The Department of Genetics at Stanford University has an excellent opportunity for a motivated and experienced scientist that is interested in big data management and wrangling. In this position you will join a team of professionals including Ph.D. biologists and geneticists at the Data Administrative Coordination Center (DACC) of the Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) Consortium, an ongoing international collaboration of research groups funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The IGVF Consortium aims to understand how genomic variation affects genome function, which in turn impacts phenotype. The IGVF DACC's primary task is to curate, uniformly process and validate the data generated and submitted by IGVF Consortium members in preparation for release to the scientific community. As a Data Wrangler you will join a team serving as the primary liaison with international research laboratories facilitating the acquisition of the high-throughput data produced by the consortium labs and responsible for data modeling and curation.
For the role under consideration, an optimal candidate will possess profound expertise in high-throughput experimental methodologies along with a deep understanding of large genomic datasets and related computational analyses. Such knowledge base is essential for accurately interpreting and describing the nature of complex data inherent to this role. Previous experience in laboratory settings with a focus on generating genomic datasets will be beneficial. Furthermore, specialization in bioinformatics with an ability to discern RNA transcripts, transcription factor binding sites, epigenomic patterns, histone modifications, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), and variants within such genomic datasets is highly desirable. Competence in genomic perturbation techniques, such as CRISPR screening, single cell data manipulation and perturbation analyses, will also be advantageous for this role. Past experience in employing controlled vocabularies and ontologies to elucidate biological concepts will be viewed favorably. An advanced degree, specifically a M.Sc. in Biology, Genetics or Bioinformatics, is highly desirable for effectively assessing intricate experimental details and critically examining novel experimental data for quality control.
Familiarity with Agile project management principles and SCRUM methodologies will be beneficial. The role requires close collaboration with software engineering, data curation, and bioinformatics staff for the design, refinement, and implementation of tools purposed to integrate, search, and exhibit experimental data.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential in order to provide instruction and feedback to members of the scientific community and to facilitate the acquisition and description of high-throughput data, to effectively provide documentation and specifications to co-workers during tool development, and to contribute to FAQs, tutorials, and publications.
Previous experience working in an academic environment is a plus.
Experience with scripting languages is a plus.
Compliance with and support of University and government health & safety regulations & policies is required.
Duties include:
- Identify and acquire new data for inclusion in the database; collaborate with other labs for the purpose of gathering more information to be included in the database.
- Review submissions to the database for quality and relevancy; abstract information in the required formats.
- Write papers drawing from information submitted to the database.
- Work with users to determine ways of using the information in the database, which may include the development of new user interfaces; work with developers to translate the needs of the users into new functionality.
- Promote the database to researchers as a tool to be used in their research and as a way to gather more content.
- Identify new functionality and user interfaces that would enhance the use of the database.
- Compile and create educated summaries of the literature, discovering new facts by analyzing the collected data.
- Participate in presentations and demonstrations of the database at conferences or other institutions.
- Collect and analyze information from peer-reviewed scientific journals and through direct submissions; abstract data into the required format, and verify them for accuracy.
- Attend project meetings.
* - Other duties may also be assigned
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):
Master's degree in scientific field and three years of relevant experience or combination of relevant experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):
- Strong analytical skills.
- Ability to learn and utilize relational databases, data integration, and statistics.
- Strong written and oral English communication skills.
- Computer skills, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.
- Ability to understand scientific literature, experimental procedures and their limitations, and current needs of the research community.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
Frequently perform desk based computer tasks, seated work and use light/ fine grasping. Occasionally stand, walk, and write by hand, lift, carry, push pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- May work extended or non-standard hours based on project or business needs. Occasional local travel may be required.
- Some work may be performed in a laboratory setting.
