Bioinformatician, Queensland Genomic Health Project

Position Overview

James Cook University is a leader in education and research addressing the critical challenges facing the tropics, world-wide. A defining feature of JCU is its tropical location and its research excellence in disciplines of particular relevance to the tropics. As a comprehensive university in the Tropics, JCU seeks to foster cross-disciplinary research to meet these challenges.

Molecular & Cell Biology is a research-intensive academic group within the College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences. We are seeking to appoint a bioinformatician to work on a human cancer genetics project in collaboration with a major clinical genetics group based in Brisbane. Ideal candidates will have experience with genomics, high-performance computing, and software development.

The appointee will take responsibility for development and implementation of a best practice computational software infrastructure for the analysis of patient sequence information. The appointee will interact with research teams and clinicians and further develop software to build on existing work in personalized medicine. The goal of the system developed will be to perform variant identification in human sequence data with the output utilized for personalized medicine within the Townsville hospital. The position is funded for 18 months.

Organisational Charts

James Cook University

Division of Tropical Health & Medicine

College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences

Molecular & Cell Biology

Principal Accountabilities

1. Install and maintain an existing software code base utilised for the identification of variants in human sequence data
2. Develop targeted components of automated analysis infrastructure to support new methodology or research activities.
3. Contribute to writing of documentation for internal users, certification bodies and external users
4. Work with Townsville hospital IT department to extract relevant patient information
5. Contribute to administrative matters within the College and Division as requested.
6. Support the University's commitment to the principles of reconciliation, which exemplify respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and the valuing of justice and equity for all Australians.
7. Demonstrate a commitment to the University values.
8. Support the principles of the TropEco program and engage in commitment to JCU sustainability goals and objectives.

Generic Accountabilities 

There are generic responsibilities that apply to all James Cook University staff. 

1. The Bioinformatician is required to observe the lawful and reasonable directions, policies and decisions of the University Council, understand and comply with the Enterprise Agreement, the Statutes and Rules of the University, the policies and decisions of the University Council and other appropriate University authorities, as in force from time to time.
2. The Bioinformatician is required to demonstrate a personal commitment to ensure personal safety and the safety of others and contribute to the continuous improvement of our WHS performance. This includes the effective implementation and compliance with James Cook University WHS policies, procedures and safe systems of work, together with all relevant legislation, duties and obligations. Contribute to the continuous improvement of our WHS performance.
3. The Bioinformatician is required to exercise proper discretion in all matters affecting the well-being of the University which involve public writing or speaking in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct. 

Special Conditions

Selection Criteria

Selection and appointments will be assessed against selection criteria.

Essential

1. A degree in medical genetics, genomics, computer science or other closely related discipline
2. Experience with software installation and maintenance
3. Demonstrable experience of software development with a shared code base, preferably with a language such as Python, Perl, and/or Java.
4. Strong experience of unix-based computer systems, and highly desirable that this includes demonstrable experience gained in a high-performance computing environment
5. Experience with relational databases and/or noSQL tools highly desirable
6. Evidence of being team-oriented and motivated to work on fast-paced projects with a diverse range of collaborators and minimal supervision
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable

1. Previous experience with clinical sequence data
2. Experience in a research environment