Research Support Associate 1, Bioinformatics

Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences department invites a Research Support Associate 1 to contribute to the NSF STC project 'Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet' and collaborate with TMU researchers. You will develop bioinformatic workflows and analyze sequencing data to study microbial carbon cycling.

Responsibilities include applying metagenomic analyses, reconstructing phylogenetic trees, and summarizing results for publications and talks.

Qualifications

• Develop and improve bioinformatic workflows for metagenomic and comparative genomics.
• Analyze sequencing data from PacBio, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore.
• Reconstruct phylogenetic trees and summarize results for papers.
• Engage with C-CoMP, MIT, and TMU; meet supervisors regularly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve bioinformatic workflows for metagenomic and comparative genomics.
• Analyze sequencing data from PacBio, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore.
• Reconstruct phylogenetic trees and summarize results for publications.

Job description

RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSOCIATE 1

Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, to be a part of the larger research effort of the NSF Science & Technology Center “Chemical Currencies of a Microbial Planet” (https://ccomp-stc.org/) as well as a new collaboration with researchers in the Mathematics Department at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). The goal of this project is to use bioinformatics to understand the ecology and evolution of microbial metabolic pathways that drive organic matter cycling across diverse ecosystems. Specifically, the successful applicant will help develop and apply a novel metagenomic "biosensor" framework to investigate microbial carbon cycling in the ocean and translate this approach to studies of the gut microbiome in the context of colorectal cancer. Responsibilities will be adapted to the skills and interests of the successful applicant and will evolve with the project, but may include developing and improving bioinformatic workflows for metagenomic and comparative genomic analyses, analyzing next-generation sequencing data (e.g., PacBio, Illumina, and Oxford Nanopore), reconstructing and analyzing phylogenetic trees, and summarizing results for research papers and presentations. The position offers opportunities for publication in peer-reviewed research journals, and for engaging with the broader academic and research community, including at C-CoMP, MIT and TMU. Candidate will be expected to meet regularly with supervisors and engage with the broader research community where appropriate.