HudsonAlpha - Associate Computational Biologist - GSC

Position: Research: Associate Computational Biologist - GSC

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $60,000 - $70,000

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology ( ) is a non-profit organization with the mission to use biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to seek careers in science and teach members of the public the importance of science in their everyday lives. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, one of the world's leading science and technology parks, HudsonAlpha's campus contains state-of-the-art laboratories for biological research and development, as well as education, in the areas of genomics, genetics and personalized medicine.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

As a research facility, the Institute houses a variety of quasi-independent laboratories, each with its own unique research objective(s). Each laboratory develops its particular protocols and manages materials and equipment. Laboratories operate under the direction of a Principal Investigator or team of Investigators and assignments are made within the research team based on areas of expertise and overall objectives of the lab.

The HudsonAlpha Genome Sequencing Center (formerly the Stanford Human Genome Center) is a not-for-profit research group focusing on the generation of high quality plant and fungal genomic resources for the scientific community. It specializes in eukaryotic whole genome sequence, assembly, and analysis together with improvement or finishing of complex eukaryotic genomes.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Computational Biologist is an entry-level position. The Associate Computational Biologist will analyze and manipulate data generated from both internal and external sources and aids other scientists in the group with a variety of computational tasks. By applying a variety of software and technologies, the Computational Biologist enables the rapid, incremental analysis required to best process and interpret the large amount of data generated in a genomics laboratory.

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Genome Sequencing Center (GSC) is seeking a computationally minded individual with a strong programming/computer science background who has experience in bioinformatics or large data science.

Job Description:

• Extensive involvement with day-to-day data analysis of genomes, and contribute/lead in the creation of tools to visualize complex genomic data sets.
• Work with a team of scientists to manipulate, assemble, and explore the genomic sequence of plants of interest as food crops and biofuels.
• Assist/Lead in the development of improved methods for assembling genomes using Illumina and/or long read PACBIO sequence data.
• Assist/Lead in the communication of scientific information in the form of reports, presentations, and prepare contributions to resulting research papers.
• Participate in the development of specific genome analysis methods to assist in furthering scientific knowledge pertaining to specific organisms.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED SKILLS EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in biology, biostatistics, mathematics or related field; master's degree a plus
• Knowledge of current bioinformatics approaches and databases
• Experience with multiple programming languages and computational environments, including UNIX-style operating systems, command line interfaces.
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, Perl, or Python for UNIX is required. A minimum of 2+ years of experience is preferred.
• Experience with and knowledge of biological sciences, especially genetics and molecular biology is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Good communication skills and ability to work with others to accomplish goals
• Able to perform job responsibilities independently, with general and minimal direction.
• Good programming skills and ability to manipulate large data sets
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to document work performed, especially in support of publishing scientific results and to enable software re-use and robustness

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements - The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Occasionally move about the office (accessing files/storage, office equipment, computers and other office productivity devices, attending meetings, etc.).
• Constant use of common office equipment (e.g. computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners).
• Close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Communicate in person and over the telephone.

Environmental Factors

• Perform work in an indoor office environment with controlled temperature.
• Tolerate moderate noise level (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).

Mental Functions

• Continuous mental and visual attention.
• Ability to focus on tasks despite interruptions and open cubicle environment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
• Analyze and solve problems.
• Learn and apply new skills and information.
• Perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks.
• Read and interpret data, information, and documents.

It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.