Computational Biology Software Programmer at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department

BSD CCC - Computational Oncology Unit



About the Department

The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). The BSD is the largest of four Divisions of the University and includes the Pritzker School of Medicine. UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant provides funding for ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center is comprised of over 190 faculty members from twenty departments with members currently being awarded over $47 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $28 million in non-peer reviewed grants and contracts. The activities of the Center are broad and varied, including research, training and education, communications, fundraising, marketing, clinical trials management and community outreach.


UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and in the Chicago area with nearly 500 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials, demonstrating UCCCC commitment to translate basic research findings to the clinic through proof-of-principle and early phase studies. UCCCC opens over 250 new trials each year and accrues approximately 900 participants to therapeutic trials each year.



Job Summary

The job administers programs and support all phases of bioinformatics activities by helping devise or modify procedures to solve complex problems.



Responsibilities

• Develops AI-driven bioinformatics and GIS Tools: Design and build advanced platforms for rapidly and efficiently identifying health disparities and therapeutic discovery.
  
  


• Leverages Cloud Platforms for Data Processing: Modern cloud platforms can be utilized for large-scale data processing, storage, and computation, ensuring the scalability of antibody design pipelines.
  
  


• Applies Advanced AI Techniques: Innovate with cutting-edge AI methods, including diffusion models and neural networks.
  
  


• Helps with grant proposals by contributing sections describing the interplay between research objectives and new or expanded data resources.
  
  


• Participates in tools development, providing professional assistance in designing front-end applications and database systems' back-end schema.
  
  


• Analyzes high-level system specifications and ensure that all application development standards are met.
  
  


• Develops and presents technical training materials and web-based documentation, and ensure timely systems support and updates.
  
  


• Assists in conducting assessments and risk analysis of the computing environment.
  
  


• Evaluates past and present technologies to help develop new tools and ensure that all new tools have been through quality control reviews.
  
  


• Participates in creating data algorithms and specialized computer software to identify and classify components of a biological system (i.e. DNA and protein sequences).
  
  


• Applies basic application of computational tools and information technology to gather, analyze and visualize data in biology and biomedical research.
  
  


• Interprets data analysis of high throughput genomics, proteomics and genetic data.
  
  


• Plans own resources to implement or modify existing web-based bioinformatics tools.
  
  


• Performs other related work as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.



Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.



Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field.
  
  

Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in software development.
  
  


• Machine Learning Expertise: Solid experience applying AI and machine learning frameworks to biologics.
  
  


• Programming Proficiency: Proficient in Python (required) and R (preferred), with experience in bioinformatics libraries and strong skills in cloud-based deployment of machine learning applications.
  
  


• Demonstrated hands-on experience in developing Machine learning and Artificial intelligence algorithms.
  
  


• Deep statistical knowledge and experience performing statistical inference analysis.
  
  


• Experience and general proficiency using one or more high-level analysis tools or statistical languages (e.g., R, MATLAB, etc.).
  
  


• Computing experience using Python and R.
  
  


• Experience developing friendly UIs (using Rshiny, Java Script,...).
  
  


• Fluency in data organization, manipulation, and analysis.
  
  


• Experience in a UNIX/Linux-based environment.
  
  


• Experience with parallel processing and cloud computing services.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Data Handling Expertise: Extensive experience curating, harmonizing, and preprocessing large-scale antibody datasets, including high-throughput screening data and structural models.
  
  


• Analytical and Strategic Skills: Strong analytical abilities to extract actionable insights from complex antibody datasets, focusing on developing innovative therapeutic strategies.
  
  


• Collaboration and Communication: Proven ability to work effectively in agile, interdisciplinary teams and communicate across scientific and technical domains.
  
  


• Understand and translate researchers' scientific goals into computational requirements.
  
  


• Identify and gain expertise in appropriate new technologies and software tools.
  
  


• Function as part of an interactive team while demonstrating self-initiative to achieve projects' goals and COU's mission.
  
  


• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop.
  
  


• Ability to lift loads up tp 49lbs.
  
  


• Normal office / lab conditions.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
  


• Cover letter (preferred)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family

Research



Role Impact

Individual Contributor



Scheduled
Weekly Hours

40



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Pay Rate Type

Salary



FLSA Status

Exempt



Pay Range

$64,000.00 - $92,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.



Benefits Eligible

Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


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