Bioinformatician at Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI)

Responsibilities

The Bioinformatician will develop and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for large-scale genomic data analysis, including WGS, WES, and targeted sequencing, using advanced computational tools. They will perform variant annotation, functional prediction, and pathway analysis, collaborating with researchers to interpret findings and generate hypotheses. In HIV drug resistance studies, they will analyze data to identify mutations linked to antiretroviral drug resistance and develop predictive models to guide treatment decisions. Additionally, they will create custom scripts and tools, stay updated on bioinformatics advancements, and communicate research findings through reports and publications, while effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to design and execute research projects. The Bioinformatician will also contribute to the HIV cure agenda by supporting research aimed at achieving sustained viral remission and, ultimately, viral eradication, and ensuring equitable access to advancements in HIV treatment and prevention.

• Develop and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for processing and analyzing large-scale genomic data, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and targeted sequencing data.
• Utilize computational tools and techniques to identify genetic variants associated with HIV resistance, drug response, and viral evolution.
• Perform variant annotation, functional prediction, and pathway analysis to uncover the biological significance of identified genetic variants.
• Collaborate with researchers to interpret genomic findings and generate hypotheses for further investigation.
• Analyze genomic data from HIV-infected individuals to identify mutations associated with resistance to antiretroviral drugs.
• Develop and apply computational models to predict drug resistance profiles and guide treatment decisions.
• Develop custom scripts, pipelines, and software tools to address specific research questions and improve data analysis efficiency.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in bioinformatics and computational biology to ensure the use of state-of-the-art methods.
• Collaborate effectively with researchers, clinicians, and other bioinformaticians to design and execute research projects.
• Communicate research findings clearly and concisely through written reports, presentations, and publications.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• BSc in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, Genomics, or a related field.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools and software, including SAMtools, GATK, Picard, and Variant Effect Predictor (VEP), VCF Tools, Qiime

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, Bash.
• Familiarity with genomic data analysis techniques, such as variant calling, annotation, GBS and population genetics.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.