Job Summary:

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Genomics Services Unit of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, part of a leading biomedical research program run by Dr. David O'Connor. The successful applicant will help develop, design, organize, and conduct research projects under the supervision of Dr. O'Connor and senior scientists in the lab. They will actively participate in a team studying genomic variability and immune system genetics of nonhuman primates, with an emphasis on genotyping major histocompatibility complex (MHC), killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR), and Fc gamma receptor (FCGR) loci, as well as using genomic tools to understand the evolution of pathogens in nonhuman primates

The Data Scientist will use workflow orchestration tools such as Nextflow or Snakemake to develop robust, reproducible data analysis workflows that can run on a variety of computational platforms, including local servers, UW-Madison CHTC HTC and HPC servers, and commercial on-demand cloud computing clusters. Data analysis tools developed in this position are shared publicly via GitHub, so demonstrated experience documenting and deploying robust analysis tools is essential. Domain-specific knowledge analyzing nonhuman primate genomics and viral genomic datasets is beneficial; however, applicants with relevant human genomic experience will also be considered. The successful applicant will also be responsible for mentoring and advising students and staff on computational analysis of genomic data, and presenting and publishing this data. Therefore, outstanding communication skills are required.

Responsibilities:

Contributes to a research agenda set by a lead researcher by preparing data sets, analyzing them using data science techniques, and presenting the results. May work independently or as part of a team.

• 15% Prepares data sets for analysis including cleaning/quality assurance, transformations, restructuring, and integration of multiple data sources
• 15% Independently identifies and implements appropriate data science techniques to find data patterns and answer research questions chosen by the lead researcher including data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining
• 15% Organizes and automates project steps for data preparation and analysis
• 15% Composes and assembles reproducible workflows and reports to clearly articulate patterns to researchers and/or administrators
• 20% Documents approaches to address research questions and contributes to the establishment of reproducible research methodologies and analysis workflows
• 10% Liaise with stakeholders including but not limited to collaborators, other research staff, and IT staff to generate, maintain, backup, and publicly disseminate raw and interpreted laboratory data
• 10% Mentor less computationally experienced lab staff and collaborators in robust and reproducible data analysis

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
Bachelor's Degree in biology, genetics, or other scientific field

Preferred, Master's degree in biology, genetics, or other scientific field

Qualifications:

Required qualifications:
-At least three years of experience working with genomic data sets in a research laboratory
-Experience with data science methods (programming, algorithms, deep learning)
-Demonstrated experience developing reproducible and flexible scientific workflows with orchestration platforms such as Nextflow or Snakemake
-Excellent written and verbal scientific communication skills
-Documented experience using GitHub to disseminate research pipelines to the broader scientific community
-Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate with other scientists, as well as mentor other researchers learning computational data analysis
-Strong organization and prioritization skills

Preferred qualifications:
-Knowledge of statistics
-Understanding of macaque immunogenomics and pathogen genomics
-Experience in an academic research laboratory
-Familiarity with manuscript and research grant preparation
-Understanding of laboratory data management systems such as LabKey Server

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $75,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in these positions can expect to receive a generous benefit package, including paid time off, competitive insurances and savings accounts, and retirement benefits.

Additional Information:

-University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
-A criminal background check is required
-A one-year period of evaluation will be required

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) is one of seven federally supported National Primate Research Centers and the only one in the Midwest. The WNPRC's mission is to increase the understanding of basic primate biology and to improve human health and quality of life through research. To accomplish this, the WNPRC helps discover treatments, preventions and cures for human disease; generates new knowledge of primate biology, from the molecular and whole animal levels to the understanding of primate ecosystems; facilitates research progress by providing expertise, resources and training to scientists worldwide; and collects primate information and disseminates to the research community and to the public.

How to Apply:

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process.
You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
Resume (REQUIRED)
Cover letter (REQUIRED)

Please use your cover letter to speak to each of the Required Qualifications for this position (listed above in the Qualifications section). For each Required Qualification, describe your relevant experience, using specific examples from your work history to illustrate how your experience satisfies the requirement. If you have experience that matches with the Preferred Qualifications, describe your relevant experience with specific examples.

Final candidates will also be asked to provide at least 3 professional references, including phone and email addresses.

Contact:

Deb Jurmu
djurmu@primate.wisc.edu
608-263-3504
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Data Scientist II(RE021)

Department(s):

A34-OVCR/PRIMATE/PRIMATE

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

306227-AS

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

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