BACKGROUND

There's quite a distance between wondering and knowing. And for patients waiting for answers to important health questions, it's a road they want to travel as quickly as possible.

At Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, we understand urgency. But more than speed, we focus our energies on accuracy. Currently, we seek a Staff Bioinformatics Scientist in San Juan Capistrano.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Basic Function and Scope of the Position:
Plans, prepares, conducts experimentation, prepares reports and analysis of results as related to product/process development improvement. Activities may be focused individual projects or assignments as a member of a project team which may include project leadership duties.

Impact:
Successful performance of job duties contributes to the success of projects in support of product development activities. Impacts the ability of the project team to meet assigned goals.

Essential Job Duties:
Evaluate, develop, validate, and implement new next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis technology and technology enhancements, including bioinformatics analysis pipelines, testing/validation scripts, and other tools related to genetic diagnostics. Consult on process and technology improvements within R&D, Operations, and IT departments. Participate in resolution of support requests where computational biology tools are used. Regularly report progress and prepare data analyses for internal review.

Position Supervised:
None.

Supervision Received:
Works under general supervision, receiving instructions on specific assignment objectives, complex features, and possible solutions. Assistance is furnished on unusual problems and work is reviewed for application of sound professional judgment

REQUIREMENTS

Must have a demonstrable proficiency with Perl, Python and/or shell scripting. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Knowledge of SQL database development strongly preferred. Advanced science, engineering, or computer science degree desired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor's degree required, MS or PhD preferred. Two or more years of relevant experience in IT, life sciences, computational biology/bioinformatics, engineering, or computer science required. Two or more years of software development and/or database development experience in a SQL, Linux, and/or HPC environment strongly preferred. Hands-on experience analyzing NGS data desired. Project management and support experience a plus.

Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as professional journals, operating instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write complete reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively in one-on-one and small group situations.

Mathematical Skills:
Ability to apply mathematical concepts to problem-solving situations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance and correlation techniques. Biostatistics experience is a plus.

Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply commonsense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in a variety of situations.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Requires a thorough knowledge of related products and technologies gained through developmental experience in an academic or industrial setting.

LOCALE

San Juan Capistrano, CA

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit resumes to Jessica Hicks, Sr. TA Partner at jhicks[at]ameripath.com or Visit http://www.questdiagnostics.com and search for Job Opening ID 3766391.