HudsonAlpha - Computational Biologist I - Cochran Lab

Position: Computational Biologist I - Cochran Lab Job Type: Full-Time Institute Overview The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a non‑profit organization dedicated to using biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to pursue careers in science, and educate the public about the importance of science. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, HudsonAlpha’s campus contains state‑of‑the‑art laboratories for biological research and development, education, and the fields of genomics, genetics, and personalized medicine. Department Overview The J. Nicholas Cochran laboratory employs genomic approaches to answer biological questions specific to neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. While not required, familiarity or interest in genetics, genomics, neuroscience, or neurodegenerative diseases is desirable. Key projects include studies of gene regulation for genes implicated in neuro‑degeneration, novel analytic approaches for associating genetic variation with neurodegenerative diseases, and genome‑wide approaches relevant to neurodegeneration. Ongoing projects involve national and international collaborations on genetic contributors to neurodegenerative diseases, including the Multi‑Partner Consortium to Expand Dementia Research in Latin America (ReDLat), the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, and the UAB Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Position Summary The Computational Biologist I combines computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering to analyze and interpret biological data. This role supports collaborative research efforts with experimental scientists, software engineers, and other bioinformaticians to implement computational workflows and data‑analysis strategies. The Computational Biologist I uses lab‑generated or publicly available data to answer specific biological questions. By applying computational methods, the role is integral to processing and analyzing the large volume of data generated or accessed by a genomics laboratory. The ideal candidate will be comfortable constructing bioinformatics pipelines that interface with internal and external resources using modern programming languages commonly employed in bioinformatics (Python, R, and bash), both locally and in high‑performance computing (HPC) and cloud environments. Job Specific Tasks Data Analysis & Research Perform data preprocessing, quality control, and analysis using established computational workflows Understand the biological science behind the laboratory projects Analyze genomic and transcriptomic data from neurodegenerative disease studies Process high‑throughput sequencing data (RNA‑seq, DNA‑seq, ATAC‑seq, single‑cell sequencing) Manage access, management, and processing for large biological datasets Pipeline Development & Maintenance Assist in maintaining bioinformatics tools and pipelines to support research initiatives Construct and optimize bioinformatics workflows for genomic data analysis Collaborate with senior team members to troubleshoot data‑related challenges and optimize workflows Implement version control practices (Git/GitHub) for collaborative code development Work with workflow management systems (Snakemake, Nextflow, WDL) as appropriate Collaboration & Communication Collaborate with the research team to plan and execute computational applications Communicate technical findings clearly across teams and document methods for reproducibility Work with experimental biologists, clinicians, and other computational researchers Present analyses at lab meetings and research forums Contribute to peer‑reviewed research papers Education and Required Skills Experience Education Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, computer science, statistics, or a related quantitative field Master’s degree preferred Experience 0 to 3 years of experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field Experience may include postgraduate research, internships, industry positions, or significant coursework projects Required Technical Skills Proficiency in Python and/or R and bash scripting Experience with version control systems (Git/GitHub) Strong understanding of bioinformatics principles and proficiency in relevant computational tools Fluency with Unix/Linux command‑line environments Ability to function in a high‑performance computing (HPC) cluster environment Strong understanding of statistics and quantitative data analysis Proficiency with Google Workspace and collaborative tools (Zoom, Slack, etc.) Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $66,000 - $75,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience Benefits Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance Retirement plan with employer contribution Generous paid time off Professional development support Access to cutting‑edge computational resources and technologies Physical Demands, Environmental Factors, and Mental Functions Physical Demands Must be able to remain seated or standing for prolonged periods (50% of the time) Frequently move between work areas Frequently transport, position materials up to 30 pounds Vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception Operate common office equipment (computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners) and laboratory equipment Frequently perform tasks such as stoop, crouch, crawl, bend, grasp, push, pull, wrist flexion/extension, and reach to operate laboratory equipment Environmental Factors Exposure to chemical, mechanical, electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, and airborne particles Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate Mental Functions Continuous mental and visual attention, requiring sustained observation Excellent fine motor skills and hand control for accurate pipetting Ability to sustain focus during research procedures to maintain protocol order Ability to observe results and record outcomes on lab logs and/or PC Basic computer skills required Extensive documentation skills, good attention to detail, and exceptional organizational skills Effective oral and written communication in English Adaptable to change efficiently Ability to lead and conduct research independently, evaluate, interpret, and present complex scientific data Capacity to work productively within diverse teams and collaborate with external investigators and partners in academic and industrial settings Ability to prioritize issues and use sound judgment to recognize when additional consultation or help is needed Comfortable working on multiple projects simultaneously Strong logical thinking and deduction skills Ability to present ideas and information in various formats to a wide range of audiences Positive, flexible, and professional attitude ADA Requirements The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions 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. It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote people 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr HudsonAlpha