BACKGROUND

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform quality control of data from the Genomics core to detect technical issues and to ensure optimal operation of the lab-technical instrumentation.
• Executing basic bioinformatics analyses pipelines for various data types.
• Establish and maintain computer-based performance-monitoring of various lab-technical instruments, establish and monitor data back-up and data storage clean-up routines. Perform maintenance as required to ensure the integrity of the data generated.
• Review and evaluate quality control information and other related data to determine appropriate actions.

• Work closely with Proteomics core to manage and store proteomic data. Apply existing Bioinformatics pipeline to support standard downstream analysis of proteomics data. The candidate is expected to work independently or with others for trouble shooting and software update.

• Work closely with Lipidomics and Metabolomics core to manage and store data generated by the core. Maintain and apply existing Bioinformatics pipelines to support standard downstream analysis of lipidomic data. The candidate is expected to work independently or with others for trouble shooting and software update.

• Carefully document progress and challenges of all analyses performed, by maintaining detailed log records of all work.
• Address specific challenges with other team members, to find solutions, as they occur.
• Present the progress of the projects during weekly meetings.
• Interfacing with various units including, e.g., HPRC, SOMTech, PharTech, VCU IT support and networking to resolve challenges and ensure compliance.

• Provide timely and professional customer support. Respond to user questions and contribute expertise to users during consultation session.
• Collaborate with supervisor and other team members to address customer challenges and concerns effectively and adequately.
• Prepare and electronically distribute newsletters and other communication to the facilities users.

• Learn and remain abreast of relevant developments in the field techniques.
• Incorporate advances and innovation as considered appropriate. This includes learning and mastering new analyses pipelines, software, and quality control approaches to serve the Genomics core's needs.

• The staff is expected to apply existing Bioinformatics pipelines to conduct preprocessing of a variety of raw high throughput sequencing data generated by either genomics core at VCU or outside vendors. The staff will report the quality control results to the genomics core while sending preprocessed sequencing data to other staff at the Bioinformatics core. The staff is expected to refine and update pipelines periodically.

• Communicate promptly with team members in the Bioinformatics core regarding progress and results. Continue to develop and standardize data analysis reports according to the applied Bioinformatics pipelines. The position may also involve customer consultation and various types of customer service support.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's of science degree or equivalent, with documented experience in computer science, including knowledge of cluster computing and advanced bioinformatics analyses for genomic data.
• Prior experience with hands-on data processing and analyses of genomic data and strong theoretical knowledge in basic molecular biology.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to carefully document the work is required.
• Strong ability to work independently and within a diverse team of faculty, staff, and trainees.
• Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to providing high quality customer service.
• Evidence of ability to learn new techniques quickly are essential.
• The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

PREFERENCES

• Master of Science degree or Ph.D., or equivalent, with documented experience in computer science, including knowledge of cluster computing and advanced bioinformatics analyses for genomics data. Prior experience working in a core facility environment is preferred.
• Prior hands-on experience working with various types of genomic data. Hands-on experience with alignment of sequence reads, contamination detection across various species, and a broad spectrum of assay specific analyses pipelines including, e.g., RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, whole genome sequencing, bisulfite sequencing, MBD-seq and targeted amplicon sequencing is preferred.
• Experience of analyses with single-cell/single-nuclei sequencing data is preferred.

COMPENSATION

LOCATION

HOW TO APPLY

DEADLINE