Bioinformatics Research Assistant (Contingent II - Grant Funded)

Bowie State University; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowie State University’s Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics invites applications for a Bioinformatics Research Assistant (Contingent II - GrantFunded) to support biomedical research on cancer and mitochondrial genetics through computational analyses of large datasets.

You will work with the PI and students, develop pipelines, mentor undergraduates, manage Unix/Linux workflows, and help prepare reports and presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology, Data Science or related fields with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Genomics, Data Science, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience performing computational analyses of biological or genomic data.
• Proficiency with Unix/Linux operating systems and command-line environments.
• Experience with scripting or programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, Perl, or related languages.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team.

Responsibilities

• Perform bioinformatics and computational analyses of genomic and other large-scale biological datasets related to cancer and mitochondrial genetics research.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize data analysis workflows and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Assist with data management, quality control, statistical analysis, visualization, and interpretation of research findings.
• Support the preparation of research reports, scientific presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related documentation.
• Participate in collaborative research activities with faculty, students, and external research partners.
• Manage software installations and computational resources within Unix/Linux environments and troubleshoot technical issues as needed.
• Maintain accurate research records, documentation, and data management procedures.
• Assist with laboratory and project operations as necessary to support grant objectives.

Skills

Unix/Linux

Python

R

Perl

Data analysis

Genomics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics or related

Master's degree in Bioinformatics or related (preferred)

Job description

Job Posting:

JR102264 Bioinformatics Research Assistant (Contingent II - GrantFunded)) (Open)

Department:

BSU Natural Sciences, JM

Position Type:

Non-Regular Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Open Date:

11-03-2026

Close Date:

$49,582

Job Description:

Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Bowie StateUniversity seeks a highly motivated Bioinformatics ResearchTechnician to support biomedical research focused on understandingthe molecular mechanisms underlying disease phenotypes in cancerand identifying associations between disease phenotypes andmitochondrial genetic variation. This grant-funded position offersthe opportunity to contribute to innovative genomics researchthrough computational analysis of large-scale biological datasetswhile working in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinaryresearch environment.

The Bioinformatics Research Assistant will work closely with thePrincipal Investigator (PI), undergraduate researchers, andcollaborators to support bioinformatics analyses, managecomputational workflows, and contribute to research disseminationactivities. A major component of this position involves training,mentoring, and supporting undergraduate researchers, particularlystudents from groups historically underrepresented in STEMdisciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Perform bioinformatics and computational analyses of genomicand other large-scale biological datasets related to cancer andmitochondrial genetics research.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize data analysis workflows andbioinformatics pipelines.
• Assist with data management, quality control, statisticalanalysis, visualization, and interpretation of researchfindings.
• Support the preparation of research reports, scientificpresentations, manuscripts, and grant-related documentation.
• Participate in collaborative research activities with faculty,students, and external research partners.
• Manage software installations and computational resourceswithin Unix/Linux environments and troubleshoot technical issues asneeded.
• Maintain accurate research records, documentation, and datamanagement procedures.
• Assist with laboratory and project operations as necessary tosupport grant objectives.

A core responsibility of this position is the mentorship andtraining of undergraduate researchers.

Responsibilities include:

• Training undergraduate students in bioinformatics,computational biology, and research best practices.
• Providing technical guidance on data analysis methods, softwaretools, and computational workflows.
• Supporting student participation in research projects,presentations, and scholarly activities.
• Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative learningenvironment for students from diverse educational, cultural, andsocioeconomic backgrounds.
• Contributing to the development of a research culture thatpromotes student success, scientific curiosity, and persistence inSTEM fields.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology,Biology, Data Science or related fields with a minimum of two (2)years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree inBioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Genomics,Data Science, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience performing computational analyses ofbiological or genomic data.
• Proficiency with Unix/Linux operating systems and command-lineenvironments.
• Experience with scripting or programming languages commonlyused in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, Perl, or relatedlanguages.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solvingskills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.Ability to work independently while contributing effectivelywithin a collaborative research team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• analysis tools.
• Experience using high-performance computing (HPC)environments.
• Familiarity with workflow management systems and reproducibleresearch practices.
• Experience with statistical genetics, genomics, mitochondrialgenetics, cancer genomics, or related research areas.
• Experience mentoring, teaching, or training undergraduatestudents.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students fromunderrepresented and diverse backgrounds in STEM.
• Evidence of research productivity, including scientificpresentations, publications, or other scholarly contributions.

Conditions of Employment:

• Not Currently Available

Additional Job Information:

Additional Job Information:

Conditions of Employment:

• This position is funded in whole or in part through an externalrestricted funding source designated specifically for this researchproject. Continued employment is contingent upon the availabilityof grant funding and the continuation of the project's approvedscope.
• Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required tosupport student research activities, project deadlines,conferences, or grant-related events.

Additional Job Information:

Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-termdisability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and lifeinsurance; paid time for paid sick leave and annual leave; 10 paidholidays per year, tuition remission and supplementalretirement.

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against anyindividual based on race, color, religion, age, ancestry ornational origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, maritalstatus or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities ofBowie State University are and shall be in conformity with allpertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including,but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asamended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the EqualPay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with DisabilitiesAct of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B ofthe Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in allareas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.

Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shallbe extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have asits firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring,rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention anddismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. TheUniversity will stress equal access for employees and applicantsfor employment to all programs and services provided by theUniversity both on and off campus. The University will also provideequal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination withrespect to women and members of minority groups in all itsoperations. In addition, the University shall promote equalopportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuingAffirmative Action Program.

The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonableaccommodations to promote the employment of qualified individualswith disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodationswould impose an undue hardship on the University's business.

In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected toharassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discriminationbecause they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activitiessuch as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in aninvestigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act orpractice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected bySection 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or theVietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, asamended.

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against anyindividual based on race, color, religion, age, ancestry ornational origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, maritalstatus or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities ofBowie State University are and shall be in conformity with allpertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including,but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asamended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the EqualPay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with DisabilitiesAct of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B ofthe Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in allareas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.

Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shallbe extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have asits firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring,rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention anddismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. TheUniversity will stress equal access for employees and applicantsfor employment to all programs and services provided by theUniversity both on and off campus. The University will also provideequal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination withrespect to women and members of minority groups in all itsoperations. In addition, the University shall promote equalopportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuingAffirmative Action Program.

The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonableaccommodations to promote the employment of qualified individualswith disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodationswould impose an undue hardship on the University's business.

In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected toharassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discriminationbecause they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activitiessuch as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in aninvestigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act orpractice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected bySection 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or theVietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, asamended.