Career Center

Department: MED-Center for Genetic Med
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

Partners with clients to design, develop, implement and maintain business solutions regarding data management and analysis.  This includes database administration, data consolidation, data analysis and management reporting.  Utilizes software to generate metrics and develops actionable recommendations.  Collaborates with various function teams such as marketing, research, and IT to achieve business results.

The Bioinformatics Analyst will work in the Center for Genetic Medicine and the Gottwein lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, performing basic and advanced analyses in bioinformatics using current open-source software and by developing new analytical tools and pipelines.

The successful candidate will have a background in bioinformatics, biostatistics, and/or cancer biology and have software development experience, at least to the level of developing scripts for processing data in languages such as Perl, Python, and/or R.  The candidate must be comfortable working in a Linux/Unix environment. Typical data sets include single-cell RNA-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, CRISPR screening results, WES, and WGS.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Manages and plans for data/analysis requests and projects.
• Provides consultation to customers on appropriate data management, methodological issues, and statistical analyses.
• Collaborates with technical staff explaining needs of functional users. Serve on committees related to data structure and governance.                                                                          

Administration

• Reviews reports before presentation to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Develops and maintains documentation of process for quality assurance and reporting methodology
• Defines, develops and communicates new standards and best practices.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Development

• Develops queries and quality metrics.
• Interprets results using a variety of techniques, ranging from simple data aggregation via statistical analysis to complex statistical analysis.
• Determines data structure for local datasets.

Performance

• Develops and documents standards for data quality and regulatory compliance pertaining to reporting.
• Ensures quality and compliance by reviewing reports

Supervises

• Provides work direction and/or supervises staff such as team members, subordinates, contractors, vendors, students, etc.
• Recommends staff hires/terminations.
• Coaches and mentors staff.
• Manages projects ensuring timelines and deliverables are met and meet expectations.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.  
• 4 years data analysis/report writing, or similar experience required.
• Please see information highlighted in tables below.
• Three to four years of relevant work experience in analyzing next generation sequencing data from projects involving RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, and/or variant analysis.
• Experience in computing in a Linux/Unix environment.
• Experience in at least 1 scripting language such as perl, python, or shell scripting.
• Willingness and capability to share knowledge with other members of the team.
• Please highlight requirements:
  • Programming Languages and Frameworks
    • Perl
    • Python
    • Shell Scripting
  • Analytical
    • Critical thinking
    • Data mining
    • Data modeling
    • Decision making
    • Judgment
    • Metadata creation and management
    • Problem solving
    • Troubleshooting
  • Project
    • Collaboration and teamwork
    • Organizational skills
    • Planning

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated ability to learn about new technologies.
• Demonstrated ability in working with open-source bioinformatics software and publically available databases.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals and groups.
• Ability to multitask, work and learn independently, and be self-motivated.
• A record of taking the initiative to solve problems and working to high-quality standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics or Statistics with a cancer biology background.
• Experience in Cancer Informatics.
• Experience with high-dimensional data mining and machine learning.
• Experience working in an academic or health care computing environment.
• Ability to solve complex bioinformatics problems.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Record of taking the initiative to solve problems and working with high standards.
• Familiarity with software versioning tools.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

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We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

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