Bioinformatics Specialist at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
Project details:
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) are seeking a Bioinformatics Specialist to join their School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Academic Division.
The successful candidate will work as part of a USA government funded project “EMergent Ecosystem Response to ChanGE Biology Integration Institute (EMERGE)”. The appointees’ primary role will be to assist in developing novel bioinformatic techniques and applying these workflows to the project’s large datasets (e.g. >4Tbp of metagenomes). Analyses will focus on understand ecosystem-climate feedbacks in Stordalen Mire, a thawing permafrost peatland in arctic Sweden. Rapid warming in the Arctic is driving permafrost thaw, and new availability of formerly-frozen soil carbon for cycling and release to the atmosphere, representing a potentially large but poorly constrained accelerant of climate change.
Real world impact:
QUT is a major Australian university with a global outlook and a ‘real world’ focus. They are an ambitious and collaborative institution that seeks to equip their students and graduates with the skills they will need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged world.
About the area:
The Centre for Microbiome Research (CMR) was established in 2020 by Prof. Gene Tyson, an expert in the field of microbial ecology. Prof. Tyson and his team are actively involved in the development of innovative culture-independent molecular approaches and bioinformatic tools, and their application to answer important questions about microbial communities across a range of ecosystems.
The team is made up of researchers with diverse expertise within microbial ecology and genomics, providing an intellectually robust and collaborative environment. The Centre is located within the Translational Research Institute (TRI), a unique multidisciplinary facility located at the Princess Alexandra hospital with a strong focus on translational research. This positions the team amongst top researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplines such as genomics, bioinformatics, immunology, oncology and gastroenterology, and provides the team with access to state-of-the-art core facilities.
The Centre also has a dedicated PC2-certified laboratory fully equipped for molecular biology that includes an in-house white light laser confocal microscope (Leica), a PromethION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) and access to a NovaSeq 6000 (Illumina). The Centre has a BD FACSAria Fusion fluorescence activated cell sorter with small particle detection and liquid handling robots for single cell genomic and culturing work, and maintains anaerobic culture and quarantine facilities. CMR houses its own high-performance computing resources consisting of >1,000 cores and 9 nodes. The operation of these facilities is supported by professional staff for microscopy, flow cytometry, sequencing and bioinformatics.
Qualifications:
- Education, training and/or relevant experience equivalent to the completion of postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards postgraduate qualifications in bioinformatics, computer science, phylogenetics, or microbial genomics.
- Strong, demonstrated ability to program in Python and/or other high- or low-level programming languages.
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of Linux and common command line tools, and demonstrated proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, along with proven ability to autonomously organise and prioritise tasks and workflows to meet project deadlines.
- High level communication skills, including clear and effective verbal communication, demonstrated written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to problem solve, logically plan and coordinate research activities, and critically assess existing literature and methods.
Careers at QUT:
QUT are committed to building a culture that fosters connection between people and purpose. Beyond personal and professional fulfillment, a career at QUT offers:
- A healthy work-life balance with a blend of on-campus and off-campus work arrangements for applicable positions.
- Competitive remuneration with up to 17% superannuation.
- Generous maternity leave including primary carer parental leave of up to 26 weeks (including 17% super).
- Stay healthy with Fitness Passport and enjoy discounted rates on private health insurance.
- Leave loading of 17.5%.
- Purchased Leave Scheme – up to 8 extra weeks.
- Salary Packaging Scheme for additional superannuation contributions, vehicle leasing, and on-campus services such as childcare, parking, and gyms.
- Numerous opportunities for professional development including leadership programs and workshops, and their study assistance scheme.
- Commitment to their Indigenous Australian staff through initiatives such as the Indigenous Australian Staff Network, Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Staff Development Workshops, and representation on university committees.
- QUT see diversity and inclusion as their strengths.
- Explore more benefits of life at QUT.
Commitment:
They are guided by their values of Ambition, Curiosity, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Academic Freedom and their QUT Connections in their mission to inspire and shape the next generation of change-makers.
In support of their Indigenous Australians Employment Strategy, they aspire to an Indigenous Australian workforce participation of 3.6% and they encourage Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people to join us in pursuing a fulfilling career.
They believe in creating safe spaces for inclusivity to flourish and they know that diversity is their strength – see their commitment. If you’re curious, innovative, and ready to experience what a career at QUT can offer, they’re ready to meet you.
Reference number: 23613
Term: Fixed term, full-time basis for 12 months
Remuneration: $87,917 to $119,296 pa (LEVA) (inclusive of $74,291 to $100,806 salary pa, 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading)
Location: Translational Research Institute
Job opens: 7 July 2023
Applications Close: 30 July 2023 (23:30)
Open to:
Applicants who have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of the fixed-term appointment. In support of their strategic priority of Indigenous Australian success, Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. Please note that current staff wishing to be considered for secondment to this position must seek prior approval from their supervisor before submitting an application.
