BACKGROUND:
A unique and exciting opportunity is available for a highly qualified and motivated full-time Bioinformaticist to start as soon as possible at The University of British Columbia to work jointly with Dr. Bob Hancock and Dr. Scott Tebbutt primarily on a project sponsored by the Human Vaccine Project (https://www.humanvaccinesproject.org).

The successful candidate will join both the Hancock research group and the Tebbutt research group, likely working in 4--6-month rotations between the two sites located in Vancouver, BC., Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
To conduct data mining, statistical and bioinformatic analyses for identifying and evaluating biomarkers of predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic value, with respect to biomedical conditions of high clinical relevance (e.g., vaccine responses). Major responsibilities: developing data analysis tools and pipelines; performing statistical modeling and testing; analyzing and integrating complex clinical data, along with high-dimensional molecular datasets (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics); writing research proposals, reports, and publications.

This position involves running genome sequencing data analysis pipelines, testing and maintenance of existing sequence-analysis pipelines, automation of routine programming and data-analysis tasks and workflows, managing and processing genomic data, interpretation of results and, where necessary, contributing to the development of software implementing novel algorithms and statistical models.

In Hancock's lab, you will primarily perform algorithmic and statistical analyses on genomic and transcriptome sequencing data sets. In Tebbutt's lab you will perform multi-omic analysis and integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.

Other side projects may involve neonatal vaccine immunogenicity, and biomarkers for diagnosing complex diseases.

The successful candidate will provide consultation to researchers on study design, analysis, and statistical methods, will attend group lab meetings for both Hancock and Tebbutt and will also report/present to the researchers at the Human Vaccine Project.

REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications and experience:
Completion of a PhD in a biological science discipline (Biology/Immunology/Biochemistry/Cell Biology). Track record of publishing in top-level, peer-reviewed journals. Demonstrated expertise in bacterial genetics, immunology, and cell biology. Demonstrated experience in analyzing transcriptomic data sets. Demonstrated ability to work productively in a collaborative research team.

Additional experience required:

• Experience in working with next generation sequencing data and related analysis tools and workflows
• Performs data cleansing and statistical/bioinformatic analyses on RNA-seq, DNA methylation, proteomic, and clinical data
• Research and select appropriate analytical methods
• Develop R scripts for data cleaning, analysis, and visualization
• 2+yrs experience working in a research or corporate environment
• Strong knowledge of Unix/Linux operating system
• Considerable programming/scripting skills in R and Python
• Strong problem solver and able to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
• Familiarity with human genome databases (Ensembl, UCSC genome browser, NCBI)
• Familiarity with parallel computing environments (Linux clusters, SunGridEngine, etc.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools such as Bioconductor considered an asset
• Experience in development of algorithms/machine learning/statistical models for bioinformatics considered an asset
• Experience with RNA-Seq data analysis an asset
• Experience with data sets from human biological samples an asset

TERMS:
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from visible minority group members, women, aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Candidates with less than 5 years of experience since their PhD completion may be considered for a Postdoctoral Fellow Position. Candidates with over 5 years of experience will be considered for a Research Scientist Position.

COMPENSATION:
Job classifications and salary are dependent on degrees held and level of experience. Applicants with PhDs in Bioinformatics and/or Computer Science need to show demonstrated experience with biological data and a strong comprehension of human biological systems.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a CV, a short (one-two-page) description of research interests and experience, and contact information for at least two references by e-mail to: careers[at]hancocklab.com

Please reference Human Vaccine Project in the subject header.

ABOUT US:
The University of British Columbia (http://www.ubc.ca) is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's West Coast spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. Its entrepreneurial perspective encourages students, staff, and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

The Hancock lab is located on the Vancouver Point Grey campus. It is part of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the faculty is internationally recognized for contributions in microbiology, molecular biology, and immunology. The fundamental interest of the Hancock laboratory is in designing new therapeutic strategies to treat infections in the light of increasing antibiotic resistance coupled with a dearth of new antibiotic discovery. One of the research themes includes uutilizing functional genomic and bioinformatics studies to define the innate immunity/inflammatory network.

The Tebbutt lab is located at St. Paul's Hospital, in downtown Vancouver, Canada, the PROOF (Prevention of Organ Failure) Centre (http://www.proofcentre.ca) is a not-for-profit data analytics and biomarker development organization, founded in 2008 and co-hosted by the University of British Columbia (http://www.ubc.ca) and Providence Health Care (https://www.providencehealthcare.org). The PROOF Centre harnesses the power of clinical, molecular, and computational science, to develop new knowledge and biomarker-based tests to better predict, diagnose, manage, and treat patients. Major biomarker programs focus on organ transplant, heart failure, chronic lung diseases, COVID-19, and several vaccine studies.

Dr. Scott J. Tebbutt is Professor in the Department of Medicine (Respiratory Division), University of British Columbia, as well as Principal Investigator and Director of Education at the Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. He is also Chief Executive Office (since 2020) and Chief Scientific Officer (since 2009), of the Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF) Centre of Excellence – a not-for-profit organization dedicated to moving research findings into health care and focused on non-invasive biomarkers that can diagnose and/or predict organ failure and other clinically-important indications.

https://www.hli.ubc.ca/researchers/scott-tebbutt/

Dr. Bob Hancock is a leading microbiologist in Canada and has researched and taught at the University of British Columbia for nearly 40 years. The fundamental interest of Hancock and his laboratory is in designing new therapeutic strategies to treat infections in the light of increasing antibiotic resistance coupled with a dearth of new antibiotic discovery. His research interests include cationic host defence (antimicrobial) peptides as novel antimicrobials, anti-biofilm agents and modulators of innate immunity, the development of alternatives to antibiotics for resistant infections, the systems biology of innate immunity, inflammatory diseases and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and antibiotic resistance, particularly multidrug adaptive resistance. He has published more than 800 papers and reviews, is an ISI highly cited author in Microbiology with more than 113,000 citations and an h-index of 168 and has 72 patents awarded.

http://cmdr.ubc.ca/bobh/

DEADLINE:
Please Respond Within Two-Weeks From March 28, 2022