Bioinformatics Specialist

The School of Biomedical Engineering is a partnership between the Faculties of Medicine and Applied Science. The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering; creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation. The School is currently responsible for 350+ undergraduate students, 140+ graduate students and 30+ faculty. Over time, the School will be responsible for as many as 400+ undergraduate students, 200+ graduate students and 40+ faculty.

The Yachie Laboratory at the UBC SBME has been developing synthetic biology and cell engineering technologies to understand dynamic behaviors of cells in mammalian body systems. Leveraging new types of datasets obtained from these approaches and single-cell genomics measurements, we envision the establishment of a universal cell agent-based model. Our first target will be the establishment of a human lung cell model that interprets lung cell differentiation and diverse lung disorders. We are seeking a Bioinformatics Specialist who develops a high-performance computing platform to infer a human gene regulatory network model from large-scale single-cell genomics datasets using distributed computing and artificial intelligence-based approaches.

Organizational Status
The Bioinformatics Specialist reports to Dr. Yachie and works collaboratively with other members of the Yachie Laboratory.

Work Performed

• Develops a strategic research plan on the computational reconstruction of a universal human gene regulatory network using many single-cell genomics datasets.
• Develops, tests and maintains web-browser- and command-line-based bioinformatics software and applications.
• In collaboration with a Ph.D. student, co-develops a platform to infer gene regulatory networks from large-scale single-cell genomics datasets.
• Develops, tests and maintains software pipelines and standard operating procedures for bioinformatics data analysis.
• Develops a divide-and-conquer based framework to integrate multiple gene regulatory network models using distributed computing and machine learning-based data assimilation approaches.
• Conducts and supports bioinformatics and statistical analyses and interpretation of single-cell genomics data in internal and collaborative research projects using appropriate software tools and custom programs and scripts.
• Manages two laboratory staff members and two students in the analysis of single-cell genomics data using standard software packages.
• Manages memberships and software tools of the high-performance computing infrastructures used in the laboratory.
• Responds to ongoing requests for progress reports by maintaining and updating information to ensure compliance with granting agencies and other external organizations.
• Documents and communicates analysis results in written and oral form.
• Creates and maintains developer documentation.
• Collaborates with the supervisor to write research proposals for grant applications, as appropriate.
• Writes research reports and prepares financial reports for research projects.
• Interacts with other team members to resolve problems, distribute tasks and plan future steps; contributes to team interactions by consultation, collaboration, teamwork and task-sharing.
• Performs other duties as required.
• The work will be performed in the Yachie laboratory at the Biomedical Research Centre, and remote work will not be permitted.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work is expected to be at a high level of accuracy with excellent attention to detail. Errors in judgment could affect and delay the operations of the School, individual faculty members, students, and other stakeholders and have the potential to impact their overall reputation. This position requires a daily exercise of a considerable amount of judgment, responsibility, and initiative in determining work procedures and methods and coordinating the work of the unit.

Supervision Received
Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or matters that depart significantly from established policy and procedure. The Bioinformatics Specialist is expected to report work progress on a weekly basis and communicate with Dr. Yachie on the strategic research directions and any potential changes in an identified project.

Supervision Given
Manages two laboratory members in analyzing single-cell genomics data with standard software packages.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge in molecular and cellular biology and genomics.
• Well-grounded knowledge and skills in biology, computational biology, single cell genomics, data science, and high-performance computing, preferred.
• Programming skills in Python and R preferred.
• Skills to operate distributed computing environments are preferred.
• Ability to gather, record, and organize information.
• Ability to effectively use SPSS, word processing, spreadsheet, internet, and electronic mail applications.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to supervise a team of research assistants.