Research Associate: Multi-Omics & Microbiome Science

University of Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A notable academic institution in Winnipeg is seeking a Research Associate to work on multi-omics and microbiome research in maternal child health. This full-time position involves data analysis, project management, and collaboration with partners. Candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and strong coding skills in R and/or Python. The role offers opportunities for mentorship and career development in a welcoming environment. Flexible schedules and generous leave are provided.

Benefits

Flexible work schedules

Ability to work remotely

Extended benefits

Paid summer and winter holidays

Home office improvement allowance

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Genetics or a related field.
• Experience with complex, novel research.
• Strong coding skills in R (and/or Python) for data visualization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage multi-omic and microbiome research activities.
• Propose and execute data analyses addressing key research questions.
• Present findings to scientific audiences.

Skills

Data visualization skills

Coding skills in R and/or Python

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Organization and record keeping

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Tools

REDCAP

SAS

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Research Associate: Multi-Omics & Microbiome in Maternal Child Health

Position No. 31318

The Azad Lab (www.azadlab.ca) is situated at the University of Manitoba and Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) in Winnipeg, Canada. Dr. Azad co-Directs the Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre (MILC) and is Deputy Director of the national CHILD Cohort Study. Join our team and study how early-life exposures and experiences shape lifelong health, focusing on infant feeding practices, human milk composition and the infant microbiome. Together, we apply this research in various contexts and geographic settings to understand the development and prevention of allergies, obesity, malnutrition and growth stunting. Our team is transdisciplinary, with backgrounds in molecular biology, epidemiology, statistics, bioinformatics, nutrition and maternal-child health.

Our team is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of parents and children. We are committed to innovation and collaboration. If you are interested in improving the lives of others through research, then you may be a great fit for our team.

We are seeking a Research Associate in Multi-Omics and Microbiome Science to join our team. In this role, you will develop and manage projects, collaborate with internal and external partners, analyze and interpret data, disseminate scientific findings to stakeholders and collaborators, and help mentor junior lab members. This full-time position is expected to commence on December 6th or as soon as possible thereafter. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

You will be offered training, mentorship and career development opportunities tailored to your interests. We provide an agile work environment including flexible work schedules, ability to work remotely, extended benefits, family leave, paid summer and winter holidays over and above standard vacation, team building activities, and a home office improvement allowance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-omic and microbiome research activities in maternal child health projects
• Propose, execute and manage data analyses to address key research questions
• Apply biostatistical methods for multi-omic and microbiome data to identify gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, immune markers, and dietary factors that affect infant health
• Integrate and analyze metagenomic and metabolomic data to identify species, strains, microbial gene products, and metabolites with immunomodulatory function
• Present results to collaborators as well as local, national, and international scientific audiences encompassing diverse fields (clinical, computational, and biological)
• Contribute to manuscript and grant writing
• Help mentor students and trainees

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. Bioinformatics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Genetics or a related field)
• Experience working on complex, novel research problems
• Strong data visualization skills
• Strong coding skills in R (and/or Python), including multi-omics data quality assessments, analysis and visualization
• Ability to handle a variety of tasks, effectively solve problems with numerous and complex variables, and shift priorities rapidly
• Self-directed and able to prioritize effectively to meet deadlines
• Detail-oriented with strong critical thinking, organization and record keeping skills

Desirable Qualifications

• Proficiency in REDCAP, SAS, Python, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with multi-omic and/or microbiome research study design, data analysis and publications
• Familiarity with laboratory analysis of biological samples to generate 'omics data
• Experience with longitudinal data analysis
• Experience developing and writing scholarship applications and research grants
• Background in maternal-child health research
• Ability to be collaborative and work in team-based environments
• Effective communication skills

Additional Information

The closing date for receipt of applications is November 19, 2021 and will continue until filled.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

An inclusive, open and diverse community is essential to excellence and fosters voices that have been ignored or discouraged. To address the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in recognition of the underrepresentation of members of historically and currently excluded groups, we take proactive measures including implicit bias training for all hiring panels. We strive for diversity and cultural safety throughout the hiring process (hiring panels, short-list of candidates, interviews). We encourage you to self-identify any aspect of diversity in your cover letter.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.