Bioinfo-Comput Biologist Lead

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Medicine is seeking a Bioinformatician/Computational Biologist Lead to direct and conduct analyses addressing mechanisms of neurodegeneration, including ALS and neuropathies, using multi-omics data from human and mouse nervous system tissues. You will design workflows, build tools, and collaborate with investigators to advance grants and publications.

The role requires leading computational analysis programs, prioritizing projects, and mentoring fellows in a fast-paced neurology

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Bioinformatics or related fields with 10+ years of high-throughput data analysis experience.
• Significant experience designing transcriptomics studies and performing multi-omics data integration.
• Proven publication record in peer-reviewed journals in the field.

Responsibilities

• Direct the laboratory's bioinformatics analysis function and set priorities across studies.
• Design, develop, and conduct bioinformatics analyses for neurodegeneration including RNA-Seq, exome/genome sequencing, miRNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics, and omics datasets.
• Collaborate with core facilities and investigators; train biologists on bioinformatics tools and best practices.
• Develop and maintain reproducible analysis workflows and pipelines with version control and containerization; manage software licenses and computing resources.
• Co-author publications and grant proposals; present results at conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Bioconductor

R

Python

Nextflow

Snakemake

GATK

Seurat

Scanpy

HPC

Cloud

Education

MSc/PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

IGV

IPA

Git

Linux

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

We are seeking a Bioinformatician/Computational Biologist Lead to join our research team to direct and conduct bioinformatics analyses to identify mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the neurologic complications of diabetes and obesity, including peripheral neuropathy and cognitive impairment. Specific tasks include designing and applying workflows to analyze high-throughput multi-omics data, including bulk and single-cell sequencing data, from human and mouse nervous system tissues. Additional responsibilities include developing computational models of disease progression based on molecular signatures; collaborating with the Bioinformatics Core and collaborating investigators; developing data-handling and mining tools to integrate multiple bioinformatics approaches and datasets; and developing databases and database applications. The individual must be able to write and collaborate effectively with other laboratory investigators on grants and publications that detail research findings in high-impact biomedical journals. An interest in supporting and leading bioinformatics analyses for a fast-paced, cutting-edge neurologic disease research program is required. The Lead will direct the laboratory's computational analysis program, set analytical priorities across projects, and work with fellows and collaborating investigators to move bioinformatics projects forward.

Responsibilities

• Direct the laboratory's bioinformatics analysis function and serve as its domain expert for computational analysis. Create work plans that prioritize projects, coordinate resources, and track progress across studies.
• Design, develop, and conduct bioinformatics analyses in the field of neurodegeneration, with a focus on next-generation sequencing analysis and integration for RNA-Seq, variant detection (exome sequencing, genome resequencing), miRNA-Seq, single-cell RNA-Seq, spatial transcriptomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, and proteomics datasets. Perform thorough quality checks and interpret the results in the context of the biological mechanisms being studied.
• Collaborate with key university core facilities and internal and external investigators. Train molecular biologists on the utility and limitations of bioinformatics technologies and work with fellows and collaborating investigators to ensure bioinformatics analysis consistency and quality.
• Develop and maintain reproducible analysis workflows and pipelines (e.g., using workflow managers, version control, and containerized software), and keep them current by evaluating new analysis methods and software tools. Will be responsible for installing bioinformatics software, purchasing software licenses, managing data storage, and provisioning high-performance and cloud computing resources.
• Co-author publications and grant proposals and present results at conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Bioinformatics or related fields, with over 10 years of experience in high-throughput data analysis, is required.
• Must have significant experience in designing transcriptomics studies and performing bioinformatics analyses in gene expression profiling, pathway mapping, biomarker identification, and multi-omics data integration.
• A proven publication record in peer reviewed journals in the field is essential.
• Experience working in an academic laboratory or industry is required, with demonstrated management and coordination of data analysis workflows and experience supervising or mentoring analysts or trainees.
• Specific experience with bioinformatics analysis toolkits (e.g., Bioconductor and R packages, GATK, and single-cell analysis frameworks such as Seurat or Scanpy) and programs (e.g., IGV, IPA) are necessary, and proficiency in R and Python, workflow management tools (e.g., Nextflow or Snakemake), version control (e.g., Git), and Linux-based high-performance or cloud computing environments is required.
• The ability to work independently and to interact effectively with researchers across disciplines is essential, and excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Desired Qualifications

The ability to extract, manipulate, and integrate data from biological data repositories as well as the ability to prepare reference genome and annotation resources is strongly preferred.

A foundation in biomedical research in biology, neuroscience, or a related field is desired.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.