Associate Data Scientist - Genetics (NGS)

SUMMARY

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.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report's 2018 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The primary purpose of the Associate Data Scientist position is to provide bioinformatics analysis of next generation sequencing (NGS) data for faculty across the institution, to process NGS data for Advanced Technology Genomics 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. This position 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.

The ideal candidate 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, Computer Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, or related field.

EXPERIENCE

Required: Two years experience in scientific software development/analysis.

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