Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

We are assembling a team of Computational Biologists to answer important questions about neurodegeneration, organelle biology, and context-dependent gene function. The team will mine data generated by the McDonnell Genome Institute (MGI) as well as publicly available datasets to generate mechanistic insights into the biology of disease to find new therapeutic candidates.

This is a joint position shared between the MGI (https://genome.wustl.edu/), and the Mitra (http://genetics.wustl.edu/rmlab/) and Milbrandt labs (https://milbrandtlab.wustl.edu/). We seek a bioinformatician to design and conduct the aforementioned project. The successful applicant will have substantial Computational Biology experience, and sharp attention to detail is a must. This position offers superb opportunities for continued scientific learning and continued career development including authorship.

The successful applicant will hold the title of Bioinformaticist. The MGI, Mitra, and Milbrandt Labs provide a collaborative, highly productive, well-funded and supportive scientific work environment. Our location is in the recently renovated space in Couch Biomedical Research Building and Fort Neuroscience Research Building. Candidates are expected to work in person in a flexible and challenging academic environment.

Job Description

• Design and perform analysis of in house and public datasets to answer questions about neurodegeneration, organelle biology, and context-dependent gene function.
• Pursue independent research projects, including developing hypotheses that can be experimentally tested and work with our teams to design such experiments.
• Investigate new computational methods when needed to answer novel biological questions.
• Produce well documented code and electronic notebooks
• Research and recommend new algorithms and statistical approaches.
• Train other researchers on the everyday use of analysis software and research databases.
• Assist with reporting of methods, data, and results. Candidate will periodically present work at group meetings.
• This position is 100% computational.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal Office Environment

Physical Effort

• Typically Sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office Equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Research (4 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Doctor of Philosophy in computer science or related field.
• Experience with machine learning/AI methods.
• Dedicated, highly motivated individual with attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of computational biology, probabilistic models, statistics, machine learning, and discrete mathematics.
• Ability to adapt and change as new computational techniques emerge.
• Ability to maintain complete, detailed, well-organized Jupyter notebooks.
• Expertise in standard bioinformatics tools.
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Perl, Java), in a UNIX/Linux and/or Windows environment and have a working knowledge of high-performance compute clusters.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree, Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Adaptability, Analytical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, Big Data Processing, Bioinformatics Tools, Communication, Complex Data Analysis, Computational Biology, Critical Reasoning, Data Management, Detail-Oriented, Discrete Mathematics, Group Problem Solving, Java (Programming Language), Jupyter Notebook, Machine Learning (ML), Perl Programming, Probabilistic Modeling, Problem Solving, Python (Programming Language), Statistics

Grade

R11

Salary Range

$55,200.00 - $100,000.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.