Bioinformatics Post Doctoral Researcher - SJ Dawson

Date:  21 Nov 2024
Site:  VCCC (Parkville)
Location: 

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company:  Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Unit:  Dawson SJ
Division:  Cancer Research
Department:  Laboratory Research
Enterprise Agreement:  Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sect
Dawson SJ

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

 

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

 

Bioinformatics Post-Doctoral Researcher - Professor Sarah-Jane Dawson Laboratory

 

The Post-doctoral Researcher will be involved in the analysis of large-scale genomic data, with a focus on whole genome sequencing, through the appplication of best-practice bioinformatics workflows and the development of innovated new methods as required. The Post-doctoral Researcher is responsible for:

  • Designing and carrying out experiments that fulfill the aims of the project.
  • Completing accurate analysis and interpretation of experimental results.
  • Presenting results to other members of the laboratory, as well as within local seminars, national and international conferences.
  • Supervision and training of staff and students when appropriate, including demostrated ability to provide leadership and innovation.
  • Fostering good working relationships with colleagues, including collaborators.

 

This position is: 

  • 12-month Fixed-Term, Full-Time

  • Onsite presence essential at 305 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

  • 1RA6 - 1RA10 depending on qualifications and experience

  • Basic Salary Range: $97,770.40 to $113,262.24 AUD

  • Advertising from Thursday, 21st November to Friday, 20th December

 

Applications are invited to join an exciting research program within the Molecular Biomarkers and Translational Genomics Laboratory led by Sarah-Jane Dawson at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (www.thedawsonlab.com).  The research will explore the use of circulating tumour DNA to study genomic and epigenomic evolution and provide insights into treatment response and resistance in cancer.

 

Applicants to this role should provide a cover letter outlining their interest and experience and also provide their responses against the selection criteria (found in the Position Description under Essential and Desirable Requirements sections). Please consolidate all information into a single document.

 

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Hiring Manager: Dr Dineika Chandrananda
Email: Dineika.Chandrananda@petermac.org

 

Applications Close: Friday, 20th December, 2024
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Position Summary

Applications are invited to join an exciting research program within the Molecular Biomarkers and Translational Genomics Laboratory led by Sarah-Jane Dawson at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (www.thedawsonlab.com) and The University of Melbourne.  The research will explore the use of circulating tumour DNA to study genomic and epigenomic evolution and provide insights into treatment response and resistance in cancer.

 

The position will involve the analysis of large-scale genomic data, with a focus on whole genome sequencing, through the application of best-practice bioinformatics workflows and the development of innovative new methods (e.g. Hollizeck and Wang et al, Nature Communications 2024). The individual will be responsible for driving their own specified projects, but will also collaborate very closely with cancer molecular biologists to work on joint initiatives.

 

The position will require a highly motivated and skilled bioinformatician or computational biologist with expertise in the analysis of next generation sequencing data, integration of genome-wide datasets, competency in programming languages R and Python and experience with working on a high-performance computing cluster. Applicants should have demonstrated experience developing and deploying bioinformatics analysis workflows. Experience working with containers and version-controlled pipelines as well as cloud computing is desirable but not required.

 

The position will be in a research environment that includes a large and interactive group of bioinformaticians and computational biologists within The Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne. The position will be initially for a fixed term of 12 months with the opportunity to extend. Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

 

This role will contribute to the University of Melbourne's partnership with international genomics company Illumina by collaborating with The Advanced Genomics Collaboration by jointly fostering the development of world-leading genomics research and innovation activities and to accelerate the translation of these innovation through to adoption in the healthcare system.

Enterprise Agreement

Allied Health Professionals

Classification or Salary Range

RA6 – RA10

Immunisation Risk Category

Immunisation Category C

Key Relationships

Internal
  • Group Leader: Professor Sarah-Jane Dawson
  • Dawson Laboratory staff and students
  • Cancer Therapeutics Program staff and students
  • Cluster 1 staff and students
  • University of Melbourne: The Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine (CCGCM) staff
  • Core Research facilities staff
  • Other research staff and students
  • Other Peter Mac staff and students
External
  • External research and clinical collaborators
  • Industry partners
  • Staff from other research institutions
  • Computing facility staff and facilitators

Essential Requirements

  • PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics or over three years working in bioinformatics or closely related field
  • Experience in analysing a wide range of next generation sequencing data including whole genome, targeted sequencing and/or RNA sequencing
  • Experience in somatic variant calling and curation
  • Demonstrated knowledge of current tools, standards, and methods in bioinformatics
  • Demonstrated capacity for independent research
  • Demonstrated ability for transferring knowledge and supervision
  • Demonstrated experience developing and deploying bioinformatics analysis workflows
  • Willingness to learn new bioinformatic methods and testing their effectiveness
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  • High level organisational, interpersonal and time management skills
  • First author publications in a relevant area
  • Excellent Python an R programming skills
  • Experience with high performance computing clusters environments

Desirable Requirements

  • Expertise in cancer research
  • Experience working with containers, version controlling and cloud computing
  • Specific experience in workflow development and management systems such as Nextflow and Snakemake

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators
1. Conducts rigorous, valid and ethical research both independently and as part of the laboratory team
  • Designs and carries out experiments that fulfil the aims of the projects
  • Excellent technical skills and eye for detail
  • Accurate analysis and interpretation of experimental results
  • Willingness to learn
  • Comprehensive knowledge of literature related to research area
  • Ability to work independently and utilise time effectively
  • Prepares manuscript, grant, fellowship and ethics submissions
  • Regular attendance at group and program meetings
  • High level of integrity and ethics
  • Completes tasks in a timely and efficient manner
  • Excellent record-keeping skills
  • Flexibility in supporting other lab staff as directed by Group Leader

2. Communication of research outcomes
  • Authorship and intellectual contribution to research papers, including generation of data for, and writing of, grant applications
  • Presentation of results to other members of the laboratory including at program meetings
  • Presentation of research results/data at Peter Mac, local seminars, national and international conferences
  • Ability to communicate effectively with others in the laboratory and Peter Mac Research 
  • Contributes to discussions, lab, cluster and program meetings
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
3. Supervision of Staff and Students
  • Provides help and regular feedback to staff and students
  • Supervision and training of staff and students when appropriate, including demonstrated ability to provide leadership and innovation
4. Foster a good working relationship with colleagues, including collaborators
  • Good working relationships with others both within the laboratory and within the institute 
  • Polite and respectful with others both within the laboratory and within the institute
  • Ability to work in a team 
  • Willingness to help others in lab as required
  • Evidence of established collaborations with local, national and/or international research groups
  • Recognition by peers of a broad scientific skill base and well-developed specialised area of expertise

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

 

 

Peter Mac requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this requirement.

 

 

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

 

  • Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
  • Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
  • We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.