Bioinformatics Research Assistant - Pediatrics Newborn Medicine

Position Summary

The Bioinformatics Research Assistant is a dry‑lab position that plays a key role in a collaborative team dedicated to uncovering the genomic basis of rare diseases as part of the Washington University Undiagnosed Diseases Network and other WashU local rare disease projects. This technician will work with large genomic datasets from whole genome and exome sequencing, short‑ and long‑read RNA sequencing, long‑read genome sequencing, and epigenomics data to support the execution of bioinformatics workflows and pipelines, facilitate variant discovery, perform variant analysis and prioritization, manage storage and transfer of large datasets, and evaluate new computational methods and tools.

• Run computational bioinformatics pipelines on a local high‑performance computing cluster to analyze genomic datasets.
• Conduct variant analysis and curation to identify genomic variants underlying rare disease.
• Maintain and manage large datasets, including data storage and transfer of genomic data.
• Contribute to developing and refining computational workflows to improve the efficiency and accuracy of genomic data processing.
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team of geneticists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians to communicate findings and interpret results within the context of rare disease research.
• Assist in preparing project reports, presentations, and manuscripts as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Location:

Laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Works in an office environment. Typical effort: sitting at a desk. Physical effort: repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement. Equipment: office equipment.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics, Biology, or Computational Biology.

• Relevant experience (1 year).
• Analytical thinking, bioinformatics tools, biostatistics, complex data analysis, computational biology, critical reasoning, data management, data reporting, exome sequencing, genome sequencing, genomic data analysis, human genetics, Linux programming, microarrays, model organism, problem solving, Python, RNA sequencing, R programming, sequence analysis, team‑oriented, working independently.

Grade R07‑H: $17.10 – $29.09 per hour.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.