Casual Computational Research Assistant

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); Remote; USD 57,308,000 - 63,039,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plans

Job summary

The Computational Research Assistant at the University of Minnesota will support development, testing, validation, and documentation of computational tools for clinical and research genomics. The role emphasizes implementing design specifications, data integration, analysis workflows, and visualization components with AI-assisted software-development tools.

Applicants should be enrolled in an appropriate degree program and able to work remotely most of the time, with flexible scheduling around

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in computer science, data science, biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with genetics, genomics, or genomic data.
• Familiarity with GitHub or similar version-control and collaborative-development tools.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted coding or software-development tools.
• Ability to independently implement work from detailed written specifications.
• Ability to systematically test work, identify problems, and document results.
• Ability to communicate clearly about technical and scientific work in a remote working environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement and Test Computational Genomics Software using AI-assisted development tools and valid design specifications.
• Develop and refine components of a unified genomics data and visualization platform.
• Integrate genomic information from multiple clinical and research sources into common data structures and queryable databases.
• Develop and refine graphical interfaces and visualization tools for reviewing and interpreting genomic findings.

Skills

Genomics familiarity

GitHub

AI-assisted coding

Independent work

Education

Undergrad/grad degree in CS/data science/biology/genetics/bioinformatics

Tools

GitHub or similar VCS

AI-assisted development tools

Job description

About the Job

The Computational Research Assistant will support the development, testing, validation, and documentation of computational tools for clinical and research genomics within the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. The position will primarily implement established design specifications for genomic data integration, analysis, querying, and visualization using modern computational and AI-assisted software-development tools. The role requires familiarity with genomics, careful attention to scientific and clinical requirements, the ability to work independently using written specifications, and effective documentation and communication.

Work Arrangement

The position is expected to work remotely more than 50% of the time. Your dedicated office space will be in your remote work location.

The Department retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.

Work Schedule

Approximately 10 hours per week on average, with a flexible schedule arranged around academic commitments and project needs.

Responsibilities

• 60% - Implement and Test Computational Genomics Software
  • Implement software from established design specifications using AI-assisted development tools and other appropriate computational resources.
  • Develop and refine components of a unified genomics data and visualization platform.
  • Integrate genomic information from multiple clinical and research sources into common data structures and queryable databases.
  • Implement analysis and visualization workflows for repeat expansions, chromosome and cytogenetic findings, FISH results, whole-genome sequencing variants, and copy-number variants from genomic arrays.
  • Develop and refine graphical interfaces and visualization tools for reviewing and interpreting genomic findings.
  • Use GitHub for version control, issue tracking, code review, and management of project artifacts.
  • Test software implementations and correct identified defects.
• 20% - Validate Genomic Analyses and Software
  • Evaluate computational tools using representative genomic and clinical datasets.
  • Compare software output with expected results, reference data, and established interpretations.
  • Perform systematic testing of genomic data-processing, querying, and visualization workflows.
  • Identify discrepancies, edge cases, and limitations and communicate findings to the project team.
  • Support validation of repeat-expansion analysis and other genomic interpretation workflows before broader clinical or research use.
• 10% - Document Software, Decisions, and Results
  • Maintain clear documentation describing software behavior, data structures, workflows, testing procedures, and known limitations.
  • Record important implementation decisions and changes to established specifications.
  • Prepare concise summaries of completed work, unresolved issues, and recommended next steps.
  • Maintain sufficient documentation to allow other laboratory personnel to continue development and testing.
• 10% - Coordinate with the Research and Clinical Team
  • Meet with the supervisor and project collaborators as needed to review specifications, progress, and results.
  • Incorporate feedback from computational, laboratory, and clinical collaborators into software implementations.
  • Communicate technical problems, unexpected findings, and questions requiring scientific or clinical decisions.
  • Coordinate work with related computational genomics projects within the laboratory.

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.

Required Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in computer science, data science, biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or a related field. Enrollment may be outside the University of Minnesota at a different institution
• Familiarity with genetics, genomics, or genomic data.
• Familiarity with GitHub or similar version-control and collaborative-development tools.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted coding or software-development tools.
• Ability to independently implement work from detailed written specifications.
• Ability to systematically test work, identify problems, and document results.
• Ability to communicate clearly about technical and scientific work in a remote working environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with biomedical research.
• Interest in clinical genomics, molecular pathology, or computational pathology.
• Experience working with genomic sequence, cytogenetic, or other molecular laboratory data.
• Experience using large language models or other AI-assisted tools for software development, analysis, or documentation.
• Familiarity with databases, data visualization, or graphical software interfaces.
• Experience contributing to collaborative projects using GitHub.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $20-$22/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.