Computer Programmer Co Op Jobs in Montreal, QC (NOW HIRING)

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The Zandee lab is seeking a skilled and motivated Research Assistant to support data analysis and pipeline development for cutting-edge research in neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegeneration. The RA will work closely with Dr. Stephanie Zande, lab members, and external collaborators to process, analyze, and interpret large-scale transcriptomic, single-cell, and spatial omics datasets.

Key Responsibilities

1- Data Processing & Analysis

• Perform quality control, alignment, and quantification of bulk and single-nucleus RNA-seq datasets.
• Conduct differential expression, clustering, trajectory inference, cell type annotation, and pathway enrichment analyses.

2- Pipeline Development & Maintenance

• Develop and maintain reproducible and scalable pipelines (e.g., using Snakemake, Nextflow, or custom scripts).
• Automate common data processing workflows in bash, R, or Python.
• Maintain version control using GitHub and contribute to internal documentation.

3- Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with lab members to provide analytical support and interpret results.
• Generate figures and summaries for presentations, publications, and grant applications.

4- Data Management & Infrastructure

• Organize and back up sequencing data and analysis results using lab-approved systems.
• Ensure adherence to data security and compliance protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in R and/or Python; experience with shell scripting.
• Hands-on experience with sc/snRNA-seq analysis tools (e.g., Seurat, Scanpy, Cell Ranger).
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and job scheduling systems.
• Knowledge of Git/GitHub, version control, and reproducible research practices.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to work independently and in teams.
• Interest in neuroscience, immunology, or multi-omics data integration is a plus.

Work Environment & Opportunities

• The position is embedded in an interdisciplinary research team with projects spanning neuroinflammation, machine learning, and single-cell biology.
• Opportunities for co-authorship on high-impact publications and involvement in grant writing and collaborations.
• Flexible work arrangements (e.g., hybrid or remote-friendly) can be discussed depending on project needs.

This position is covered by the AMURE collective agreement: http://www.aerum-amure.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/AMURE-2023-2027.pdf

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 3 on a scale of 0-4.

This position is covered by the Association ofMcGill University Research Employees(AMURE) collective agreement.