Computational Biologist

Computational Specialist

The Beckman Center seeks a PhD-level Computational Specialist to serve as a technical liaison and innovator in bioinformatics, data analytics, machine learning, and AI, with a focus on cell, molecular, and developmental biology and biochemistry. This role will drive researcher productivity by leading cross-functional collaborations, developing cutting-edge solutions, delivering training, and fostering partnerships to accelerate discovery in basic and translational biomedical research. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, or a related field, with postdoctoral experience applying advanced computational tools to high-impact biomedical projects.

In this position, you will provide high-level technical solution development and support for basic, clinical, and translational research teams, collaborating with diverse groups of researchers, faculty, students, and staff to assist in selecting and developing innovative technical solutions. Your responsibilities will include onboarding, addressing user inquiries, delivering workshops and consultations, and contributing to complex technical and workflow projects. You will manage the direct integration of technology into research projects to resolve complex and novel research questions, often requiring solutions that combine multiple computational tools and techniques. You will also analyze user feedback to propose and develop new computational approaches, tooling, and training to better meet researcher needs, while leading the development of computational learning opportunities for the research community through workshops, classes, onboarding, and documentation.

Duties include*:

• Consult and collaborate with faculty and researchers to understand their research goals and identify technical obstacles and solutions.
• Attend research groups' meetings and presentations to assist with identifying promising tools and systems and to discuss their computational challenges and requirements.
• Engage with researchers on the use of a broad set of cyberinfrastructure systems, tools, and software.
• Provide support for Stanford research computing clusters and storage services, cloud computing, and national resources.

Solutions Development:

• Formulate innovative technical strategies and engineer them to completion to achieve unique research objectives, using external vendors as needed. Provide novel technical solutions and consultation on complex technical topics requiring solutions that combine multiple computational tools, approaches and techniques.
• Consult to develop frameworks that assist researchers in analyzing and visualizing data to uncover insights and support research findings. Consult on the creation and management of large, variable datasets in order to enable their preparation and use in research for modeling and analysis.
• Help facilitate the design and debugging of research workflows with researchers.
• Research and assist in the development and implementation of innovative technical solutions to meet research needs, including machine learning algorithms, text and image processing techniques, API programming, custom full-stack applications, automated web scraping, and crowdsourcing pipelines. Identify appropriate computational platforms (locally and externally) and facilitate researchers' use and mastery of same.
• Continuously adapt to evolving technologies and methodologies to accelerate research development and enable new research frontiers. Leverage technical knowledge and interpersonal skills to support and enhance academic research. Review product demos and provide initial evaluation of potential platforms.
• Read and understand original academic research papers and their associated computer source code. Replicate results from diverse fields as needed.

Documentation/Training:

• Contribute to research and development efforts to enhance the team's capabilities in research support, including creating tutorials, testing new data collection methods, and staying abreast of relevant literature. Develop and deliver documentation and training for faculty and research staff.
• Enhance learning with full awareness of the local research computing and data landscape; continuously optimize the offerings.
• Help develop and deliver research community learning opportunities, including the delivery of workshops, bootcamps, the creation of videos and other learning collateral, and technical documentation.
• Partner with others to create training schedules, collaboratively develop materials, and lead training sessions focused on the use of Stanford cyberinfrastructure services for researchers.

Partnership/Collaboration:

• Assist colleagues and more junior team members by providing guidance and direction on project activities.
• Connect and coordinate interactions between researchers and technology providers.
• Provide regular communications to the systems and software/data professionals.
• Partner with researchers to co-create and co-learn relevant computing and data capabilities.

Teamwork:

• Assist colleagues and more junior team members by providing guidance and direction on project activities.

* - Other duties may also be assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related quantitative field (PhD preferred), with 3+ years of postdoctoral or professional experience applying computational tools to biomedical research projects. They should demonstrate proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics (Python, R, Bash) and experience with data analysis libraries and frameworks, along with demonstrated expertise in the application of computational approaches to biological data. The candidate will have experience designing and delivering technical training, workshops, or educational content to diverse audiences, with strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex computational concepts for researchers with varying technical backgrounds. They should bring a track record of collaborating with interdisciplinary research teams and stakeholders across institutional or departmental boundaries, identifying user needs, gathering feedback, and iterating on solutions to improve research workflows. Familiarity with research data management, workflow automation, or developing reproducible computational pipelines is preferred.

Education & Experience (Required):

Bachelor's degree and three or more years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required for some programs. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required):

• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
• Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
• Ability to oversee and direct staff.
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.

Physical Requirements*:

• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
• Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others.
• On-campus mobility.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Working Conditions:

• May work extended hours, evenings or weekends.
• May travel locally.
• Occasional overnight travel.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, .

The expected pay range for this position is $116,966 to $150,114 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.