Bioinformaticist - Gastroenterology/Hepatology

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 22 days vacation

Tuition remission for you and family

Metro U-Pass for eligible employees

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis seeks motivated scientists to join an interdisciplinary HBV research program in the Schwartz Laboratory.

You will design and implement omics-data algorithms, analyze large datasets, and help advance understanding of viral persistence and potential cures. Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s and preferably a Master’s or PhD with at least four years of research experience, and strong skills in data management, statistics, and computational biology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Preferred: Master's or PhD in a related field.
• 4+ years of research experience.

Responsibilities

• Designs, develops, and implements algorithms and software for omics data.
• Manage and analyze large data sets to aid storage, investigation, and dissemination.
• Lead independent research projects with protocols for data collection and verification.
• Perform complex data analysis and write interpretative reports.
• Evaluate bioinformatics software used in research.
• Train researchers on analysis software and databases.
• Assist with grant preparation and reporting of methods, data, and results.
• Troubleshoot equipment or testing methods and propose improvements.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Big Data Processing

Bioinformatics Tools

Communication

Computational Biology

Critical Reasoning

Data Management

Java

Python

Perl

Machine Learning

Statistics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or PhD

Tools

Bioinformatics Tools

Java

Python

Perl

Job description

Location

SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Assists in developing and conducting research projects, including experiment design, data analysis, and documentation of experiment results. The Schwartz Laboratory in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is seeking motivated and creative scientists to join our interdisciplinary research program investigating the biology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the mechanisms that allow the virus to establish and maintain chronic infection. Our long-term goal is to understand the complex interactions between HBV and its host that drive viral persistence and to use these insights to identify new strategies toward a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B, which remains a major global health challenge and an important cause of liver related morbidity and mortality. Our laboratory has a strong history of developing innovative human models of viral infection. We were among the first groups to establish hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infection models using stem cell-derived hepatocytes, and we have continued to combine these systems with primary human hepatocytes, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and genetically distinct HBV clones to dissect the host and viral factors that determine infection and persistence. Recent work from the laboratory, published in Cell, identified a nucleosome-level molecular switch that primes and influences HBV infection (10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.033.).

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Designs, Develops, And Implements:

• Algorithms and computer software for omics-based data sets [high-throughput, massively parallel genomic/proteomic/clinical.]
• Data management and analysis solutions that aid in the storage, investigation, and dissemination of large data sets.
• Independent research projects, including design of research protocols and development of procedures for the collection, verification, and management of data.
• Performs complex systems analysis of data and writes interpretative reports.
• Evaluates commercial and academic bioinformatics software.
• Trains other researchers on the everyday use of analysis software and research databases.
• Assists with grant preparation and reporting of methods, data, and results.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulties with equipment or test subjects; suggests technical or procedural improvements in testing methods.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal Office Environment

Physical Effort

• Typically Sitting at a desk or table

Equipment

• Office Equipment

Education:

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience

Research (4 Years)

Skills

Not Applicable

Driver's License

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Education:

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree, Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy

Certifications/Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills

Analytical Thinking, Big Data Processing, Bioinformatics Tools, Communication, Complex Data Analysis, Computational Biology, Critical Reasoning, Data Management, Discrete Mathematics, Group Problem Solving, Java (Programming Language), Machine Learning (ML), Perl Programming, Probabilistic Modeling, Python (Programming Language), Statistics

Grade

R11

Salary Range

$55,200.00 - $100,000.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.