Bioinformatics Analyst Full-time NEW

Bioinformatics Analyst

This position has an initial appointment of 1 year, with possibility of renewal.

Location – This role is in-person at North Campus Edmonton.

Under the direction of the Director, Advanced Cell Exploration Core, the Bioinformatics Analyst will be a member of the services team at the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD) Core Research Facilities. Supporting more than 200 research groups annually, our mission is to facilitate impactful research through access to cutting edge infrastructure and services from project design to data analysis.

This position will perform advanced bioinformatics analyses that enable the interpretation of data generated by various biological assays to support research projects conducted in the FoMD Core Facilities. The successful incumbent will analyze and visualize datasets with excellent standards of coding and documentation. In consultation with the Director, Advanced Cell Exploration Core, they will develop and implement computation pipelines, statistical analysis plans, and standardized reports. The successful applicant will collaborate with principal investigators, research trainees and staff, and other FoMD Core staff to synthesize project data, define analytical parameters, formulate and execute analysis plans, and fulfill data delivery and visualization requirements. They will also contribute to user training, including the delivery of non-course related teaching including bioinformatics workshops for staff and students.

Responsibilities

Data Analysis Support and Services:

• Perform customized bioinformatics analysis work and prepare related visualizations and reports. Ensure computational workflows meet project-specific timelines, scientific standards, and contract obligations.
• Lead the design and implementation of innovative computational pipelines to conduct analysis of genomics, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics data using common workflow engines. Package the analysis pipelines using container technologies. Test and deploy analysis workflows on computing cluster and cloud environments.
• Collaborate with research teams and software engineers to design experiments and computational analysis plans, analyze and visualize data, and interpret results.
• Assist users with data visualization and interpretation, supporting researchers in understanding complex datasets.
• Establish data quality assurance standards for computational pipelines, including accuracy, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Develop tracking mechanisms and maintain project documentation to ensure delivered analyses and visualizations are scientifically rigorous and reproducible.
• Assist with the management of internal core facility databases to ensure research security and data quality.

Training and Education:

• Collaborate with the Director to design modules and deliver training via workshops, summer courses, and undergraduate/graduate lectures.
• Provide professional expertise and technical guidance to help trainees select tools, apply bioinformatics solutions, and interpret genomic results.

Administration and Organization:

• Prepare project quotes, service cost estimates, and assist leadership with cost analysis and service pricing.
• Manage several analysis projects at the same time and accurately track and report time spent on different assignments.

Qualifications

• Minimum BSc in computer science, bioinformatics, or computational biology. Candidates with a BSc in cell biology, genetics, or biomedical sciences with additional relevant bioinformatics experience or certification will be considered. Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) preferred.
• Documented prior experience analyzing genomics and high-throughput sequencing data including quality control, normalization, clustering, and trajectory inference.
• Demonstrated experience with integrating datasets, data visualization and interpretation.
• Experience integrating imaging and omics data sets is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability in R or other similar statistical programming languages for biological data analysis and visualization is required.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following: Java, Python, and JavaScript and ability to write shell scripts to automate tasks. Experience running jobs in an HPC environment.
• Familiarity with workflow management systems such as Nextflow is a strong asset.
• Strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in statistical analysis is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and strong customer service skills for interacting with researchers, facilitating collaboration and service delivery is required.
• Familiarity with laboratory techniques and data management, ensuring inappropriate data can be detected before starting analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in managing priorities and setting realistic expectations is required.
• Attention to detail, excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to organize, analyse and communicate scientific data is required.
• Must have good technical writing skill to document code and applications.
• Experience in lecturing at workshops, tutoring students or official teaching experience is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a multi-tasking and multi-disciplinary environment to support a variety of bioinformatics and data science-related projects.