Summary

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is immediately seeking a computational scientist at the level of Assistant/Associate/Full Computational Scientist to join our Machine Learning & Imaging, Computational Sciences (CS) group. This position offers the opportunity to participate in the collaborative bioinformatics program of Machine Learning & Imaging focus and make significant contributions to the cutting-edge projects at The Jackson Laboratory.  Successful incumbents will closely work with the research faculty & genetic resource scientists across all three campuses of JAX on projects of wide-ranging complexity from a diverse array of biomedical disciplines such as cancer biology, aging, immunology, infectious diseases, metabolomics, neural disorders, muscular disorders, statistical genetics, and stem cell & developmental biology. They may also work with The JAX Mice & Clinical Research Services staff and Scientific Services to meet the analytical needs of JAX’s services, clients and partners. In addition, Successful incumbents will participate in all CS departmental activities and collaborations as assigned. They may include but are not limited to, mentoring interns, postdoctoral fellows & scientists, and participating in grant writing.

Successful candidates will have knowledge and experience in analysis of genomics, genetics, epigenomics and/or image data, be able to evaluate and develop analytical tools and technologies, and deliver training to the research community. They are continuous learners and proactive contributors.

Computational Scientists are expected to have developed in-depth knowledge in selected biological disciplines and be able to provide expert reasoning to the relevant projects and participate in grant application.  They are also expected to provide project leadership and mentoring of less experienced analysts and scientists. A full Computational Scientist is expected to independently establish collaborations within JAX and make leading contributions to the grant applications in collaboration with JAX researchers.

Full and partial remote work options are available with hiring manager approval. Periodic travel to Bar Harbor and/or Farmington campuses is expected in the future.

Responsibilities

• Assistant and Associate Computational Scientist performs, under minimal supervision, computational analysis of omics data, algorithm development and implementation, as well as bioinformatics programming. Evaluate data for quality assurance and mining bioinformatics databases. Present the results at international conferences and workshops. Contribute to the education and training courses conducted by CS and The JAX for internal as well as external communities. Computational Scientists are expected to do so without supervision.
• Associate Computational Scientist starts demonstrating strong potential to develop analytical expertise to a few selected biological disciplines, independent collaboration, and project leadership.
• A Full Computational Scientist independently establishes collaborations within The Jackson Laboratory, provides expert reasoning to the projects relevant to the scientist’s research disciplines, lead or co-lead grant writing in collaboration with the researchers at JAX as demonstrated by a role as PI and co-I in the grant applications. A scientist also demonstrates strong potential to carry out the collaborative bioinformatics program independently.
• Participate in departmental and project activities such as developing pipelines, participating in conducting courses and workshops at JAX, providing leading contributions to grant applications, helping students and scientists, participating in CS meetings, and presenting results and processes to the JAX community and at conferences and workshops as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum educational requirement for a Computational Scientist is a PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Biostatistics, Machine Learning or relevant areas.
  • Associate Scientist will possess 2-5 years of experience in Bioinformatics research, while a Full level will possess 5-10 years of experience in Bioinformatics research, excluding time spent to obtain Ph.D. Candidates who are near the completion of their Ph.D. can also apply.
• Successful incumbents demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience of managing projects and collaborations are key for Associate/Full computational scientist positions.
• Prior successes in and desire to contribute to team projects on an ongoing basis is a plus.

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least 5 years Python experience; at least 3 years R experience
• The ability to develop deep learning models using TF/Keras and/or Pytorch
• A clear understanding and application of different machine learning algorithms such as linear regression, logistic regression, decision trees, SVM, Naïve Bayes, KNN, random forest, gradient boost, etc.
• Solid knowledge of Unix OS, version control software

• Excellent oral communication skills, including skills necessary to present at the conferences and workshops, and contribute to grant applications
• A track record of peer-reviewed publication in reputed scientific journals

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with more than 2,400 employees. Headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine, it has a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in Augusta, Maine, a genomic medicine institute in Farmington, Connecticut, and facilities in Ellsworth, Maine, Sacramento, California, and Shanghai, China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

JAX employees work in a collaborative, value-driven, and team-based environment where the focus is on advancing science and improving patients’ lives. Researchers apply genetics to increase the understanding of human disease and advance treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging, and heart disease. JAX was voted among the top 15 “Best Places to Work in Academia” in the United States in a poll conducted by The Scientist magazine!

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.