Senior Research Associate, Computational Biology

Colossal Biosciences; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Colossal Biosciences seeks a Senior Research Associate in computational biology to tackle genotype-to-phenotype questions and integrate multi-omics data to support de-extinction efforts. The role collaborates with scientists and engineers to perform bioinformatics analyses across genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

Preferred candidates hold a Masters and have experience integrating diverse omics modalities using functional annotations.

Qualifications

• Two years of bioinformatics experience in Functional Genomics / Multi-Omics, Comparative Genomics, Molecular Evolution, or Applied Statistics in Genomics.
• Capability to validate outputs of complex integrative analyses across multiple biological levels.
• 2+ years scripting experience: Python, R, Perl, Ruby, Java, and BASH.
• Write and run custom bioinformatics scripts using published tools and summarize results for reporting.
• Proficiency with large-scale genomic data in HPC Linux or cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).
• Experience with GIT version control and reproducible notebooks/workflows.
• Ability to design and maintain databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB) and connect with visualization platforms.
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, able to work under pressure and deadlines.
• Willingness to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities.
• Strong written and oral communication and problem-solving skills.
• Thrives in a fast-paced startup environment and collaborates across teams.

Responsibilities

• Run data analyses with biological data and interpret results.
• Perform comparative, functional, and statistical genomics analyses.
• Develop new R/Python tools for data analysis and visualization.
• Maintain electronic lab records and present findings to wet-lab biologists and leadership.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Multi-Omics

Python

R

BASH

Git

Cloud/AWS

HPC/SLURM

Data visualization

Communication

Education

Master's degree or higher in quantitative or basic science

Tools

AWS

Google Cloud

Azure

MySQL

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Job description

An affiliate of Colossal is seeking a talented Senior Research Associate in computational biology with strong analytical skills to tackle challenging genotype-to-phenotype questions. The successful candidate will collaborate with scientists and engineers to perform bioinformatics analyses and integrate genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets to support Colossal Bioscience’s de-extinction efforts. The candidate must have experience in bioinformatics or computational biology.

Preference will be given to candidates with a Masters degree who have experience analyzing and integrating diverse omics modalities (e.g., genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) using functional annotations and ontologies in the context of data-sparse or non-model organisms.

This position will be based on-site in Dallas, TX. Relocation assistance is available.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Run data analysis with biological data
• Run comparative, functional, and statistical genomics analysis
• Develop new tools in R/Python for data analysis and visualization
• Maintain electronic laboratory records and prepare reports or presentations to communicate findings to wet-bench biologists and leadership

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Two years of bioinformatics experience in the following areas: Functional Genomics / Multi-Omics, Comparative Genomics, Molecular Evolution, or Applied Statistics in Genomics.
• Capable of leveraging knowledge across multiple levels of biological organization to validate the outputs of complex, integrative analyses.
• Demonstrated 2 years of experience with scripting languages, including but not limited to: Python, R, Perl, Ruby, Java, and BASH.
• Ability to write and run custom bioinformatics scripts using existing published tools and occasionally tools developed to summarize the results in a digestible manner and deliver the information using established reporting procedures.
• Proficiency with handling large-scale genomic data in an HPC (SGE, SLURM, PBS) Linux and/or cloud environment (e.g. AWS, Google Cloud, Azure).
• Experience in using GIT version control software and maintaining well-documented, reproducible notebooks and workflows.
• Ability to design and maintain databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB) and connect with visual platforms to curate and share data with non-bioinformatics team members.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail oriented, along with the ability to perform well under pressure and deadlines
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and taking on new responsibilities
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as creative problem-solving skills
• Able to excel in a fast-paced startup environment and participate in team-driven science

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Executing rigorous analyses of diverse functional epigenomics approaches (e.g., RNA-seq and ATAC-seq) and integrating multi-omics datasets to aid in understanding of gene expression regulation
• Constructing, interpreting, and utilizing pangenome graphs, whole genome alignments, and gene homology relationships
• Familiarity in producing and curating genomic resources (e.g., reference genomes and gene annotations) for vertebrate organisms, especially in non-traditional model systems.
• Experience calling germline and somatic sequence variants from high-coverage WGS, low-coverage WGS with imputation, and sequencing libraries from degraded or ancient DNA
• Understanding of precision gene editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 systems

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors with 2 years of experience or Masters in quantitative or basic science (computer science, computational biology, bioinformatics, chemistry, physics, or mathematics preferred) is required

What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Company matched 401k retirement plan
• Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
• Education reimbursement
• An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state

The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices.

Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.

Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive.

EEO is the Law

Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house.

Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:

• #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
• 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
• 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Built In 2026 Award Lists

Great Place to Work Certification Page

Most Loved Workplace Certification Page - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals.

Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek’s 2024 Most Loved Workplaces!