Lead Bioinformatics Engineer (Yumul) at J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in La Jolla, California

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Lead Bioinformatics Engineer is responsible for operating, supporting, maintaining, developing, integrating, and deploying bioinformatics tools and software that support the scientific mission of the JCVI. Lead Bioinformatics Engineers provide project leadership and contribute to all phases of the software engineering lifecycle to maintain JCVI’s scientific leadership through the cost-effective application of bioinformatics and software engineering tools and techniques.

Essential Functions

• Supports the full software development lifecycle as well as operations for software-based tools developed at JCVI, typically integrating COTS, or open-source software from 3rd parties.


• Exercises project leadership over teams of colleagues as a significant function of regular duties.


• Works under minimal supervision and direction of Informatics management, or their designees, to execute assignments to meet project goals. Must be able to work independently where appropriate, exercising engineering judgment and involving supervisory personnel where appropriate. The Lead’s assignments will be determined by the management as a function of business requirements and personnel capabilities.


• Develops and maintains an understanding of the biological domain supported by the team, as well as algorithms, software and IT technologies used by the team. Capable of evaluating new tools, algorithms, and techniques and leading their adoption by the team.


• Collaborates closely and effectively with software, bioinformatics, scientific, information technology, and administrative personnel within and outside the Venter Institute to accomplish goals. Is an effective member of software and multi-disciplinary teams.


• Provides key input to recruiting and hiring decision, including technical review of candidates.


• May supervise staff to provide guidance and counseling for effective employee relations to include performance appraisals, regular performance feedback and direction.


• Responsible for the integration of environmental, health and safety protocols into work activities. This includes reporting potential hazards and when necessary helping to implement solutions to ensure safety and respect for the environment.


• Performs other duties as assigned.


• Strictly adheres to all documented JCVI policies and procedures to include carrying out all functions required of Institute employees (i.e. completion of timesheets in an accurate and timely manner).

Pre-Requisites

• BS in Biological or Engineering field is required with 8 years bioinformatics experience or MS with 7 years experience or equivalent. PhD strongly preferred. Formal training in computer science or software engineering also preferred.


• Demonstrated ability to:

• Execute complex tasks effectively with minimal supervision


• Advance the level of software and bioinformatics technology used within the team


• Provide project leadership and management within and beyond the scope of their own team


• Define and estimate scope of tasks prior to implementation


• Execute projects within estimated time frames


• Effectively lead a team of technical professionals.

• Expert level knowledge of team’s assigned scientific domain and extensive experience with team’s software and IT technologies.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team, and work independently.


• Specific technical skills and experience pre-requisites will be established for each Lead Bioinformatics Engineer position, and may include some combination of the following:
  
  
  • Bioinformatics tools and techniques
  
  
  • Scripting languages (Perl, Python, shell) and associated tools
  
  
  • Web technologies (HTML, DHTML, XML, CSS, and JavaScript) and Graphics tools (Photoshop, Image Ready, Fireworks or similar).
  
  
  • Relational Database (Oracle, Postgres, MySQL, and related tools including SQL and PL/SQL) design, data warehousing
  
  
  • Data Modeling (UML, ER, Ontology-based) and Agile development practices.
  
  
  
  


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team, and work independently.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)


• Ability to work in a confined area.


• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment


• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work


• Light to moderate lifting is required

J. Craig Venter Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.

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