Research Officer (Statistical Bioinformatics)
Bioinformatics Division, WEHI, Australia

An opportunity is available for a Research Officer (Statistical Bioinformatics) to join the Bioinformatics Division at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the position

An exciting opportunity exists for a postdoctoral scientist (Research Officer) to join the research laboratory of Professor Gordon Smyth in the Bioinformatics Division at WEHI.

The laboratory develops advanced computational and statistical bioinformatics strategies to analyze and interpret genomic data sets, with particular emphasis on gene expression and the regulation of gene expression. In collaboration with biomedical scientists, the laboratory works on cancer genomics and immune disorders.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Smyth and Dr Yunshun (Andy) Chen and will work on cancer genomics, statistical bioinformatics and software development. Specific projects may involve RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&Tag, single cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, TRP53 mutations and breast cancer. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct bioinformatics analyses, to develop bioinformatics methodology as appropriate and to work closely with collaborators in a multi-disciplinary team.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will have a doctoral qualification or equivalent in a relevant discipline such as statistics, mathematics, computational biology or computer science. The candidate should have the ability to apply mathematical, statistical and computation principles to genomic problems. Experience with data analysis, programing and large datasets would be an advantage as would experience in R, Unix and software development. Prior experience in bioinformatics and medical research would be an advantage but is not required. More general selection criteria are listed in the position description.

Terms of appointment

This position is available for 2 years in a full time capacity. Salary is A6 - A8 (AUD91,404 - AUD98,111). Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Prof. Gordon Smyth – smyth@wehi.edu.au or Dr Yunshun Chen – yuchen@wehi.edu.au.

A position description is available here.

How to apply

Please email your application including a full CV and a cover letter addressing the above selection criteria in pdf format to jobapplications@wehi.edu.au, quoting reference WEHI/TYGS180821 in the subject line.

Application closing date: 22 September 2021

---------------

WEHI – Brighter together

WEHI is where the world’s brightest minds collaborate and innovate to make discoveries that will help us to live healthier for longer. Our medical researchers have been serving the community for more than 100 years. We bring together people with different skills and experience who are committed to long-term discovery. Our teams of researchers are committed to solving the most complex health problems, making transformative discoveries for cancer, infectious and immune diseases, developmental disorders and healthy ageing.

WEHI is a place where people are able to shine. People who are inquisitive, who are committed, who are passionate. People who want to make a difference. And we are committed to ensuring they have the tools to flourish, personally and professionally.

We are a community of researchers, students and professional service staff who work towards achieving discoveries that improve human health. We are driven by collaboration, curiosity and creativity. We are committed to making a positive difference to the lives of people in Australia and around the world. We are WEHI. We are brighter together.

WEHI’s commitment to diversity and inclusion

At WEHI we strive to foster a flexible working environment that encourages individual differences and promotes collaboration and creativity. We recognise that talent does not sit within a single identifiable group in our society and that WEHI’s ability to shape contemporary scientific thinking and deliver leading professional services relies on a diversity of thought within our organisation. Our action to promote gender equality has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award from Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and we offer a range of support for women researchers. Our commitment to celebrating diversity and addressing inequities is further demonstrated through our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Gender Action Plan, Reconciliation Action Plan and our WE-Pride network for LGBTQIA+ staff and students. We actively encourage applications from, people with a disability, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people and people with diverse genders and sexualities. Should you require support during the recruitment process due to special needs or consideration, please contact the People and Culture team.

WEHI’s commitment to Indigenous employment

WEHI is working to create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will be engaged at the scientific frontier, making exciting discoveries and decisions about the future of health in this country, and part of a leading professional services workforce supporting the realisation of these discoveries. We are committed to creating a culturally safe workplace and offering career development and leadership opportunities to First Nations staff and students. We strongly encourage any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.