Bioinformatics Systems Analyst, UCSC Genomics Institute
Job Function Summary:
Involves technical acumen for planning, designing, developing, implementing and administering data-based systems that acquire, prepare, store and provide access to data and metadata. Maintains and optimizes systems and migrates data and systems as needed. Ensures integrity and completeness of data and workflow manages and/or develops data practices, databases and information systems as well as guidelines, dictionaries, registries and/or services. May include interpretation of scientific research data artifacts as well as mediation across science and technology domains and long-term data care. As an information architect and data steward, designs systems, data products and/or data production processes while focusing on data curation, data exchange, data security, data integrity, and information environments. (Re)evaluates frameworks, strategies, standards and standards-making activities. May involve work with a project-level data repository, a center or an archive.
Generic Scope:
Professional who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/ tasks of moderate scope and complexity; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action.
Custom Scope:
Collaborates with external research laboratories to import bioinformatic workflows into databases and web pages like Dockstore.org for display, access, and re-analysis. Works closely with biomedical lab personnel to prepare the workflows in a common workflow language like WDL or CWL. Searches literature and existing databases for key and important workflows as candidates to archive. This job includes outreach and some travel to scientific conferences. Works with internal software developers and database testing staff to ensure data integrity and make the data accessible to the scientific community through web-based access to public and proprietary databases.
Department Overview:
Comprising diverse researchers from a variety of disciplines across academic divisions, the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute leads UC Santa Cruz’s efforts to unlock the world’s genomic data and accelerate breakthroughs in health and evolutionary biology. Our platforms, technologies, and scientists unite global communities to create and deploy data-driven, life-saving treatments and innovative environmental and conservation efforts while addressing the most fundamental societal and policy questions.
The Computational Genomics Platform (CGP) team uses big data technologies to facilitate genomic research for global health issues such as breast cancer and other genetic risk factors. The team collaborates with many universities and institutes around the world. Examples of projects include supporting a global team to create the Human Cell Atlas, a compendium that maps gene activity in each cell in the human body, and the National Health Institute Data Commons project, which is about developing the technology to share and combine controlled access to genomic data across different institutes. If you are excited to work in a fast-paced, startup-like environment within an institution of higher education in beautiful Santa Cruz, California, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
30% - Utilizes software tools to import moderately complex biomedical workflows from external labs into UCSC databases and web pages like Dockstore.org; checks for consistency, accuracy and repeatability. Utilizes existing algorithms, techniques, and statistical methodologies to conduct data analysis. Works closely with lab personnel to reformat workflows into common workflow languages like CWL or WDL. Assists with implementation of changes to operational systems and databases.
10% - Creates and maintains web pages associated with data sets. Accurately captures and documents experimental methods at an appropriate technical level. Reads relevant scientific papers and incorporates information into data descriptions and data verification.
40% - Serves as UCSC contact for one or more external biomedical labs. Establishes data agreements and data delivery schedules, educates labs on metadata and workflow standards, and assists labs in data and metadata submission.
20% - Advises developers on user features and layouts that emphasize ease of users to understand and find their workflows and data.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Experience either in a biomedical lab or with use of genomic sequencing workflows.
- Experience using bioinformatics methods and data structures.
- Knowledge of and experience with databases.
- Experience working with large data sets.
- Interpersonal skills sufficient to work effectively and diplomatically with both internal and external
- technical and non-technical personnel at various levels.
- Ability to communicate technical information and scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner in English.
- Ability to self-motivate, learn quickly, meet deadlines, and solve problems.
- Knowledge of applications programming, scripting and web development in a UNIX environment.
- Bachelor's degree in biological science, computational/programming, or related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
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