Researcher 5

About the Job

The Research Informatics (RI) Bioinformatics group within the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI) is hiring a full-time Bioinformatics Analyst to support research at the University of Minnesota. The analyst in this position will conduct a wide array of bioinformatics analyses for projects in diverse research areas and biological systems. Successful candidates will join the seven-person Core Bioinformatics team, a subset of the nineteen-person RI Bioinformatics group at MSI.

Our group meets the bioinformatics needs of researchers across the University and the State of Minnesota, analyzing data from model and non-model organisms generated from a variety of technologies, including genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic assays. Projects frequently utilize new technologies, including the latest platforms for spatial transcriptomics as well as single-cell and long-read sequencing.

As part of an interdisciplinary team, the successful candidate will have the following responsibilities as they serve as a bioinformatics analyst at MSI. Percentages are an approximate breakdown of time/effort in the role.:

60% - Provide bioinformatics support to researchers through tasks including:

• Consulting with researchers on experimental design and planning

• Designing and implementing appropriate informatics workflows, including identifying and integrating analysis methods for new, cutting-edge molecular technologies into workflows as they become useful for research (e.g., single-cell expression profiling, long-read sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, etc.

• Appropriately document and communicate methods and results through both internal and external reports, publications, and presentations

40% - Provide informatics and computational support for MSI infrastructure and services including such tasks as:

• Developing and providing bioinformatics tutorials

• Developing and maintaining bioinformatics analysis pipelines

• Working on cross-cutting MSI teams for MSI infrastructure projects

• Answering MSI user help tickets

The Research and Innovation Office (RIO) and MSI have a strong commitment to the University's goal of creating a positive and inclusive campus climate by advancing equity and diversity. We aim to hire high-potential people with varying identities and backgrounds. The analyst in this position must have excellent communication skills, strong analytical, computational, and life sciences training or experience, and be comfortable working independently and as part of a cross-functional research team on diverse projects.

RIO and MSI endorse a "work with flexibility" approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. This MSI position has responsibilities that will require on-site work at least 50% of the time. This position is not eligible for 100% remote work. Offices for bioinformatics staff positions are located in Walter Library on the Twin Cities, East Bank Campus.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate (e.g. in life sciences, computer science, or related field) with 3+ years of research experience in genomics, genetics, molecular biology or computational biology.

• Hands-on experience in developing and carrying out bioinformatic analyses and pipelines for analyzing datasets from high-throughput platforms such as next generation sequencing.

• Experience/general proficiency with UNIX shell environment, a programming language (ideally R or python), plus currently used tools (e.g. BWA, HISAT2, STAR, GATK, freebayes, Cell Ranger, Seurat, edgeR, DESeq2, etc.).

• Must be able to understand and translate life scientist researchers' scientific goals into analytical strategies and process requirements.

• Must be able to function as part of a team while demonstrating self-initiative to achieve the project's goals and the group's mission.

• Critical and independent thinking.

• Excellent oral and written English communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced statistical and data modeling skills, including machine learning.

• Use of reproducible research methods and software version control (e.g. git/GitHub).

• Experience using high performance computing (HPC) environments and job scheduling.

The ideal candidate will have advanced knowledge of next generation sequencing technologies with demonstrated practical experience in developing and carrying out analytical strategies in the context of NGS applications (e.g. bulk and single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, DNA SNP and structural variant detection and population-level variant calling, de novo genome or transcriptome assembly, etc.). While candidates for this role ideally will have experience in more than one type of bioinformatics analysis, candidates are not expected to have experience in all types of analyses we handle. Learning new analysis techniques is part of the role.

About the Department

The Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (MSI) is a core research facility of the University of Minnesota (U of M), and is part of Research Computing within the Research and Innovation Office (RIO). MSI provides advanced research computing infrastructure and expertise to the University's research and scholarly community and the State of Minnesota in order to advance and accelerate research and foster innovation and discoveries through advanced computing technologies, scientific computing and informatics, application development, and services. The Institute currently supports over 900 different groups with over 4,500 active users spanning the sciences, engineering, life sciences, medicine, and social sciences. The Research Informatics (RI) Bioinformatics group at MSI was formed in 2011, leveraging MSI's rich computational environment to foster innovative bioinformatics collaboration with researchers across the University and the State of Minnesota.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off

• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program

• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans

• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts

• University HSA contributions

• Disability and employer-paid life insurance

• Employee wellbeing program

• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity

• Financial counseling services

• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).