Senior Bioinformatics Officer – Bioinformatics Core Facility

This role is to provide computational infrastructure support for the Bioinformatics Core (BABS) and the Advanced Sequencing Facility (ASF) at the Francis Crick Institute and will work jointly with members of both ASF and the Bioinformatics Core teams to achieve this. The ASF provides next generation sequencing capacity from multiple platforms to researchers across the Crick and requires computational support: to maintain and develop its Laboratory Information Management System (Clarity LIMS); to track sequence run metrics; to provide tools for the display and interrogation of these metrics; and to contribute to the development of pipelines with the Bioinformatics Core for automatically processing sequencing data. The role holder will report to the Heads of the ASF and the Bioinformatics Core.
Deadline for applications has passed.

Key information

Job reference
R287
Salary
Competitive with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
Applications closed
28 July 2021, 00:00 BST
Hours per week
36 (full time)
Posted 28 June 2021
Background texture taken from the lab imagery.

Senior Bioinformatics Officer – Bioinformatics Core Facility

Reports to: Head of Bioinformatics Core Facility

This is a full-time, permanent position on Crick Terms and Conditions of Employment.

                                               

OVERVIEW

The position of Bioinformatics Officer within the Bioinformatics Core Facility will provide primarily computational and bioinformatics expertise to support high throughput post-genomic technologies (next generation sequencers), within an informed biological context, not only for research scientists within the Francis Crick Institute but also for other members of the Core group. In addition this role will provide support and training in bioinformatics where needed.

This position will be part of an already existing Core team of 14 providing bioinformatics expertise to the Crick scientists.

PROJECT SUMMARY

In this role you will be asked to provide bioinformatics and data analysis support to projects run by Francis Crick scientists. Using a variety of programming, statistical and data analysis techniques you will analyse data produced by the latest high throughput genomic technologies. Typical analysis steps will cycle through quality assessment, results generation, biological interpretation and ultimately named publication. During this process you will be expected to work closely with other members of the bioinformatics team, the scientific groups with which you are collaborating and the advanced sequencing team. As well as the analysis of data from more established applications there will be the opportunity to analyse data from more bespoke applications requiring the development of new pipelines and software.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

These include but not limited to;

  • Provide expert analysis of high-throughput genomic data, using a wide range of biological resources and bioinformatic methods.
  • Develop methodologies and techniques to address analysis issues and implement software and data resources in relation to these technologies.
  • Evaluate and provide software, databases, protocols and methods to aid in the analysis of genomic and genetics experiments from academic and commercial sources.
  • Provide consultation and communication in data analysis, data mining, statistics, genomics and other areas of bioinformatics, to Crick scientists.
  • Collaborate in developing the Core with other members of the Bioinformatics group, Crick scientists and other bioinformatics research groups within the Crick.
  • Continue professional development through maintaining awareness of developments in the wider bioinformatics and research communities.
  • Manage the running of our bioinformatics analysis pipelines (Nextflow) and monitor their use so we get results that we can disseminate and interpret to Crick scientist.
  • Participate and contribute to Crick meetings, workshops and seminars.
  • Participate in group initiatives for the provision of training.
  • Publish where appropriate.

KEY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Imaginative, Open, Dynamic and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Knowledge

  • Higher degree in a relevant subject with an extensive analytical component e.g. bioinformatics, statistics, molecular biology or mathematics.
  • An understanding of programming, particularly with regard to big data, data visualisation and data-mining techniques within a genomic or genetical environment.
  • Familiarity with the application of statistical techniques to biological data.
  • A basic knowledge of molecular biology, genetics, model organisms and possibly cancer biology.
  • A broad comprehension of high throughput genomic technologies.
  • A working knowledge of how to design and build data resources, and their use.

Experience

  • Considerable experience in bioinformatics or related biological field.
  • Demonstrable experience of programming in a higher level language (R/C/C++/Perl/Python).
  • Demonstrable experience of NGS analysis methodologies and protocols.
  • Experience of interaction with investigators on scientific projects and working in a collaborative environment.

Skills and Competencies

  • Proven ability in programming.
  • Works with minimal supervision, organising and prioritising own workload.
  • Excellent communication skills within a research environment, building highly effective working relationships with team and customers.
  • Excellent scientific analysis skills.

Please note: all offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.