Bioinformatics Scientist

Axle Labs; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision coverage for

Paid time off and holidays

401K match up to 5%

Educational benefits for career growth

Employee referral bonus

Flexible spending accounts: Healthcare

Parking reimbursement account

Dependent care assistant program

Transportation reimbursement account

Job summary

Axle Labs, Bethesda, MD, seeks a Bioinformatics Scientist to join NIH/NIAID/DIR/RTB/IDSS at NIH in Bethesda to advance translational research through data science and informatics.

The role focuses on designing and applying high‑throughput genome-scale analyses, building production pipelines, and contributing to publications. Strong NGS, scripting, and cloud/on‑premise pipeline experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Security clearance.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
• 4+ years of experience in bioinformatics
• 2+ years of experience developing and maintaining production bioinformatics pipelines
• Expert in two of the following languages: Python, R, C/C++, sh/bash
• Experience building images using Docker, Podman, Singularity/Apptainer
• Expert in one pipeline framework: Snakemake, Nextflow, CWL/WDL
• Experience building pipelines locally on-premise using HPC infrastructure
• Experience building pipelines/applications in the Cloud with AWS/GCP/Azure is a plus
• Experience with Django/Flask/RShiny/Electron/Flutter/React is a plus
• Experience in a laboratory setting is a plus

Responsibilities

• Address bioinformatics, scientific computing, and data analysis needs for DIR at NIAID; design statistical experiments for high-throughput genome-scale technologies.
• Provide bioinformatics support including variant calling, gene expression analysis, de novo assembly, and comparative genomics.
• Develop high-throughput pipelines for analyzed data modalities and troubleshoot dissemination of research data.
• Perform computational data analysis on genomic and clinical research data.
• Work with staff on scientific programming and experimental design; provide statistical support/analysis.
• Contribute to and co-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Develop scalable resources to provide NGS bioinformatics, structural biology, and ML data support to NIAID scientists.
• Strong skills in NGS analysis, statistical modeling, scripting, and biological interpretation.

Skills

NGS analysis

Statistical modeling

Scripting

Biological interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s or Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Docker

Podman

Singularity/Apptainer

Snakemake

Nextflow

CWL/WDL

Django/Flask/RShiny

Job description

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision‑making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a highly ambitious, adaptable, structured, and detail-oriented Bioinformatics Scientist to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), Research Technologies Branch (RTB), Integrated Data Sciences Section (IDSS) in Bethesda, MD.

Benefits We Offer:

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Responsibilities:

• Address bioinformatics, scientific computing, and data analysis needs of users within the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) at NIAID and their collaborators by lending expertise in the proper statistical design of biological experiments involving high-throughput genome-scale technologies, data mining and knowledge discovery techniques, automated workflow development, statistical and scientific experimental design consulting.
• Provide bioinformatics support to include somatic and germline variant calling and analysis, single-cell and bulk gene expression analysis, de novo assembly of genomes and transcriptomes, comparative genomics of model and non-model organisms, proteomics, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and the development of high-throughput pipelines for the analysis of the above data modalities.
• Provide programming and troubleshooting support to the Research Technologies Branch (RTB) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and collaborating Institutes in the dissemination of research data.
• Perform computational data analysis on genomic and clinical research data.
• Work with staff on scientific programming and experimental design. Provide statistical support/analysis on research data.
• Contribute to and co-author scientific publications in leading peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to the development of a scalable and flexible resource to provide NGS bioinformatics, structural biological and computational, machine learning data support to NIAID scientists and investigators.
• It is expected that the bioinformatics scientist will need strong skills in the following:
  • NGS analysis (whole-exome, whole-genome, RNA-seq, ChIP-Seq, both long- and short-read technologies, etc.)
  • Statistical modeling
  • Scripting
  • Biological interpretation

Specific Qualifications:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Security clearance
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related field, Master’s or Ph.D. preferred
• 4+ years of experience in bioinformatics
• 2+ years of experience developing and maintaining production bioinformatics pipelines
• Expert in two (2) of the following languages: Python, R, C/C++, sh/bash
• Experience building images using one (1) of the following: Docker, Podman, Singularity/Apptainer
• Expert in one (1) pipeline framework: Snakemake, Nextflow, CWL/WDL
• Expertise building technical and user documentation for tools, pipelines, and applications
• Experience building pipelines locally on‑premise using available HPC infrastructure
• Experience building pipelines/applications in the Cloud with AWS/GCP/Azure is a plus
• Experience building applications using one (1) of the following frameworks is a plus: Django, Flask, RShiny, Electron, Flutter, React
• Experience working in a laboratory setting is a plus but not required

Disclaimer:

The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axles employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [e-mail]

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $130,000 USD