Computational Biologist

Tufts University; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 74,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University’s Allen Discovery Center seeks a computational biologist to lead high‑dimensional data analyses from limb regeneration studies in mouse and Xenopus. The role emphasizes single-cell and bulk RNA-seq, integrating data across experiments to drive biological insights.

The successful candidate will collaborate with wet-lab scientists, implement analytical workflows, and contribute to manuscripts and grants. Strong coding and visualization skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with at least 1 year of relevant experience or a Master's with at least 5 years in computational biology or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data.
• Advanced proficiency in R and/or Python, with strong statistics and experimental design.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with experimental scientists.
• Evidence of contributions to peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and interpretation of high-dimensional datasets, focusing on single-cell and bulk RNA-seq.
• Develop reproducible pipelines for scRNA-seq and related datasets, including QC and differential expression.
• Collaborate with experimentalists to ensure rigorous study design and appropriate power calculations.
• Adapt tools and create new methods; maintain code in Python and/or R with version control.
• Integrate molecular data with imaging and phenotypic outcomes; create publication-quality figures.

Skills

Single-cell data analysis

Genomics

Biostatistics

R

Python

Data visualization

Experimental design

Education

Ph.D. in computational biology or related field

Master's degree + 5+ years experience

Tools

Python

R

Git

Job description

Overview

The Allen Discovery Center is dedicated to advancing basic biology and biomedicine through integrated molecular, genetic, biophysical, computational, and engineering approaches to understand and control biological form and function. The Morphogenesis and Regeneration Group investigates mechanisms of limb regeneration and regenerative biology using mouse and Xenopus models, with the goal of identifying principles and interventions that improve tissue repair, patterning, and functional regeneration.

What You'll Do

We are seeking an experienced computational biologist to support the Morphogenesis and Regeneration Group's studies of limb regeneration and regenerative biology in mouse and Xenopus models. Reporting to PI Michael Levin and working collaboratively alongside other senior scientists and team members, this individual will lead the design, analysis, and interpretation of high-dimensional datasets, with particular emphasis on single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. The position will partner closely with experimental researchers to ensure that studies are statistically rigorous, appropriately powered, and structured to answer defined biological questions. The successful candidate will implement established analytical workflows, develop new computational approaches when existing tools are insufficient, integrate data across experiments and species, and communicate findings through clear visualizations, reports, presentations, and manuscripts. Familiarity with wet-laboratory molecular biology workflows is important for effective experimental design and interpretation, such as RNA purification, library prep, single cell isolation, in-situ hybridization, and antibody staining.

In this role, additional responsibilities include participating in teaching, research, and mentoring including providing research guidance to graduate students or postdoctoral scholars.

• Genomic and single-cell data analysis Develop and execute reproducible pipelines for single-cell RNA-seq, bulk RNA-seq, and related genomic datasets. Perform quality control, normalization, clustering, differential expression, trajectory, pathway, cell-cell communication, and cross-species analyses as appropriate.
• Experimental design and biostatistics Collaborate with scientists before data collection to define hypotheses, sampling plans, replicate structure, covariates, and statistical approaches. Select and document appropriate methods for significance testing, multiple-comparison correction, batch effects, and large or nested datasets.
• Computational method and tool development Adapt established tools and develop new scripts, workflows, or analytical methods when existing approaches do not adequately address the biological question. Maintain version-controlled, documented, and reusable code in Python and/or R.
• Data integration, interpretation, and visualization Integrate molecular data with imaging, phenotypic, treatment, developmental-stage, and regeneration outcomes. Generate publication-quality figures and concise scientific summaries for internal decision-making.
• Scientific collaboration and wet-lab interface Advise on sample collection, RNA purification, library preparation, single-cell isolation, in situ hybridization, and antibody-staining workflows. Participate in project meetings and help translate analytical findings into follow-up experiments.
• Documentation and dissemination Maintain organized analytical records and data provenance. Contribute to manuscripts, grant reports, presentations, and shared protocols.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Ph.D. with at least 1year of relevant experience, OR a Master's degree with at least 5 years of experience in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, genomics, systems biology, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data
• Advanced proficiency in R and/or Python. Strong grounding in statistics, experimental design, reproducible analysis, and scientific data visualization
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with experimental scientists
• Evidence of contributions to peer-reviewed publications is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. Degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, genomics, systems biology or related field
• Experience with regenerative biology, developmental biology, limb biology, mouse or Xenopus datasets, spatial transcriptomics (highly desired), multi-omics integration, image analysis, workflow managers, high-performance computing, or cloud computing
• Wet-laboratory experience with RNA purification, library preparation, single-cell isolation, in situ hybridization, or immunostaining is strongly preferred

Pay Range

Minimum $74,000.00, Midpoint $92,500.00, Maximum $111,000.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.