Medical Research Tech III - Bioinformatics Tech

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Wellness programs

Mother-friendly workplace

Job summary

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX is seeking a laboratory support specialist to assist the PI in research, develop new procedures, and foster a collaborative environment for scientific progress.

You will perform work independently, analyze large DNA datasets with R/Python, train students, and help maintain lab safety and equipment. A science degree or equivalent experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science field or 4 years of related experience.
• Experience substitutable for college education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience with large-scale genomic data analysis preferred.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing and promoting laboratory safety.
• Perform bioinformatic analyses of large DNA datasets.
• Use R to analyze large DNA datasets.
• Train students and staff in procedures, talks, grants and publications.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, data graphs and records.
• Supervise lab support activities and equipment upkeep.
• Maintain essential lab equipment and safety records.

Skills

Bioinformatics

RNA-Seq analysis

R programming

Python scripting

Data visualization

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Equivalent experience

Tools

Linux/MacOS CLI

Jupyter notebooks

Slurm

Git version control

Cloud computing

Job description

Position Description

Employees in this classification provide support in an assigned research laboratory conducting specified phases of research projects and assist the P.I. in maintaining a supportive and collegial working environment that fosters exchange of ideas and enhances scientific progress. You will perform work independently and are responsible for developing new procedures and techniques to be utilized in the laboratory and in experiments, and new applications for standard procedures and techniques. Work is performed under usual laboratory conditions. Some hazards may be present due to use of radioactive, carcinogenic or other potentially harmful substances. Responsibilities also include ensuring overall cleanliness of the laboratory and laboratory equipment, and ordering and maintaining an adequate stock of necessary supplies. May instruct or direct work of subordinate laboratory personnel.

Employees in this classification provide support in an assigned research laboratory conducting specified phases of research projects and assist the P.I. in maintaining a supportive and collegial working environment that fosters exchange of ideas and enhances scientific progress. You will perform work independently and are responsible for developing new procedures and techniques to be utilized in the laboratory and in experiments, and new applications for standard procedures and techniques. Work is performed under usual laboratory conditions. Some hazards may be present due to use of radioactive, carcinogenic or other potentially harmful substances. Responsibilities also include ensuring overall cleanliness of the laboratory and laboratory equipment, and ordering and maintaining an adequate stock of necessary supplies. May instruct or direct work of subordinate laboratory personnel.

Major/Essential Functions

• Assist the Laboratory Manager and P.I. in managing and promoting laboratory safety.


• Perform bioinformatic analyses of large DNA datasets; for example, RNA-sequence and 3’-end RNA sequence data from wild-type and mutant mouse samples.


• Use the ‘R’ programming environment to analyze large DNA datasets.


• Collaborate with P.I, students, and other technical personnel in training new students, postdocs and other investigators in various scientific procedures such as preparation of talks, grants and publications.


• Maintain a record of experiments in a laboratory notebook, including detailed methodology, calculations, data graphs, images of protein blots (“Westerns”), interpretations of data, and indications of errors or unexpected outcomes.


• Supervise lab support activities such as dishwashing, ordering, cleaning, autoclaving solutions and stuffing pipette tip boxes) by student assistants and provide these services when student assistants are absent.


• Help maintain essential laboratory equipment (check -80° and -20° freezer temperatures) and records (animal use and breeding colony records, material safety data sheets, biohazardous materials and order invoices).

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in one of the sciences, or equivalent combination (4 years) of job-related experience and college education. Experience may be substituted for college education on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, mathematics, computer science/ engineering or data science.


• Experience analyzing large-scale genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic data, such as RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq, multivariate statistical analysis, bioinformatics and data visualization.


• Experience with Linux/MacOS command line (file management and automation; system monitoring and troubleshooting);Experience with R & Python (data wrangling and visualization), cloud/high performance and computing (cluster management, e.g., Slurm and parallel computing); Experience with data analysis and documentation (e.g., Jupiter notebooks and code annotation); Version control; Pipeline development and testing.


• Experience and/or knowledge with RNA-Seq technologies; familiarity with scientific equipment, working with advanced instrumentation.

Required Attachments

Resume / CV

Benefits

TTUHSC is committed to creating an environment where our team members can do their best work, with programs and benefits to support head-to-toe well-being. Explore just a few of the advantages of being a TTUHSC team member:

• Health Plans + Supplemental Coverage Options – Individual health insurance provided at no cost for full-time team members


• Paid Time Off – Including holidays, vacation, sick leave and more


• Retirement Plans


• Wellness Programs


• Certified Mother-Friendly Workplace

Additionally, TTUHSC invests in the success of our team members by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, including lifelong learning programs, recognition programs, and health and wellness initiatives. Team members also enjoy a variety of other perks, such as special membership rates at local gyms and golf courses, access to state-of-the‑art software and facilities, and discounts on travel, technology, entertainment and more.