Computational Biologist

Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.
Computational Biologist
US-OR-Portland
Job ID: 2024-31147
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Research
Portland, OR (Waterfront)
Overview

In this dynamic and inspiring environment, the research group led by Dr. Hisham Mohammed is seeking a talented Computational Biologist with a strong focus on DNA methylation data analysis. The successful candidate will play a critical role in analyzing large-scale DNA methylation datasets, including both bulk sequencing and single-cell data, with the goal of longitudinally generating disease-specific "clocks" for early cancer detection.

• Process, analyze, and interpret large-scale DNA methylation datasets, including bulk and single-cell sequencing data.
• Apply existing bioinformatics tools and methods for DNA methylation analysis, while also developing novel approaches as necessary to address specific research questions.
• Generate disease-specific epigenetic "clocks" through longitudinal data analysis to enhance our understanding of cancer progression and early detection.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to integrate DNA methylation data with other omics data, contributing to a holistic understanding of cancer biology.
• Stay current with advances in computational biology, DNA methylation research, and multi-omics analysis, continuously adapting and applying new techniques to ongoing research.

Key Responsibilities

• Computational Research Collaboration and Management: Collaborate with team members on developing computational research projects, employing suitable analytical methods and tools. Perform detailed data analysis, interpret results, and evaluate their alignment with shared project goals. Ensure thorough documentation of computational procedures, analyses, and findings. Maintain up-to-date knowledge in computational biology by reviewing current scientific literature. Apply innovative computational techniques as needed to support team objectives.
• Scientific Communication and Collaborative Proposal Development: Assist in preparing research findings for presentation at conferences and for publication, contributing computational insights. Participate in the development of research proposals and progress reports, integrating computational biology perspectives for team presentations and internal reviews.
• Data Organization and Team Compliance: Develop strategies to enhance data organization and project efficiency, aligning with team goals. Provide guidance on computational methods and data management practices within the team. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and assist in the preparation of necessary documentation for ethical and regulatory oversight.
• Team Integration and Collaborative Partnerships: Engage actively with academic and industry partners, contributing computational expertise to collaborative projects. Support the management of projects funded, ensuring effective communication of computational progress to external partners. Participate in teaching and knowledge-sharing activities within the team, enhancing the computational biology capabilities of colleagues.
• Protected Work Time: Protected time for non-research related CEDAR work, including time for CEDAR Council, Infrastructure, DEI, Engagement, Professional Development, etc.

Responsibilities

Education & experience:

• Master’s degree in Computational Biology or related field OR Bachelor’s degree in Computational Biology or related field AND 3 years of relevant experience

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to process and analyze biological data.
• Basic understanding of molecular biology, genetics, or related life sciences disciplines.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team while being collaborative in resolving problems

Qualifications

• 2 or more years in a research position, including at least 1 year of supervisory and project management experience
• Expertise in cancer biology
• Experience with machine learning and statistical data analysis.
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing data analysis.
• Prior exposure to project management and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new computational methods and tools rapidly.
• Interest in contributing to the development and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines.
• Eagerness to engage in continuous learning and skill development in computational biology.

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