Position title: Bioinformatician - The Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics

Employer: Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Closing date: 31/10/2020

Brief position description: The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world-leading clinicians and basic and translational researchers to break down barriers between traditional scientific disciplines and find solutions to disease. Founded in 1963, Garvan’s mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease.

Our scientists work across four intersecting research themes: medical genomics, epigenetics, and cellular genomics; diseases of immunity and inflammation; cancer; and diseases of ageing affecting bone, brain and metabolism. And three major Centres: the Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, the Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, and the Centre for Population Genomics. The Garvan Research Foundation (GRF) is the marketing and fundraising arm of the Institute raising critical philanthropic investment, and awareness, for Garvan’s medical research.

In 2017, The Garvan Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics (GWCCG) was formed, bringing together the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Weizmann Institute of Science to build Australia’s first Centre for Cellular Genomics. The Garvan and the Weizmann Institutes have harnessed their synergistic strengths (in Cytometry, Genomics, Informatics, and Data Visualisation) to allow cellular and single cell genomics to become routine tools for clinical and scientific analysis of many disease states. The focus of the GWCCG is both to support and conduct medical research using cellular genomics techniques across four research areas: Stem cells, statistical genetics, cancer and new diagnostics methodology

The Opportunity

The incumbent Bioinformatician will work with members of the GWCCG Research team to support computational research activities across the following areas:

Population genetics meets single cell sequencing

Resolving the genetic mechanisms of complex human disease using stem cells

Clinical translation of single cell sequencing for diagnosis and precision medicine

The role will involve curation, management, and analysis of high-throughput genomic data and patient medical records. In addition to supporting the research activities of other group members, opportunities will be made available to pursue and publish leading research.

A strong background in computational genomics, biology or bioinformatics preferred. Highly motivated individuals with a strong attention to detail, multi-tasking; and a willingness to learn new technologies are encouraged to apply. This is a two-year full-time position.

Key Responsibilities

Analysis of data generated for research within the GWCCG labs, by collaborators or in the public domain, method development and testing and writing computer code data analysis

Supporting role in manuscript preparation and presentation of results in lab meetings and conferences

Record-keeping and administrative aspects that underlie scientific research in discussion with lab heads, development of timelines

Collaboration with other group members, and as part of national and international consortia

Meeting with Associate Professor Joseph Powell and members of the laboratory

Attending, discussing and reviewing current and future techniques within Garvan’s Bioinformatics (BUG) meetings

About You

In order to be successful in this position, you will demonstrate the following key skills and attributes:

A degree in a relevant field e.g. computer science, genetics, physics, statistics, epidemiology, bioinformatics or other relevant areas, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

Excellent computational background, especially in the management of large data sets in HPC environment and analysis and interpretation of large genomic data sets (WGS, RNA-Seq, scRNA-Seq)

High proficiency in programming and scripting languages (e.g. C/C++, Java, Perl, Python); Advanced user of the R programming language and R-based statistical packages and tools, such as those available from the Bioconductor project for high throughput genomic data analysis

Good knowledge of statistics and presentation of molecular/clinical data.

Demonstrated experience using version control for code development and curation.

Excellent problem-solving ability with good communication skills

Ability to work independently and yet amicably in a team environment to meet deadlines

How to Apply

Australian/NZ citizen, permanent resident of other applicants with full working rights can only apply. All applications must include a cover letter along with your resume with at least 2 referees. We are reviewing applications as they are received.

Job website: https://garvan.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/garvan_institute/job/Sydney/Bioinformatician---The-Garvan-Weizmann-Centre-for-Cellular-Genomics_PRF5615-1

Contact name: Michelle Earle

Contact email: m.earle@garvan.org.au