Senior Bioinformatics Scientist - Ghobrial Lab

Overview

We are currently seeking an experienced bioinformatics scientist, preferably with a background in hematology and/or oncology, who will, in close collaboration with the SVP of Experimental Medicine, Dr. Ghobrial, as well as the Associate Director of the Center for Early Detection and Interception of Blood Cancer, design and maintain data architecture systems and bioinformatics pipelines for a large portfolio of projects within the Ghobrial Lab, a busy research lab team of about two dozen members, comprised of both wet lab and computational teams of Instructors, Post-doctoral Research Fellows, graduate students, and research technicians. The position will oversee the ongoing bioinformatics efforts pertaining to translational research in early detection, risk stratification, and interception of precursor conditions to blood cancers, and manage existing collaborations with other computational labs, both internal and external to the Institute. The position will coordinate the efforts of the dry lab team of researchers to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and timely completion of project deliverables.

The Ghobrial Lab has several large-scale, multi-institutional, research endeavors, such that the individual who fills this role will be critical to the data and quality management of the large multi-omic datasets produced and the data architecture and data transfer systems associated with each of these key research projects. The person will also be a key leadership contributor, together with the PI and Associate Director, to the strategic planning, operational implementation, and project management of the dry lab efforts.

The candidate will be expected to have a deep understanding of science, preferably with experience in computational biology, hematology, and/or cancer research and have a proven track record of managing large-scale multi-omic datasets. They will be adept at developing and maintaining close relationships with internal and external key stakeholders, as well as guiding and mentoring researchers through various project stages, from design to delivery and publication. A successful candidate will have strong emotional intelligence and cultural awareness as the internal team and scientific partners are international.

This individual will work together with PI and Associate Director to develop and implement data architecture and data management plans for assigned projects, will oversee the data produced on those projects from end to end (from data generation through analysis and publication and any associated data transfers) and will have wide decisional latitude for assigned projects and resources. The role will leverage assigned resources to support project progress, ensure synergy among various dry lab efforts, proactively identify and solve roadblocks, track and monitor project computational budgets, and ensure successful and timely completion. This role will be responsible for managing project risk and will be accountable in ensuring contractual and regulatory obligations on assigned projects are met.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Bioinformatics and Data Management

• Design and maintain data architecture systems ensuring proper organization, documentation, and provenance tracking from generation through processing .

• Manage Google Cloud Platform infrastructure including project lifecycle, access control, and cost monitoring .

• Collaborate with wet-lab and computational biology teams to establish data management workflows and quality standards .

• Develop and optimize bioinformatics pipelines using Nextflow on Google Cloud Batch .

• Provide technical guidance on data sharing practices and ensure compliance with documentation requirements , and all institutional and regulatory guidelines.

• Provide scientific guidance on data analysis for sequencing data

Management of Scientific Project Deliverables , Collaborations, and Timelines :

• Oversee assigned projects from data generation through delivery and/or publication .

• Work with leadership to prioritize efforts , set budget s , and assign resources .

• Ensure success of project computational milestones associated with assigned projects, grants and research efforts.

• Maintain expertise in the latest research scholarship and advances in the field and provide scientific input on proposals and project direction.

• Integrate activities across multiple teams to maximize success of the overall project output.

• Ensure effective communication and alignment of efforts across all contributing computational collaborators both internal and external and timely reporting of progress to leadership and stakeholders.

• P roactively identify and work to re solve project roadblocks.

• Manage the internal and external relationships and partnerships pertinent to the objectives of assigned project computational collaborations.

• Works closely with the leadership team to promote synergy among the various teams and efforts, and that the various initiatives together advance the overall scientific planning and research objectives of the Lab.

• Accountable for e nsur ing project deadlines and contractual obligations are met for assigned projects.

• Accountable for the compliance of assigned projects.

Scientific Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and supervise the project team of dry lab researchers.

• Contribute critically to strategic planning and scientific direction of the research group ’s portfolio of projects .

• Drive innovation by identifying areas of improvement and development that align with those strategic goals.

• Cultivate a deep understanding of the scientific principles, theories and methodologies within the hematology precursor space, as well as the cutting-edge technologies and computational methodologies leveraged by the field.

• Guide research design and computational approach and provide critical feedback on progress .

• Analyze and interpret scientific data to draw meaningful conclusions and mak e recommendations for future research direction.

• Leverage existing multi-omics data to inform strategic decision-making as well as cohort design .

• Ensure synergy and efficiency in research efforts across interdisciplinary teams including wet lab discovery, clinical research, and bioinformatics to ensure synergy of the various project contributors .

• Report on research prog ress and present results, both formally and informally.

• Ensure that all research is conducted in compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations as well as institutional and industry best practices .

• Key performance indicators for this role will include project completion rate, innovation impact of project output, data integrity and quality of project research output, as well as team development for assigned projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong expertise in cloud computing (Google Cloud Platform preferred) including infrastructure management and cost optimization.

• Proficiency in workflow management systems ( Nextflow ) and containerization technologies.

• Experience with data architecture, version control, and reproducible research practices.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across wet-lab and computational teams with excellent communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience in complex, large-scale project or program management .

• Demonstrated experience managing large databases.

• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and resources on assigned projects .

• Demonstrated experience in translational research .

• Strong competencies in project planning and resource management with the ability to coordinate multiple activities and resources, while maintaining a focus on quality.

• Impeccable written and oral communication and people skills.

• Excellent documentation skills.

• Demonstrated project team management skills.

• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills .

• Highly sophisticated analytical capabilities and impeccable attention to detail.

• Ability to produce and present clear, concise, and professionally written communications and presentations.

• Ability to condense highly complex concepts and information and present them in a clear and accessible manner.

• Ability to clearly define and delegate tasks and deliverables.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities with tight deadlines.

• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work with evolving priorities.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and leads by example.

• Ability to work with great independen ce and successfully deliver on that work.

• T hrive s in a fast-paced , mission-focused environment.

• Enjoys working with people of diverse backgrounds.

• Entrepreneurial, self- starter and independent.

• Excellent business software skills.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• 6+ years experience post education; One year management responsibility.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages the work efforts of at least one individual contributors and mentors.
• Completes performance appraisals.

Patient Contact: None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$95,000.00 - $125,100.00