Bioinformatics Team Lead

Georgetown University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings

Tuition assistance

Work-life balance benefits

Employee discounts

Job summary

Georgetown University seeks a Bioinformatics Team Lead to guide algorithms and software tools for the NIH-funded UniProt Consortium project and related collaborations. You will oversee databases and application development, system design, and key informatics activities across UniRef production, ID mapping, bibliography, Peptide Search, and website maintenance.

The role emphasizes scalable, high-performance research software, collaboration with EMBL-EBI/SIB, and opportunities to publish and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science.
• Ten years of experience in bioinformatics software engineering.
• Ten years of experience developing software for PIR bioinformatics infrastructure (UniProt).
• Experience in C, C++, Perl, Python.
• Experience with database management (Oracle).
• Experience in bioinformatics databases, web apps and interfaces.
• Experience in AI/ML methods, HPC and cloud computing.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead bioinformatics and software engineering efforts for the UniProt Consortium project.
• Oversee algorithms, databases, and application development, including system design and implementation.
• Coordinate key informatics activities such as UniRef production, ID mapping, bibliography systems, Peptide Search, and website/FTP maintenance.
• Develop and improve bioinformatics tools and systems, including databases, analytics tools, web interfaces, workflows, scalability, and performance.
• Contribute to the scientific community through publications and presentations.

Skills

C++

Python

Perl

AI/ML methods

High-performance computing

Cloud computing

System administration

Independent work

Collaborative research

Education

Master’s degree in computer science

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Georgetown University comprises two unique campuses in the nation’s capital. With the Hilltop Campus located in the heart of the historic Georgetown neighborhood, and the Capitol Campus, just minutes from the U.S. Capitol and U.S. Supreme Court, Georgetown University offers rigorous academic programs, a global perspective, and unparalleled opportunities to engage with Washington, D.C. Our community is a close-knit group of remarkable individuals driven by intellectual inquiry, a commitment to social justice, and a shared dedication to making a difference in the world.

Requirements Job Overview

Under the limited direction of Dr. Cathy H. Wu, Professor of Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology and Director of Protein Information Resource, the Bioinformatics Team Lead will assume responsibilities for leading and developing novel algorithms and software tools supporting the NIH-funded UniProt Consortium project listed below, as well as collaborative projects being established. The candidate will be expected to work in a team environment, working closely with collaborating organizations.

UniProt: AI-Driven Scaling of Protein Knowledge for Biomedical Research 09/02/2026 – 08/31/2031, U24HG007822-13 $23,920,712 (total costs); GU-PIR Component: $4,276,115 MPI: Dr. Cathy Wu (contact PI), GU-PIR (Georgetown University-Protein Information Resource), USA; Dr. Alex Bateman, EMBL-EBI (European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute), UK; Dr. Paul Thomas, SIB (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics), Switzerland

• Lead bioinformatics and software engineering efforts for the UniProt Consortium project.
• Oversee algorithms, databases, and application development, including system design and implementation.
• Coordinate key informatics activities such as UniRef production, ID mapping, bibliography systems, Peptide Search, and website/FTP maintenance.
• Develop and improve bioinformatics tools and systems, including databases, analytics tools, web interfaces, workflows, scalability, and performance.
• Contribute to the scientific community through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and staying current with emerging technologies.

Work Interactions

This position serves as a technical and collaborative link among Georgetown University and external partners, working closely with bioinformatics and data curation colleagues at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), and the PIR curator team. The position coordinates and contributes to cross-institutional activities involving protein sequence databases, annotation, data curation, and bioinformatics services, and provides technical expertise for resolving complex data and infrastructure issues. Through these collaborations, the position influences the quality, interoperability, and reliability of resources used by researchers and the broader scientific community. The position supports Georgetown University’s mission in biomedical research, data science, and the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science
• A minimum of ten years of experience in bioinformatics software engineering
• A minimum of ten years of experience in developing software to support the PIR bioinformatics infrastructure for the UniProt project, including the parallelization, optimization and scaling of the UniRef clustering methods for database production in regular releases
• Extensive experience in programming with C, C++, Perl, Python
• Extensive experience in database management, including Oracle
• Extensive experience in bioinformatics databases, web applications, and web interface development
• Experience in advanced algorithm design, including artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) methods
• Experience in high-performance computing and cloud computing
• Experience in system administration and server maintenance
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team research environment
• Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific results for publications and/or presentations at relevant seminars and meetings
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and responsiveness
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to foster a collaborative work environment

Work Mode Designation

This position has been designated as Hybrid. Please note that work mode designations are regularly reviewed in order to meet the evolving needs of the University. Such review may necessitate a change to a position’s mode of work designation. Complete details about Georgetown University’s mode of work designations for staff positions can be found on the Department of Human Resources website: https://hr.georgetown.edu/mode-of-work-designation.

Pay Range:

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $54,616.00 - $100,493.33 Compensation is determined by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, as well as the University’s business needs and external factors.

EEO Statement

GU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, citizenship, color, disability, family responsibilities, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, matriculation, national origin, race, religion, personal appearance, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Benefits

Georgetown University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, retirement savings, tuition assistance, work-life balance benefits, employee discounts and an array of voluntary insurance options. You can learn more about benefits and eligibility on the Department of Human Resources website.

We’re a leading research university with a heart. Founded in the decade that the U.S. Constitution was signed, we’re the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today we’re a forward-looking, diverse community devoted to social justice, restless inquiry and respect for each person’s individual needs and talents. Grounded in our Jesuit, Catholic identity, the Spirit of Georgetown undergirds everything we do. Watch this video to learn more. Learn how HR CARES for faculty and staff, nurturing an environment of mutual respect where imaginations flourish and ideas are realized to positively impact the world.