Associate Computational Scientist - Genetics (NGS)

The Genetics department is a basic science department located in the George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building at the world-renowned University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. The focus is on advancing knowledge of the molecular genetic mechanisms that regulate normal and abnormal cellular processes.

Genetics

The primary purpose of the Associate Computational Scientist position is to provide bioinformatics analysis of next generation sequencing (NGS) data for faculty across the institution, to process NGS data for ATGC Core facility, to perform quality control (QC) analysis and to maintain QC metrics and sample records of NGS experiments on the servers, and to meet with faculty to review data analysis results. Impacts cancer research projects by developing/maintaining programs and applications tailored to meet research objectives, and makes them available to the wider cancer research community.

Ideal candidate for the Associate Computational Scientist position will have working experience in analyzing genomic and epigenomic data. Experience in NGS data analysis (expression profiling, mutations and structural variations, and differential peak analysis), data integration, and data mining. Proficiency in at least one programming language such as R, Python, or PERL.

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Performs bioinformatics analysis of bulk RNA-Seq and scRNA-Seq datasets in terms of gene expression profiling analysis.
• Performs bioinformatics analysis of DNA-Seq and scDNA-Seq in terms of detection of both mutations and structural variations.
• Performs bioinformatics analysis of ChIP-Seq, ATAC-Seq, and scATAC-Seq datasets in terms of genome wide profiling of histone modifications and chromosome accessibility.
• Develop software pipelines to perform standard NGS data analysis routine in an automated fashion.
• Perform quality control (QC) analysis on NGS data, and maintain QC metrics and sample records of NGS experiments on the servers.
• Work with bioinformatics faculty, IT personnel, and other researchers to respond to new technologies.

Other Skills

• Expertise in programming languages such as Python, PERL, or R.
• Expertise in linux/unix based environments.
• Excellent communication skills and team-working attitude will be essential.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics or related field.

Preferred: Master's degree in a related field.

Experience

Required: Three years experience in scientific software development/analysis. With preferred degree, one year of required experience.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html