Bioinformatician

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research brings together world leading researchers and clinicians collaborating locally and globally to improve human health. Our mission is to harness all the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose treat predict and prevent disease. From the individual patient with rare disease to the many thousands affected by complex widespread illness we are pioneering discoveries across diseases that have the deepest impact on our community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Were seeking a motivated and collaborative Bioinformatician to support our large-scale cellular genomics research program. Working as part of a highly productive multidisciplinary team you will contribute to the processing quality control and interpretation of single-cell and multi-omic datasets generated across several flagship projects. This role is ideal for someone early in their bioinformatics career who is eager to learn grow and work with cutting-edge

data.

You will help operate maintain and refine established computational pipelines (primarily in Python and R) assist with routine and bespoke analyses and support the integration of multi-layered datasets including scRNA-seq scATAC-seq genotype data and functional readouts. A key part of the role will involve generating clear data visualisations summaries and figures to support manuscripts presentations and internal project meetings.

You will work closely with postdoctoral researchers and senior analysts contributing directly to major research efforts such as TenK10K. The position offers strong opportunities for skill development exposure to state-of-the-art analytical methods and the chance to make meaningful contributions to high-impact publications and translational research outcomes.

If you are enthusiastic organised and eager to learn modern computational genomics in a supportive fast-moving research environment we would love to hear from you.

The Powell Labs research focused on how human genetic variation shapes cellular function and disease with the long-term vision of building a cell-resolved causal map of human biology. We seek to understand at scale how DNA variation rewires regulatory networks shifts cell states and drives human disease and to translate these insights into better diagnostics and therapeutics.

To achieve this we develop and integrate cutting-edge experimental and computational platforms:

• Large-cohort single-cell genomics (e.g. TenK10K) generating millions of profiles to map regulatory architecture across diverse individuals.

• iPSC Village systems and CRISPR perturbation to experimentally dissect and validate gene function in controlled scalable cellular models.

• Advanced computational genomics machine learning and causal inference frameworks that link genetic variants to cellular mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities.

Our research spans immune biology cardiac disease neurodegeneration and cancer unified by a central question: Which genes cell states and molecular pathways are causally driving human traits and disease and how can we intervene

Why join us

We have built a team that thrives at the intersection of genomics AI and cellular biology. Lab members gain access to unique population-scale datasets advanced wet- and dry-lab technologies and pathways to meaningful collaborations with clinicians industry partners and international consortia.

We offer an environment that values:

• Scientific independence and creativity

• Rigorous reproducible research

• Collaboration and mentorship and

• Ambition to tackle big long-term scientific problems.

Our vision is to train and empower the next generation of scientists who will shape the future of personalised and predictive medicine. If you want to work on high-impact problems build foundational resources for global science and help translate genomic insights into real-world advances the Powell Lab is an inspiring place to do it.

Salary: $90000 $% super salary packaging (depending on experience)

Employment Type: 2-year fixed-term contract

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS

• Generous salary packaging to save you income tax on your wages thereby boosting your monthly take home pay (max. $15900 general expenses $2650 meals/accom)

• Ample opportunities for on-going training and development

• Stimulating diverse and highly international research environment

• Flexible work arrangements e.g. start / finish times

• 18 weeks paid parental leave for both parents including paid superannuation

• A range of additional leave types to meet your personal needs including cultural leave conference leave community service and study leave

• Discounted Health Insurance

• Lifestyle discounts with our community partners

WHAT YOU WILL DO

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a 2-year full-time position. The incumbent bioinformatician will work closely with Dr Albert Henry as well as other members of the lab to support computational research activities across the following areas:

• Bioinformatics

  • Curating results from large-scale multi-omics studies (including single-cell transcriptomics epigenomics and proteomics quantitative trait loci mapping genome-wide association studies and phenome-wide association studies) to identify effective therapeutic targets.

  • Developing and maintaining a database to integrate results from large-scale multi-omics studies to facilitate efficient query and high-throughput analysis.

  • Developing statistical and machine learning methods to identify and prioritise drug targets by leveraging results from multi-omics studies

• Computational biology

  • Resolving the genetic mechanisms of complex human disease in stem cell models by applying single-cell multi-omics and statistical genetics methods.

  • Applying ML/AI algorithms and software to large-scale genomic data

  • Analysing data generated within the group by collaborators or in the public domain to answer research questions

Additional responsibilities include:

• Staying informed on advances in computational genomics methods as well as building and maintaining biological domain expertise

• Presenting results in meetings and conferences.

• Contributing to scientific manuscripts

• Collaborating with other group members and as part of national and international consortia

• Record-keeping and administrative aspects that underlie scientific research - in discussion with group members and the development of timelines.

• Attending discussing and reviewing current and future techniques within the institute

In addition to supporting the outlined research activities opportunities will be made available to pursue and publish leading research.

ABOUT YOU

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

The key skills and experience of a Bioinformation include:

A strong background in computational genomics bioinformatics or data science is preferred.

Highly motivated individuals with a strong attention to detail multi-tasking skills and a

willingness to learn new technologies are also encouraged to apply.

Essential criteria

• An honours degree or higher qualification in a relevant field such as bioinformatics computer science data science biology statistics or other relevant areas or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Good knowledge of statistical genetics and analyses of single-cell and genomics data (e.g. single-cell transcriptomics molecular quantitative trait loci mapping genome-wide association analysis rare variant association testing)

• High proficiency in programming and scripting languages (e.g. Python R Rust)

• Experience with Unix and HPC environments

• Demonstrated experience using version control for code development and reproducible research

• An interest in human genetics cellular biology and drug development

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Good communication skills and strong in teamwork and collaborative research

• Excellent project management and organisation skills

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Experience in managing large datasets in an HPC environment

• Experience with workflow management systems (e.g. Snakemake Nextflow) to perform large-scale analysis in an HPC environment

• Experience in developing and maintaining open-source software for research

• Good knowledge of statistics and presentation of single-cell molecular data.

• Experience and expertise in ML/AI algorithms for analysis of genomic data

Key Personal Attributes

• Collaborative mindset enjoys working closely with postdocs and researchers
  contributing to shared goals and supporting team-based science.

• Strong communication skills able to explain analytical approaches clearly to both
  computational and experimental colleagues.

• Problem-solving orientation proactive in identifying issues in data pipelines or
  analyses and driving solutions independently.

• Attention to detail committed to producing high-quality reproducible work across
  large and complex datasets.

• Adaptability comfortable working across multiple projects and adjusting to the
  evolving needs of fast-moving research programs.

• Organised and reliable can manage competing priorities maintain well-structured
  code and documentation and meet project timelines.

• Curiosity and initiative motivated to learn new methods improve workflows and
  contribute ideas to enhance the labs computational capabilities.

• Commitment to scientific excellence values rigour transparency and continuous
  improvement.

ABOUT GARVAN

Garvan Institute of Medical Research is an independent Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Sydney delivering scientific and clinical impact on a global basis and in partnership with organisations that share our vision. We are proud to be one of Australias largest and most highly regarded MRIs.

Our vision is global leadership in discoveries to impact and our enduring purpose is to impact human health by harnessing information encoded in our genome.

We seek to see our world-class discovery research achieve life-changing impacts not only for individual patients with rare diseases but for the many thousands affected by complex common disease.

Garvan promotes a diverse workplace and is committed to the principles of equity diversity inclusion and belonging. We are always looking for culture add not culture fit and are building diverse teams with great sets of complementary styles and skills to help deliver our important work effectively.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position please submit your application with a CV and cover letter as one document stating why you are interested in this role. We are reviewing applications as they are received. If you think youre the right person for this role wed love to hear how your capabilities achievements and experience set you apart. Only applicants with full working rights in Australia are eligible to apply for this role.