Bioinformatician

Job Description Summary

The Kaestner Lab (Dept. of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania) is seeking a meticulous and technically skilled Bioinformatician to oversee the organization, storage, retrieval, and long‑term preservation of large‑scale bioinformatics datasets. This position ensures that genomic, transcriptomic (bulk, single cell, spatial), and other high‑throughput biological data (including images) are securely managed, efficiently stored and retrieved, and cost‑effectively archived—supporting the University’s mission of open, reproducible, and sustainable data‑driven research.

• Data Organization: Design, implement, and maintain structured file systems, standardized naming conventions, and metadata schemas for bioinformatics data (e.g., NGS, imaging). This includes managing our in‑house database for record keeping.
• Access & Security: Manage access permissions, version control, and audit trails across HPC, local servers, tape, and cloud platforms.
• Cloud & Archival Storage: Administer tape‑ and cloud‑based storage environments (AWS S3, Dropbox, Box, institutional repositories) and coordinate archival and retrieval strategies.
• Cost Monitoring & Optimization: Track and analyze storage utilization and expenses across on‑premises, tape, and cloud systems; develop policies to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
• Data Integrity & Backup: Ensure redundancy, perform integrity checks, and manage automated backup processes.
• Data Transfers: Perform secure data transfers to and from public repositories (such as dbGaP, SRA) following institutional and funding agency’s mandated policies.
• Documentation & Training: Maintain comprehensive documentation of file structures, workflows, and storage protocols; train researchers on best practices for data management and archival.
• Collaboration: Work closely with IT, research computing teams, and PIs to align storage strategies with project and compliance requirements (e.g., NIH, NSF).
• Preprocessing Pipelines: Execute predefined preprocessing or quality control pipelines (e.g., FASTQ QC, format conversion, alignment) on high‑throughput datasets using HPC or cloud workflows.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Position is contingent upon continued funding.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Perelman School of Medicine

$57,500.00 - $77,716.00 Annual Rate

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts :
  Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre‑tax dollars.
• Tuition :
  Take advantage of Penn’s exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here r dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
• Retirement :
  Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre‑tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
• Time Away from Work :
  Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs,…