Associate Bioinformatics Data Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Position Purpose:  

A bioinformatics data scientist is responsible for providing experimental design consulting and data analysis for large, high-throughput genomic experiments, with a focus on forensics and metagenomics. The bioinformatics data scientist will be responsible for designing and implementing annotated code for managing, manipulating, and analyzing large-scale genomic data, and for preparing thorough documentation and reporting.

This position is a full-time, on-site role at the Signature Science office in Charlottesville, VA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop tools for management, analysis and interpretation of high-density microarray and whole genome sequencing data.
• Manage, manipulate, and analyze data using a combination of R, python, and UNIX tools.
• Use established domain-specific open-source software and tools to manipulate and analyze genomic data.
• Implement and execute data processing workflows and automated analytic pipelines.
• ·     Apply literate‑programming methods to develop reproducible workflows that produce consistent, standardized tables and figures.
• Conduct workflow benchmarking and documentation, identifying inconsistencies and resolving data problems.
• Prepare SOPs, document source code/workflows, and write reports to summarize computational requirements, processing status, and customized analysis results.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced proficiency working in a Unix/Linux environment.
• Advanced proficiency with open-source software, tools, and databases for analyzing next-generation sequencing data (whole-genome sequencing, RNA-seq, epigenetics, microbiome, and metagenomics).
• Proficiency working with and developing using Docker and/or Singularity container technology.
• Proficiency using version Control software (e.g., Git or similar) to manage programming code.
• Proficiency with Python, Perl, or another scripting language.
• Proficiency with R, RMarkdown, and the "tidyverse" tools for data analysis.
• Preferred: Experience with NextFlow, SnakeMake, or similar workflow/pipeline management systems.
• Preferred: Familiarity with developing and querying relational databases.
• Preferred: Familiarity with AWS and/or Azure cloud computing.

Education/Experience:

• BA or BS in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or related field
• Experience managing and analyzing large-scale datasets produced sequencing platforms and delivering solutions for managing, visualizing, analyzing, and interpreting genomic data
• Experience using Linux/Unix text processing tools, R, and other open-source tooling to manipulate and format data, to assess data quality, and analyze data.

Clearance:

• This position requires that the candidate be willing and able to complete a successful background screening for a security clearance. Candidates with a current security clearance will receive preference.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• May serve as a bioinformatics task lead.

Working Conditions/ Equipment:

• Ability to work in varying conditions to include: traditional office environments with sedentary extended periods required for code development and testing.