The Translational Neurogenomics & Alzheimer Biomarkers Laboratory (“Yang Lab,” PI Hyun-Sik Yang, MD) at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School is seeking a full-time Data Analyst to work in the functional genomics subgroup. We collaborate with multiple longitudinal cohorts locally (e.g., Harvard Aging Brain Study) and nationally (e.g., Religious Orders Study, Rush Memory and Aging Project) and manage the Alzheimer’s disease / cognitive neurology biobanking program at BWH (Remondi Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium). We have active federally and philanthropically funded projects generating large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and single-cell sequencing data from several hundred human research participants; we jointly analyze those data with autopsy (pathology), neuroimaging, and cognitive data.
The successful candidate will help to establish and maintain multi-omic data quality control pipelines and will participate as a co-author in various scientific projects linking multi-omics data with neuropathology, neuroimaging, and clinical phenotypes related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders progression. The successful candidate will have opportunites for presentations/publications if desired. The successful candidate will also have access to the communities and meetings of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a leading genomics institution. We see the skills that will be developed in this job as allowing the future candidate to successfully progress towards PhD programs or industry in relevant fields (e.g. computational biology, neuroscience, applied statistics).
Our research group is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM. We strive to represent the communities we serve; candidates from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1) Establishment, maintenance, update, and documentation of omics data processing (quality control) pipelines for ongoing multi-omic data generation projects.
2) Working with investigators to coordinate relevant data generation/acquisition/transfer procedures.
3) Rapid assembly and manipulation of omics and phenotype datasets for analysis.
4) Implementation of bioinformatics analysis plans to produce results for publication and conference dissemination for other lab personnel.
5) Researching, assessing, and implementing novel bioinformatics models and approaches.
6) Working with investigators to develop and implement data analytics and visualizations in service of research aims.
7) Provide consultation and drafting of omics-related methods and results sections for manuscripts in collaboration with researchers.
QUALIFICATIONS:
B.A., B.S. required. Master's level candidates are preferred, particularly with training in the fields of computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, biostatistics, epidemiology, applied mathematics or statistics. Individuals without formal training in these areas, but with the requisite experience and desired core skills will also be considered.
1+ years of experience is preferred. Experience through coursework or undergraduate/graduate research projects is applicable.
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
1. Advanced computer skills, with the ability to manipulate large and varied datasets. (e.g., proficiency with Python and/or Unix shell scripting preferred).
2. Proficiency with R.
3. Prior experience in computational biology/bioinformatics (e.g., PLINK, RNA-Seq alignment tools, R Bioconductor, etc.) is preferred, but not necessary if the applicant has the necessary programming experience.
4. Experience with cluster computing is preferred, but not essential.
5. Strong statistical and data analysis skills.
6. Must be highly motivated and well-organized, personable, and empathetic with team members.
7. Level of responsibility and maturity to work under pressure and meet the requirements of clinical research neuroscience laboratory.
8. Very detail-oriented and highly organized.
9. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
EEO Statement
BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.