Employer: Malaghan Institute of Medical research
Closing date: 31/08/2024
Brief position description:
E te kaikimi mahi, tēnā koe,
The ultimate Tech for Good role, right here in Wellington!
The Malaghan Institute is New Zealand’s leading independent biomedical research institute, with a focus on breakthrough discoveries in immunology and immunotherapy. We have over 130 staff committed to finding cures for diseases using the body’s own immune system.
Part of the Hugh Green Technology Centre, the newly established Data Science team (core facility) is tasked with supporting our scientists by developing data pipelines, statistical models, and applications to integrate and analyse their diverse data sets. Together with two other data scientists and a DevOps engineer you will form the core of the institute’s data science capability, and work closely with bioinformatics and science staff in other departments to get cutting-edge science done.
This role is focussed on data analysis, custodianship, and communication. Specifically, you will:
– Kick-off the data science process by gathering the scientists' goals and requirements, and act with autonomy to deliver analyses within deadlines set by the head of Data Science.
– Learn how to use Life Science and Biotech tools and packages (e.g., pySCENIC, Seurat, OMIQ) to analyse our particular data sets (gene sequencing, flow cytometry, and other experimental data).
– Make the best use of our data science platform and help inform the practices that set us up as a top-notch service delivery squad.
– Coach scientists and bioinformaticians in coding, data analysis techniques, machine learning, and the use of our data science platform.
This is a full-time position for an initial fixed term of 24 months, working 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm, with some flexibility to work from home.
Ngā Pūkenga | Experience and Skills
Required - There are some skills we’ll need on Day One:
– Python: While Biotech is largely anchored in R, Python is our preferred language for the future. We need someone who is comfortable crafting original code and notebooks in Python, and also porting scripts from R. You don’t have to be an R pro, just understand (or learn) enough to translate.
– Machine learning: Lots of standard, modern analysis methods in Biology rely on machine learning. You will need a working understanding of clustering, dimensionally reduction, and other ML basics.
– Modern data platforms: We use a Jupyter-based platform, so you will need experience with the likes of Anaconda, Databricks, SageMaker, or similar, as well as source control software.
– Communication: This role is largely based on translating research into data analysis and back into research. You don’t have to understand all the immunology! You will just have to tease out what information you need in order to analyse data, and then explain results to biologists. If you have experience working in a niche domain it will come in very handy.
– Data custodianship: This role needs some experience with data operations: the whole cycle from characterising data post-acquisition to analysing in a reproducible way, while protecting sensitive medical research data and intellectual property.
– Service mindset: One of your tasks will be to support users of our data science platform with their day-to-day work (e.g., fixing application bugs, troubleshooting package installations). If you have experience in a service team, that will also come in very handy.
Advantageous - It’s not required but it would be a bonus if you have any of the following skills:
– Experience with standard Genomics packages and processes.
– Knowledge of statistics, e.g., hypothesis testing and experimental design.
– Code optimisation, e.g., refactoring, pushing to GPU, porting to low-level languages.
– Familiarity with DevOps environments (dev vs prod) and deployment tools.
– Experience using macOS and Linux machines.
– Familiarity with science operations or a research science background.
Ngā painga | Benefits
– Contribute directly to ground-breaking, life-saving medical research!
– A unique research environment: work with highly driven scientists and highly technical support staff.
– Lifelong learning culture with an associated L&D budget.
– Employee Assistance Programme – confidential, professional services which can support and guide you through your personal or work challenges.
– Great location on campus, lots of quiet space, short walk to cafes and shops in Te Aro, Aro Valley, or Kelburn. Have lunch in a collegial environment, hang out in your favourite spot, or take a walk to the Botanic Garden!
– Access to University life (e.g., lectures and panels) and facilities.
– Base salary starting from $110,000 depending on experience.
Here are some examples of the great work our teams do and how we are setting up for the future:
– In Focus: Shooting for the stars, propelling our research in the information age (https://smex-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.malaghan.org.nz%2fnews%2dand%2dreports%2fnews%2fin%2dfocus%2dshooting%2dfor%2dthe%2dstars%2dpropelling%2dour%2dresearch%2din%2dthe%2dinformation%2dage%2f&umid=1f8b2755-c55b-4acf-8a93-023a3a96374c&auth=6ee66d642a212b82964c9073f0dd934b55317413-aa9a813f2feb8f36a96a85103d8bfdf988dd7492)
– NZ invention to enhance safety of CAR T and other cell therapies (https://smex-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.malaghan.org.nz%2fnews%2dand%2dreports%2fnews%2fnz%2dinvention%2dto%2denhance%2dsafety%2dof%2dcar%2dt%2dand%2dother%2dcell%2dtherapies%2f&umid=1f8b2755-c55b-4acf-8a93-023a3a96374c&auth=6ee66d642a212b82964c9073f0dd934b55317413-2b9ce707cdd005339826928d76ccbe053b3cbcd2)
– Vaccine alliance formed as collaborators establish national COVID-19 vaccine screening and development programme (https://smex-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.malaghan.org.nz%2fnews%2dand%2dreports%2fnews%2fvaccine%2dalliance%2dformed%2das%2dcollaborators%2destablish%2dnational%2dcovid%2d19%2dvaccine%2dscreening%2dand%2ddevelopment%2dprogramme%2f&umid=1f8b2755-c55b-4acf-8a93-023a3a96374c&auth=6ee66d642a212b82964c9073f0dd934b55317413-53935b8e0bcd3f2fad0d51497ee0a96d6fc955fb)
The Malaghan Institute is also an equal opportunity employer, and values diversity alongside being committed to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Vision Mātauranga. We support Māori health advancement in partnership with Te Urungi Māori, the Institute’s Māori advisory group, we therefore welcome Māori applicants for this role.
Me Pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
If you share our passion for building cures, and think you’d be a valuable addition to this project, apply now by sending both your Cover Letter and CV. Applications close on Aug 31, 2024 for a start date as soon as possible. Interviews may be held immediately should the right candidates apply, so don’t wait, tone inaianei!
Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
Job website: http://malaghannz.bamboohr.com/careers/150
Contact name: Hercules Konstantopoulos
Contact email: herculesk@malaghan.org.nz