The Department of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute seeks a Computational Biologist to work on the generation of DNA sequencing, RNA sequencing and epigenetic sequencing datasets in the context of multiple clinically oriented studies in order to help advance efforts for precision cancer medicine. The Computational Biologist, in collaboration with faculty leaders in our breast cancer genomics efforts, principal investigators, and senior director of cohort and translational studies, will be involved in cross-disciplinary efforts to generate large clinically-annotated datasets describing genetic changes across breast cancer and to develop sophisticated statistical and computational approaches to analyze and interpret these data. The aim of these efforts will be to characterize mutations, programs and evolutionary dynamics that contribute to therapeutic response and resistance. These new data could help identify novel approaches for personalized care in oncology.?? In addition, this data may provide support for new methods in clinical decision-making, biomarkers for rational drug development, and new insights into tumor biology through innovative analyses. As the department studies evolve, this position is likely to present diverse and flexible opportunities - from deeper and more innovative sequencing technology and assays.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
The ideal candidate will specifically:
Drive scientific projects by analyzing and interpreting large-scale and multidimensional omics datasets and clinical outcomes to advance translational science with immediate potential clinical application.
Participate in the design and implementation of algorithms to analyze and integrate large data as well as the maintenance of datasets and shared tools.
Collaborate with a group of multidisciplinary scientists and larger research groups such as Center for Cancer Genomics (CCG), the Broad Institute and other external collaborators.
Maintain, support, and document the development of sophisticated computational and statistical approaches that can be shared across analytic teams.
Specific work responsibilities:??
Data Processing: Uses existing tools to build data processing pipelines to convert raw data into formats compatible with conventional statistical analysis and visualization. Adapts tools when necessary.
Data Analysis: Performs routine analysis for which established tools exist and are considered reliable.
Keeps up with the computational biology literature to assure pipelines components are up to date. Adapts tools when necessary.
Data and Software Management: Monitors, downloads, organizes, and manages data from public data repositories or generated by collaborates. Evaluates published tools and updates pipeline as necessary. Writes scripts that perform this automatically.
Manuscript Preparation: Independently edits and drafts the computational biology sections of a manuscript; assists in writing the results section; checks manuscripts for numerical accuracy; prepares tables and figures.??
Grant Preparation: Helps to formulate specific aims, explains options for experimental design, and develops data analysis plans.???? Minimal guidance is expected.
Research Portfolio Management: Develops timelines and components for larger projects; masters multi-tasking so that complex projects involving many interdisciplinary individuals move forward smoothly.
Team interactions: Share strategies for effective interaction with investigators, as well as for efficient task management.?? Share analytic strategies with peers.?? Suggest professional team initiatives.
Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree required in a STEM field.?? Master???s degree preferred in bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics, biostatistics, computer science and/or the life sciences.
Minimum Education: 2 years with Bachelor???s degree or 1 year with Master???s degree; academic research experience or authorship in scientific publications experience may substitute for work experience.
Computational Skills: Expert Knowledge of UNIX/Linux. Strong knowledge of scripting in Python and statistical programming using R.
Data analysis Skills: Experience with principles of experimental design and the modern data analysis paradigms is required.
Collaboration: Able to discuss and present results, share ideas accurately and communicate them effectively, both in writing and verbally.
Strong interpersonal skills ??? ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff and external contacts.
Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to under-served members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.