Location: Population Health & Immunity Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Closing date: Fri, 08/09/2017 - 5:00pm

Position description:

The position is a split appointment, with the successful applicant working 0.5FTE of the time on bioinformatics analysis tasks across the divisions and the other 0.5FTE on research projects specific to the Bahlo laboratory. Professor Melanie Bahlo will be the principal supervisor, with the successful applicant joining the Bahlo Laboratory.

The WEHI has one of the largest computational biology research groups in Australia, with a reputation for developing statistical and computational methodology that has become widely used around the world. The Population Health and Immunity Division generates genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data from population-based studies, in particular from the two malaria parasites, p. falciparum and p.vivax. Several lab heads are members of the MalariaGen consortium generating substantial genomic datasets numbering 1000s of genomes. Several labs within the division have recently been awarded an international plasmodium data generation grant, which will produce substantial new data. The applicant will be involved in the analysis of this exciting data.

The Bahlo laboratory has a long track record of developing analysis methods and software for genetic and transcriptomic data, in particular next generation sequencing data. New generations of next generation sequencing technologies will also be used in the division and the successful applicant is expected to develop pipelines for the analysis of long-read sequencing data such as PacBio and minION sequencing data, working closely with other researchers at the WEHI.

The appointee will undertake data processing and bioinformatics analyses of data generated by labs within the division on a per needs basis. The work is highly likely to lead to high-impact publications, to which the successful applicant is expected to contribute. The applicant will need to be collaborative, connecting the needs of different labs. There will be opportunities for the delivery of simple programming workshops (e.g. introduction to R or high performance computing) to members of the Division.

Applicants with a PhD or MSc in a relevant discipline are welcome to apply. Relevant disciplines include computer science, mathematics, statistics, computational biology or bioinformatics. Applicants need to have experience in the analysis of next generation sequencing data and demonstrate broad bioinformatics data analysis experience. The position requires high-level project-management skills, strong programming and data analysis skills (R, at least one of Python or Perl and strong unix skills) and, in particular strong communication skills, to ensure excellent communication as a key person working between laboratories within the division.

The Institute is highly supportive of women scientists. A new childcare facility will commence building in early 2017 with a proposed completion date of 2018. Attractive awards including a childcare fellowship (Craven and Shearer Award) and additional technical assistance (Page Betheras Award) during and after maternity leave. Mentoring programs and a strong postdoctoral association contribute to an outstanding career opportunity for an ambitious junior postdoc.

The positions will be for 2 years in the first instance with a probation period of 6 months. Salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience. Up to 17% superannuation and attractive salary packaging options are available. The position is advertises as full time but could be negotiated to be part-time.

General enquiries should be directed to Professor Melanie Bahlo.

A position description is available.

Written applications including cover letter, CV and the names of 3 professional referees should be emailed in PDF format to jobapplications@wehi.edu.au, quoting reference WEHI/CAMBA in the subject line.

Job link: https://www.wehi.edu.au/bioinformatics-analyst-population-health-immunity-division