Computational Biologist/Data Products Lead
Apply NowCompany: University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA 98115
Description:
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The Department of Genome Sciences (GS) is part of the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW SOM) and is comprised of 30 labs addressing leading edge questions in biology and medicine by developing and applying genetic, genomic and computational approaches taking advantage of genomic information now available for a host of species. GS is making major contributions in the application of genome science to understand the fundamentals of biology and to improve human health and wellbeing. Genome Sciences is a collaborative department supported by very different academic disciplines. We work with a multitude of Program Investigators (PIs) in departments both on the UW campus as well as worldwide. The department has gone through significant expansion since its beginning in 2001 with annual grant awards of $63M in FY23. The department has 62 training, teaching, and research faculty.
The Department of Genome Sciences is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Our goal is to foster a place of learning and working where all members can thrive and where diversity is recognized and celebrated. At Genome Sciences, we aim to create supportive spaces for those who are marginalized in higher education or society. To achieve this, we recognize that it is our ongoing responsibility to understand, acknowledge, and challenge systems of privilege and disadvantage in higher education such as those based on race, color, creed, caste, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Computational Biologist/Data Products Lead will develop bioinformatic infrastructure and provide critical analysis support for the Trapnell lab. The person in this role reports directly to the Principal Investigator.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Machine Learning Tools for Developmental Genetics (70%)
Independently design and build AI/ML tools for automatically interpreting single-cell perturbation experiments.
Enhance existing bioinformatic tools to support AI-driven genetic analysis
Collaborate with other software developers in the lab to enhance automatic interpretation infrastructure
Collaborate with other software developers in the lab to disseminate data, models, and results to external stakeholders
Collaborate with students and postdocs in the lab on ML/AI-related research projects.
Identify root causes of technical or quality problems with the application of scientific and engineering knowledge
Technical advising (30%)
Regularly present progress and results to funders and stakeholders
Advise wet lab scientists on the interpretation of their results and the design of atlas-scale perturbation experiments
Train staff and students in machine learning and AI techniques.
Other duties as assigned
Working Environmental Conditions
The Computational Biologist/Data Products Lead must be able to work varied and extra hours as needed to meet project deadlines and program needs. The person in this role will have daily interactions with team members, subject matter experts, stakeholders at UW, other institutions and funding agencies. Most work will be carried out in a laboratory setting. This position will require someone capable of handling extremely high-stress situations (often more than one simultaneously), while ignoring environmental distractions and noise from co-workers sharing the space. There is no major hazard exposure risk associated with this position.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master's degree in Genetics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemical or Biological Engineering, Life Sciences or related field plus 4 years of relevant experience to include the analysis of large-scale single-cell RNA-seq datasets analyzing zebrafish pharmacogenomics and CRISPR knockout experiments, and extensive knowledge of statistical machine learning methods for differential analysis in complex communities of cells.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
PhD in Genetics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemical or Biological Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
Extensive experience with combinatorial indexing-based single-cell workflows.
Bioinformatic experience with UNIX-based single-cell analysis software (e.g. CellRanger, Seurat, Monocle).
Experience with Nextflow or equivalent workflow management tools.
Experience with R and strong statistical foundations.
Experience with Python and scientific programming best practices.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage relationships.
Excellent work ethic with a strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Ability, when necessary, to work under pressure and remain focused.
Experience with standard molecular biology techniques, such as RNA and DNA purification, PCR, and cloning required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Mac OS X.
The ability and desire to work cooperatively with others in a highly interdisciplinary team.
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at [redacted] or [redacted].
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.
The Department of Genome Sciences (GS) is part of the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW SOM) and is comprised of 30 labs addressing leading edge questions in biology and medicine by developing and applying genetic, genomic and computational approaches taking advantage of genomic information now available for a host of species. GS is making major contributions in the application of genome science to understand the fundamentals of biology and to improve human health and wellbeing. Genome Sciences is a collaborative department supported by very different academic disciplines. We work with a multitude of Program Investigators (PIs) in departments both on the UW campus as well as worldwide. The department has gone through significant expansion since its beginning in 2001 with annual grant awards of $63M in FY23. The department has 62 training, teaching, and research faculty.
The Department of Genome Sciences is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Our goal is to foster a place of learning and working where all members can thrive and where diversity is recognized and celebrated. At Genome Sciences, we aim to create supportive spaces for those who are marginalized in higher education or society. To achieve this, we recognize that it is our ongoing responsibility to understand, acknowledge, and challenge systems of privilege and disadvantage in higher education such as those based on race, color, creed, caste, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.
POSITION PURPOSE
The Computational Biologist/Data Products Lead will develop bioinformatic infrastructure and provide critical analysis support for the Trapnell lab. The person in this role reports directly to the Principal Investigator.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Machine Learning Tools for Developmental Genetics (70%)
Technical advising (30%)
Working Environmental Conditions
The Computational Biologist/Data Products Lead must be able to work varied and extra hours as needed to meet project deadlines and program needs. The person in this role will have daily interactions with team members, subject matter experts, stakeholders at UW, other institutions and funding agencies. Most work will be carried out in a laboratory setting. This position will require someone capable of handling extremely high-stress situations (often more than one simultaneously), while ignoring environmental distractions and noise from co-workers sharing the space. There is no major hazard exposure risk associated with this position.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at [redacted] or [redacted].
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.