Position Description

We are searching for an outstanding computational biologist. You will be focused on and dedicated to cancer genomics, be an innovative thinker, outstanding communicator, enjoy working with an interdisciplinary team and bring intellectual and analytical processes to your work.

About the Team

The Computational Biology group at the New York Genome Center (NYGC) is a team of scientists, analysts and programmers who conduct research in all three disease areas of NYGC: cancer, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. The group collaborates across R&D with the NYGC faculty labs, the NYGC Technology Innovation & Methods Development Labs, and external researchers, with the goal of translating improvements in genomic analysis methods into better data to guide more informed healthcare. This group also works closely with the Software Engineering, Research Computing and Sequencing groups at NYGC to drive research through data analysis and data integration while continuously exploring novel sequencing technologies and latest genomic methodologies to improve and speed-up the analysis of genomic data.

Some of the team’s most recent research projects involve development of a best-in-class somatic pipeline for tumor-normal whole-genome sequencing, methods for pathogen identification, somatic variant prioritization, emerging long-read technologies, liquid biopsies. We also contributed to the analyses of large cohorts of esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and many more unpublished work. We are coordinating and contributing actively to the Polyethnic-1000 project and the Very Rare Cancer Consortium.

About the Role

As a Bioinformatics Scientist, you will contribute to exciting projects and working groups, NCI-led analysis working groups (TCGA and other), and work with multiple data types and emerging technologies. You will be responsible for the analyses and interpretation of cancer genome samples as well as the maintenance, benchmarking, and continuous improvement of our analysis pipelines. This position will report to the Director of Computational Biology.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Stay current on innovations in sequencing technologies and analyses.
• Develop and implement innovative computational approaches for the analysis of large sequence datasets from NGS technologies.
• Assist, collaborate and consult with external and internal researchers on the analyses and interpretation of cancer NGS data.
• Interpret and present the results of the computational and statistical analyses to collaborators and coworkers.
• Contribute to setup, management and maintenance of genomic data analysis pipelines.
• Analyze sequencing data using the established pipeline(s) either already in place at NYGC or state-of-the-art workflows developed by others.
• Collaborate with the software engineering team to ensure pipeline upgrades and new pipelines are properly implemented in our production workflow manager.
• Mentor Bioinformatics Analysts and Programmers.
• Help identify relevant funding opportunities and participate in grant writing.
• Publish developed methods and scientific findings in scientific journals and give presentations at conferences.
• Participate in community outreach.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change.

Requirements & Qualifications

• in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, computer science or similar required, or master’s degree plus 5 year’s work experience.
• Experience in cancer genomics required.
• Experience with large-scale next generation sequencing data required.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the use of existing bioinformatics tools and biological databases.
• Programming skills required; proficiency in python and R required, as well as willingness to learn new programming languages as necessary.
• Experience working in Linux and running tasks in a cluster environment (e.g., SGE) required.
• Experience working in teams centered around a biological question and with external collaborators required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Experience with cloud computing environments (optional).

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

• Technical and Professional Skills: Consistently demonstrates skills and knowledge relevant for current role; strives to expand the depth and breadth of technical and professional skills; works with a high level of integrity; exhibits focus and discipline; appropriately prioritizes, manages expectations and delivers on commitments.
• Collaborative & Communicative: Models collaboration and teamwork; brings out the best in others; effectively works with all levels, internally and externally; respects and embraces diversity of perspective; communicates clearly and listens carefully; uses good judgment as to what to communicate and when to do so.
• Adaptable & Innovative: Adaptable and embraces change; develops new insights and pursues improvements and efficiency; fosters exchange of new ideas and willing to challenge the status quo; takes initiative and is solution-oriented; engages in work with passion and curiosity.

Work Flexibility

NYGC has established a flexible work policy to give employees and other staff more ability to balance their work, personal commitments, and commuting challenges. The incumbent in this position is eligible for a flexible work schedule or hybrid remote work arrangement with supervisory approval.

Salary

The pay range for this position is $112,000 - 134,000 per year; base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, NYGC offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits as well as generous time off. Applicants should apply via NYGCs careers site. Please apply here.

About the New York Genome Center

The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is an independent, nonprofit, academic research organization dedicated to advancing genomic research. NYGC scientists and staff are furthering new approaches to diagnosing and treating neurological diseases and cancer through their unique capabilities in whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, state-of-the art analytics, and the development of genomic tools. NYGC concentrates specifically on disease-based research in the following areas: neuropsychiatric disease (autism, schizophrenia, bipolar); neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s), and cancer.

Located in Lower Manhattan, the New York Genome Center was founded by and remains closely affiliated with twelve leading academic medical centers and research universities in the New York region and beyond, engaging in research projects with and for these institutions. Essential to our collaborative work is an outstanding faculty, whose members typically hold a joint appointment at NYGC and a partner university. They support our scientific mission by conducting independent research in areas of mutual interest to us and the wider scientific community.

Please note: We care greatly about our employees’ wellbeing, so NYGC has moved to a fully COVID-19 vaccinated work environment. You must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to work at NYGC, even if you are working partially remotely. If you are selected to interview for this role, we will explain our vaccination policy (including medical and religious exemptions) and ensure you are comfortable moving forward with further interviews.

Equal Opportunity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the core mission at the NYGC. We strive to create a workplace environment that is welcoming and fair to all regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or religion. We believe that when people of various backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives work together in an inclusive and equitable environment we gain new and valuable perspectives that otherwise would have been missed. Valuing and supporting all NYGC employees as individuals while helping them realize their full potential is critical to promoting greater collaboration, innovation, and discovery – fostering a sense of belonging for our greatest strength, our people. We recognize that there is still work to be done that will require sustained commitment from the entire organization.

The New York Genome Center is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, protected veteran or military status, domestic violence victim status, partnership status, caregiver status, alienage or citizenship status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The New York Genome Center takes affirmative action in support of its policy to hire and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

FLSA Status – Exempt

This position is eligible for visa sponsorship and relocation assistance.