Computational Biology Sr. Analyst

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago seeks a Computational Biology Sr. Analyst to assist the Computational Oncology Core with biological data analysis. The Sr.

Analyst will utilize computational tools to process, transform, visualize, and analyze datasets primarily derived from high-throughput experiments. We seek a highly motivated computational biologist to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative computational algorithms and approaches to

Qualifications

• MS degree in computer science and bioinformatics.
• 2–5 years of experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Proficiency in R and Python; Unix/Linux environments.
• Experience with high-throughput genomics data (RNA-seq, NGS, WES, Hi-C).

Responsibilities

• Applies and develops computational and bioinformatics approaches to process, analyze, interpret, and visualize complex oncology and biological datasets.
• Develops, implements, and maintains bioinformatics workflows and pipelines to support cancer research and other computational biology projects.
• Uses R, Python, and other applicable computational tools to perform statistical analyses, data processing, visualization, and interpretation.
• Collaborates with investigators and multidisciplinary team members to define analytic requirements and develop approaches.
• Maintains documentation of methods, code, pipelines, and data processing procedures.

Skills

Python

R

Analytical thinking

Collaborative

Education

MS degree in computer science or bioinformatics

Tools

Python

Perl

Unix/Linux

Cloud HPC

Job description

About The Department

Department

BSD CCC - Computational Oncology Unit

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 200 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $51million in total direct costs in peer‑reviewed cancer research grants, and $24 million in non‑peer‑reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, marketing and communications, fundraising, data analytics, clinical trials management, and community outreach and engagement.

The UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area, with more than 450 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator‑initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC's commitment to translating basic research findings to the clinic through proof‑of‑principle and early‑phase studies. UCCCC opens over 130 new trials each year and accrues approximately 800 participants to therapeutic trials each year.

Job Summary

The University of Chicago's Computational Oncology Unit seeks a Computational Biology Sr. Analyst to assist the Computational Oncology Core with biological data analysis. The Sr. Analyst will utilize computational tools to process, transform, visualize, and analyze datasets primarily derived from high‑throughput experiments. We seek a highly motivated computational biologist to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative computational algorithms and approaches to address crucial questions in cancer biology. The role will involve administering programs and supporting all phases of computational biology activities by devising or modifying procedures to solve complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Applies and develops computational and bioinformatics approaches to process, analyze, interpret, and visualize complex oncology and biological datasets.
• Develops, implements, and maintains bioinformatics workflows and pipelines to support cancer research and other computational biology projects. Evaluates existing approaches and modifies methods as needed to address specific research questions and data requirements.
• Uses R, Python, and other applicable computational tools to perform statistical analyses, data processing, visualization, and interpretation of oncology and biological data.
• Develops and applies algorithms, computational methods, and software solutions to identify, characterize, and classify biological features, patterns, and relationships within complex datasets.
• Implements, modifies, and supports web‑based bioinformatics tools and computational applications. Troubleshoots technical issues and identifies opportunities to improve functionality, efficiency, and usability.
• Collaborates with investigators, computational scientists, research staff, and other multidisciplinary team members to understand research objectives, define analytic requirements, and develop appropriate computational approaches.
• Supports the interpretation and communication of analytic results through the development of figures, visualizations, summaries, and other materials for research presentations, manuscripts, reports, and related scientific activities.
• Performs quality control and validation of computational analyses, workflows, and outputs to support data accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility.
• Maintains clear documentation of computational methods, code, pipelines, data processing procedures, and analytic outputs in accordance with established research and data management practices.
• Stays current with emerging computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science methods and evaluates their potential application to ongoing oncology research.
• Participates in creating data algorithms and specialized computer software to identify and classify components of a biological system (i.e. DNA and protein sequences).
• Interprets data analysis of high throughput genomics, proteomics and genetic data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree in computer science and bioinformatics.

Experience

• Experience using Python, Perl, or other programming languages for computational biology, bioinformatics, or biological data analysis.
• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments and utilizing cloud or high‑performance computing resources.
• Experience analyzing high‑throughput genomic datasets, including RNA sequencing, next‑generation sequencing (NGS), whole‑exome sequencing (WES), or Hi‑C data.
• Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining bioinformatics workflows and computational pipelines.
• Experience with imaging informatics or analysis of imaging‑related datasets.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex biological data and develop appropriate computational approaches.
• Proficiency in applicable programming and statistical analysis tools, including R and Python.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics methods, computational biology principles, and genomic data analysis.
• Knowledge of Unix/Linux environments and cloud or high‑performance computing resources.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to develop, validate, document, and maintain accurate and reproducible computational workflows.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with investigators, computational scientists, and multidisciplinary research teams.

Working Conditions

• Office and research environment.
• Requires extended periods of computer work and data analysis.
• Requires the ability to work on multiple computational and research projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• May require occasional attendance at research meetings, presentations, or collaborative activities outside of the regular work location.
• May require flexibility to meet research, project, or publication deadlines.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (preferred)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$65,000.00 - $90,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.