Job Description
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How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume or CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position (1/2 page maximum), outline your skills and related experience focusing on the required qualifications (1 page maximum), and describe your role in the most successful or most recent research project requiring bioinformatics (1/2 page maximum).
Job Summary An exciting opportunity has been created for an enterprising bioinformatician to join the Population, Neurodevelopment and Genetics (PNG) Program at the the Survey Research Center (SRC) within the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR). The PNG Program currently consists of a growing number of scholars with funded research projects that link many different disciplinary perspectives, including developmental and clinical psychology, genetics, sociology, neuroscience, demography, public health, and education. For more details, please see pngprogram.com.
Our Biodemography lab focuses on identifying biosocial processes that influence health and wellbeing across the life course. We do this using genomic data (genetic, epigenetic, gene expression, etc.) collected as part of large population-based studies. The bioinformatician would help to investigate social, genetic, and epigenetic factors under the direct supervision of Drs. Colter Mitchell and Jessica Faul and will perform data management, integration, and analysis of social, health, and genetic/epigenomic measures. Further, they would adapt, perform, and interpret analyses for applied epigenetic, social, and genetic epidemiology. Full knowledge of all methods, measures, and data is not necessary, but experience using omic data in a high-performance computing environment is critical.
Why Work at Michigan?
Benefits In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and any eligible family members and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting upon meeting eligibility requirements
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Learn More About U-M Benefits. Responsibilities*
50% Adapt, perform, and interpret epigenome- and genome-wide analyses in large population studies of children to young adult (Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study) and older adults (Health and Retirement Study). This includes generating epigenetic or genetic measures (cell distribution estimates, epigenetic surrogates, polygenic scores, etc.), and conducting analyses (EWAS, GWAS, etc.), all under the supervision of senior members of the team.
15% Create and maintain clear and organized workflow documentation for internal and external review. Chronicle data management and analysis steps and annotate program files to ensure full transparency and reproducibility as part of an analysis pipeline. This includes the creation of specialized R-packages for harmonization with other studies.
15% Conduct literature reviews on sociogenomic topics. Write data and analysis sections for working papers, reports, grants, and manuscripts for submission in concert with senior staff input. Collaborate in the development of data presentations and posters for conferences and workshops.
10% Implement research plans to attain specific aims of multiple research projects. Consult with collaborators to design and evaluate research projects. Assist in data acquisition and sharing tasks, such as data use agreements and interfacing with EWAS catalogue, dbGaP, NIAGADS, and GEO.
10% Perform regular maintenance of datasets including merging files, restructuring and recoding variables, and checking for errors. Train other program members as well as teaching junior researchers during relevant program training opportunities (Genomics for Social Scientists R25 training course) in bioinformatic skills.
Required Qualifications*
Bachelor's degree in a recognized field of science or learning which is directly related to the duties of the position, including, but not limited to, social and behavioral sciences, biological and health sciences, or mathematics, statistical and data sciences.
Two years of relevant experience adapting / analyzing bioinformatic data.
Experience analyzing large and complex biological and/or 'omics datasets using reproducible analysis approaches (e.g. analytic pipelines).
Data management and statistical modeling programming experience in R or other omic analysis software using command line programming such as Linux
Highly motivated to learn and implement novel quality control and analyses techniques for genomic data
Excellent multi-tasking ability in order to facilitate several research projects at different stages of completion
Exemplary record-keeping skills for documentation of analyses and analysis pipelines
Must be able to work independently and as part of a research team
Desired Qualifications*
Master's Degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field of work.
Experience with epigenetic analysis of large health or social science studies
Familiarity with quantitative epidemiologic or social science
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Institute for Social Research job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Job Tags
Immediate start, Remote work, Flexible hours,