Bioinformatician II

Overview

Tanaq Support Services (TSS) delivers professional, scientific, and technical services and information technology (IT) solutions to federal agencies in health, agriculture, technology, and other government services. TSS is a subsidiary of the St. George Tanaq Corporation, an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) committed to serving Federal customers while also giving back to the Tanaq native community and shareholders.

About the Role

We are seeking a Bioinformatician II to support a contract with our federal client.

This is a remote position that can be based anywhere in the United States. 

Responsibilities

• Maintain sequencing data inventory for the laboratory.
• Monitor SciComp and High-Performance Computing Cluster functioning daily or as frequently as appropriate for problems, issues, updates.
• Track sequencing requests for projects.
• Coordinate sequence data sharing with requestors and collaborating laboratories.
• Manage incoming sequence data for processing, documentation, tracking, and inventory as needed.
• Maintain files in accordance with records management policies and procedures.
• Review incoming and outgoing correspondence and distribute to the appropriate person.
• Manage daily activities, procedures and processes related to molecular characterization and classification of emerging antimicrobial resistance in healthcare-associated and emerging pathogens.
• Analyze data from scientific projects and programs using appropriate programs and bioinformatics tools.
• Develop appropriate analytic plans for bioinformatic/sequence data analyses to address the project goals and objectives.
• Run in-house bioinformatics pipelines (e.g., QuAISAR-H) to perform quality checks and preliminary analyses of whole genome sequencing data.
• Generate appropriate data files from QuAISAR-H, format, and send to sequencing coordinator for data summaries.
• Perform quality assessment of next generation sequence data using appropriate tools and pipelines, (e.g., tools for quality assessment of amplicon and/or shotgun metagenomic sequencing).
• Perform bioinformatics analyses for the identification and subtyping of healthcare-associated and emerging pathogens.
• Perform protocols and incorporate into analyses epidemiologic data, and data generated from conventional and real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing, and/or metagenomic analysis of samples related to healthcare-associated infection and other emerging pathogen studies.
• Develop, validate, and implement methods and procedures to analyze laboratory data, including methods for characterization and phylogenetic analyses of next-generation sequencing data, making adjustments in methods and procedures as appropriate.
• Perform bioinformatics analysis of complex samples, including characterizing and visualizing the microbial communities, quantifying diversity, identifying antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and other functions using appropriate bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., KRAKEN2, MetaPhlAn3, database-independent kmer approaches to community characterization, GROOT, SRST2, ARIBA, DESeq2).
• Analyze, visualize and summarize data from scientific projects and programs using appropriate programs, tools and pipelines (e.g., R, python, bath, LefSe, GROOT, ARIBA, DESeq2).
• Develop, revise and review project protocols and documents according to QMS guidelines.
• Coordinate and participate in regular meetings relating to assigned projects.
• Upload sequence data (raw reads and/or assemblies as appropriate) to public databases (e.g., NCBI) under timelines established by the SME/project leads or Team Leads.
• Meet with SME/project leads at least monthly to discuss project work plans, project updates, test results, and testing plans.
• Assist staff with preparation of presentation materials for meetings and conferences by drafting, editing, and/or reviewing.
• Effectively interpret analyses and assist with preparation of and independently prepare written documents, reports, and analyses or various scientific projects and programs.
• Provide a written weekly progress update to SME/project and team leads.
• Using appropriate programs, tools, and methods, generate project reports, which may be presented to others internally and externally.
• Assist in training of various analytical methodologies employed in Division projects by instructing, teaching, and/or observing as determined by quality management procedures.
• Develop new and improved concepts, principles, and techniques that will advance the body of knowledge of information management and apply advanced bioinformatic or computer science methods and techniques to solve complex computer processing requirements for data analysis, inventory management and clinical system interface.
• Enhance existing systems used for genotypic, phenotypic, epidemiological and demographic data.
• Apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology.
• Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements.
• Coordinate core activities of bioinformatics staff and fellows.
• Lead tool development for AR lab Network state public health laboratories.
• Oversee strategy for development and implementation of in-house bioinformatics pipelines.
• Complete custom bioinformatics analyses for molecular epidemiology products or metagenomic projects, that require going above and beyond the standard in-house pipelines.
• Provide subject matter expertise for troubleshooting in-house pipelines.

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum 4-5 years of experience in the capacity of bioinformatician.
• Experience running in-house bioinformatics pipelines (e.g., QuAISAR-H) to perform quality checks and preliminary analyses of whole genome sequencing data.
• Experience performing bioinformatics analysis of complex samples, including characterizing and visualizing the microbial communities, quantifying diversity, identifying antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors, and other functions using appropriate bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., KRAKEN2, MetaPhlAn3, database-independent kmer approaches to community characterization, GROOT, SRST2, ARIBA, DESeq2).
• Experience analyzing, visualizing and summarizing data from scientific projects and programs using appropriate programs, tools and pipelines (e.g., R, python, bath, LefSe, GROOT, ARIBA, DESeq2).
• Experience performing quality assessment of NGS data using appropriate tools and pipelines, (e.g., tools for quality assessment of amplicon and/or shotgun metagenomic sequencing).
• Experience developing appropriate analytic plans for bioinformatic/sequence data analyses to address project goals and objectives.
• Experience maintaining sequencing data inventory for a laboratory.
• Experience monitoring SciComp and High-Performance Computing Cluster functioning daily or as frequently as appropriate for problems, issues, updates.
• Experience working at a federal public health agency or in a public health setting preferred.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced setting.
• Ability to work with a diverse interdisciplinary team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective organization skills.
• Ability to obtain a government clearance.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Education and Training

• Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Microbiology, Biology or closely related field. Ph.D. preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. May need to lift 25 pounds regularly.

 Who We Are

Tanaq Support Services (TSS) is a public health contractor, certified 8(a) business, owned by St. George Tanaq Corporation, an Alaska Native Corporation. (ANC). We listen to our stakeholders and leverage our science, technology, communication, and program expertise to understand and provide feedback as we develop solutions.

Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination

Tanaq Support Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for 

employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Tanaq complies with the Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988 and E-Verify. 

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance completing any part of the application process, please email accommodation@tanaq.com to request a reasonable accommodation. This email is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Notice on Candidate AI Usage

Tanaq is committed to ensuring a fair and competitive interview process for all candidates based on their experience, skills and education. To ensure the integrity of the interview process, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during phone, in person and virtual interviews is not allowed. However, candidates who require a reasonable accommodation that may involve AI are required to contact us prior to their interview at accommodation@tanaq.com.

To apply for the Bioinformatician II position, visit:

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/3271418