Bioinformatics Specialist I

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Washington, DC

Educational Services

About the position

The Bioinformatics Specialist I position at the George Washington University (GWU) is a vital role within the Mazumder Lab, located at the Foggy Bottom campus in Washington, DC. This position is designed for individuals who are passionate about bioinformatics and are eager to contribute to the development of knowledge bases and bioinformatics tools. The successful candidate will work directly under the supervision of Dr. Raja Mazumder and will be involved in various aspects of research and development, including data investigation, interpretation, and analysis for research initiatives. The role requires a strong foundation in both biology and computer science, as it focuses on the collection, storage, analysis, and transmission of biological data, such as nucleotides, proteins, glycans, and other biomolecules. In this position, the Bioinformatics Specialist I will be responsible for developing backend systems, managing and maintaining data and processed datasets, and testing API-driven workflows. The role also involves assisting in the testing and development of portals, software, tools, and workflows produced in the lab, as well as maintaining and updating these resources. The specialist will engage in biocuration of glycans, proteins, genes, and omics data, and will be tasked with writing specification documentation for research projects. Additionally, the role includes generating frontend mockups and creating web interfaces, utilizing tools such as GitHub and Slack for effective communication. The Bioinformatics Specialist I will also be responsible for maintaining documents and meeting notes, creating and presenting progress reports to project stakeholders, scheduling tasks, and coordinating meetings. The position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving, as the specialist will need to outline work performed, plan future tasks, and address any challenges encountered during the research process. This role is essential for ensuring the successful delivery of research projects and the development of innovative bioinformatics tools and resources.

Responsibilities

• Develop backend systems and manage data and processed datasets.
• Test API-driven workflows and assist in the development of software and tools.
• Maintain and update portals and knowledge bases.
• Assist in the submission of datasets to collaborators and sponsors.
• Perform biocuration of glycans, proteins, genes, and omics data.
• Write specification documentation for research projects and generate frontend mockups.
• Create web interfaces and maintain communication using tools like GitHub and Slack.
• Maintain documents and meeting notes, and create progress reports for stakeholders.
• Schedule tasks and follow up on progress with stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings and assist in drafting research reports, proposals, and publications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization.
• 2 years of relevant professional experience.
• Basic understanding of biology and biological databases.
• Background in chemistry and/or analytical chemistry.
• Experience in programming/scripting, web frameworks, database management, and software testing (Python, Linux, MongoDB, HTML/CSS/Javascript).
• Familiarity with bioinformatics platforms/tools and biomedical data modeling.
• Experience or knowledge of developing API web services and backend development.
• Familiarity with database structures, data dictionaries, BioCompute Objects, biomarkers, glycans, genes, proteins, and other biomolecules.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a research environment related to bioinformatics or biomedical sciences.
• Knowledge of data integration and data mining techniques.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools and software.

Benefits

• Commensurate salary based on experience.
• Hybrid work schedule allowing for flexibility in work location.