Bioinformatics Specialist

University Health Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive offer packages

HOOPP pension

Flexible work environment

Transit access

Development opportunities

Corporate discounts

Job summary

University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto is hiring a Bioinformatics Specialist to expand spatial transcriptomics across three labs focused on arthritis, neuroscience and eye research. You will develop cell-segmentation and analysis pipelines, and lead HPC initiatives to increase throughput for genomic research.

You will collaborate with experimentalists, biostatisticians, ML scientists and other bioinformaticians, ensuring high-quality analyses and staying current with literature and methods.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with post-graduate experience (5+ years).
• 2+ years in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data processing/analysis.
• Hands-on experience with Visium HD data.
• Proficiency in R and Python for NGS data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead HPC-based automation of single-cell/spatial workflows including Visium HD, Xenium, scATAC-seq.
• Develop and optimize cell-segmentation and downstream analysis pipelines for clinical and preclinical samples.
• Mentor colleagues and collaborate across research teams to build computational skills.

Skills

Single-cell & spatial transcriptomics

HPC automation

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or related

Tools

R

Python

Visium HD

Xenium

Job description

UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-union
Number of vacancies: 1
New or Replacement Position: New
Site: Toronto Western Hospital
Department: Research
Reports to: Manager
Salary Range: $45.74 - $68.62 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Status: Temporary Full-Time
Closing Date: October 16, 2026

Position Summary

We are hiring a Bioinformatics Specialist to expand spatial transcriptomics capabilities across three labs working in the fields of arthritis, neuroscience and eye research. With a focus on Visium HD and Xenium data, you will work with multiple research groups to process and analyse datasets from a range of clinical samples and preclinical disease models. You will play a key role in developing and advancing cell-segmentation and analysis pipelines, leading high-performance computing (HPC) initiatives to increase throughput and efficiency, and supporting the growing genomics research needs across the three research groups.

Duties

• Lead HPC-based automation and streamlining of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics workflows, including Visium HD, Xenium, and scATAC-seq
• Develop and optimize cell-segmentation and downstream analysis pipelines for clinical and preclinical samples
• Mentor and collaborate with research team members on analysis projects to build their computational skills
• Communicate results and coordinate with internal and external collaborators, including experimentalists, biostatisticians, ML scientists, and other bioinformaticians
• Conduct regular reviews of relevant literature/methods
• Participate in departmental, institutional or international seminars
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope of the position

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in Cell/Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of relevant post-graduate experience
• Minimum 2 years of experience in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data processing and analysis
• Hands‑on experience with Visium HD data required
• Proficiency in R and Python for NGS data analysis
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and contribute effectively to team‑based projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Prior experience contributing to manuscripts, reports, or grant‑related experimental summaries an asset

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on‑site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates. Please ensure you check your email regularly. At University Health Network (UHN), artificial intelligence technologies may be used to assist in the screening, assessment, and selection of candidates for this position.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.