Research Scientist II

Applications to be submitted by July 26, 2024 Compensation Grade: P22 Compensation Details: Minimum: $78,554.00

• Maximum: $78,554.00 Annually Department (OPH) WADS - Wadsworth Center About Health Research, Inc. Health Research, Inc. (HRI) contributes to the health and well-being of the people of New York State by complementing and enabling the strategic public health goals of the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC), and other health-related entities. HRI provides best-in-class resource administration for stakeholders and programs related to the work and priorities of the Department of Health and its other partners.
  
  HRI does this through the provision of knowledge, expertise, funding guidance, and fiduciary oversight of sponsored program funding for public health and research programs in concert with community partnerships. Health Research, Inc. (HRI) offers a robust, comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees, including: Health, dental and vision insurance

• Several comprehensive health insurance plans to choose from; Flexible benefit accounts

• Medical, dependent care, adoption assistance, parking and transit; Generous paid time off

• Paid federal and state holidays, paid sick, vacation and personal leave; Tuition support

• Assistance is available for individuals pursuing educational or training opportunities; Retirement Benefits

• HRI is a participating employer in the New York State and Local Retirement System and offers optional enrollment in the New York State Deferred Compensation Plan. HRI provides a postretirement Health Benefits Plan for qualified retirees to use towards health insurance premiums and eligible medical expenses; Employee Assistance Program

• Provides educational and wellness programs, training, and 24/7 confidential services to assist employees, both personally and professionally; And so much more! Job Description:
  
  Responsibilities Health Research, Inc. is seeking a Research Scientist II to work within the Bacteriology laboratory at the Wadsworth Center. Join our bioinformatics team to contribute to development and implementation of bioinformatic pipelines and data visualization tools for next generation sequencing (NGS) data as part of community and health care associated investigations and outbreaks of bacterial pathogens. Our team activities include optimizing NGS pipelines for utilization in a cloud environment, evaluation of commercially available data visualization and management tools for NGS data, and contributions to a CDC-funded national effort to develop guidelines to improve development and quality control of bioinformatic pipelines.
  
  Our work as a public health laboratory impacts New York and the national community in many ways including identifying sources of outbreaks, transmission of pathogens in healthcare facilities and detecting emerging bacterial pathogens. The Research Scientist II will work to support the development, implementation, or improvement of bioinformatic analysis solutions for clinical diagnostics as well as for community and health care associated investigations and public health surveillance. Analysis tools for next generation sequencing (NGS) data for bacterial pathogens will include tools to characterize food-borne bacteria, respiratory pathogens, vaccine preventable diseases and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
  
  The individual will also contribute to the development of new bioinformatic workflows to be executed in the cloud that take full advantage of cloud computing as well as the evaluation of new commercially available analysis tools for the improved visualization, management, and communication of NGS data. The incumbent will contribute to a CDC funded national effort to develop guidelines to standardize and improve utilization of bioinformatic pipelines for clinical and public health purposes. This position will be part of a dynamic team serving the Wadsworth Center's mission in the New York State Department of Health's efforts to protect and promote the health of New York's citizens.
  
  Come be a part of Science in the Pursuit of Health! Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related field and three years of research experience; or a Master's degree in a related field and two years of research experience; or a Doctorate in a related field. Preferred Qualifications Experience in a clinical or public health laboratory analyzing next generation sequencing data.
  
  Graduate degree in bioinformatics, computer science, computational biology, or a related field. Experience developing analysis tools for next generation sequencing (NGS) data for clinical and surveillance testing of bacterial pathogens. Experience in cloud computing environments; fluency in Python and bash scripting (additional languages beneficial); experience with the use and creation of software application containers (e.g., Docker); experience with the application of NGS oriented bioinformatic software tools; experience in NGS workflows and data visualization, dashboards, and data management; experience working in collaborative settings; and demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
  Conditions of Employment Grant funded position. Compliance with funding requirements such as time and effort reporting, grant deliverables, and contract deliverables, is required.
  
  Travel, up to 10% of the time, will be required.
  
  This position requires that the incumbent will report to the official work location and live within commuting distance to the official work location. Telecommuting may be available on a limited basis. HRI participates in the E-Verify Program.
  
  HRI has a long-standing dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce. HRI is committed to the principle of non-discrimination in all phases of its employment procedures and practices. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Qualified Individuals with Disabilities/Qualified Protected Veterans www.healthresearch.org As the Executive Director of Health Research, Inc. (HRI), I would like to welcome you to HRI's career page.
  
  HRI's mission is to build a healthier future for New York State and beyond through the delivery of funding and program support to further public health and research programs in support of the New York State Department of Health, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and other entities. This achievement is made possible through the recruitment of highly talented and qualified individuals. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, we at HRI pride ourselves on our longstanding dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce.
  
  This commitment is reflected in our equal opportunity employment policy: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. HRI embraces and values all dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to make HRI a welcoming environment and to best serve the needs of the various public health and research programs throughout New York State. HRI is committed to fostering a diverse pool of qualified candidates, and we warmly invite you to apply to any open position(s) that interest you.