs.)
E Pushing/pulling
E Walking
E Standing
E Climbing
E Sitting
E Reaching
M Repetitive motion
M Bending

Mental/Sensory Demands:
E Memory
E Reasoning
E Hearing
E Reading
E Analyzing
E Logic
E Written communication
E Verbal communication

Environmental Conditions:
N/A Extreme heat/cold
N/A Fumes
N/A Extreme noise
N/A Mists/gases
N/A Vibrations

Salary Range: 61,200 - 72,000



Position Details:

Department: Office of Research
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 100
Exemption Status: Exempt



UAP - Research Analyst (3)/Sr Research Analyst (1) 33233/33234

Exempt

ORB Eligible - NO