Computational Biology Sr. Analyst

About the Department

The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) is an integral component of the Biological Sciences Division (BSD). UCCCC administers four established scientific programs, and the NCI-sponsored Cancer Center Support Grant funds ten Shared Resources. The Comprehensive Cancer Center comprises over 200 faculty members from twenty departments, with members currently being awarded over $51 million in total direct costs in peer-reviewed cancer research grants, and $24 million in non-peer-reviewed grants and contracts. UCCCC has one of the largest cancer clinical trials programs in the country and the Chicago area, with more than 450 adult and pediatric therapeutic trials actively accruing patients. Many of these studies are investigator-initiated, including Phase I or I/II trials. UCCCC opens over 130 new trials each year and accrues approximately 800 participants to therapeutic trials annually.

About the Role

The University of Chicago's Computational Oncology Unit seeks a Computational Biology Sr. Analyst to assist the Computational Oncology Core with biological data analysis. The Sr. Analyst will utilize computational tools to process, transform, visualize, and analyze datasets primarily derived from high-throughput experiments. This role involves collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to develop innovative computational algorithms and approaches to address crucial questions in cancer biology.

Responsibilities

• Applies and develops computational and bioinformatics approaches to process, analyze, interpret, and visualize complex oncology and biological datasets.
• Develops, implements, and maintains bioinformatics workflows and pipelines to support cancer research and other computational biology projects.
• Evaluates existing approaches and modifies methods as needed to address specific research questions and data requirements.
• Uses R, Python, and other applicable computational tools to perform statistical analyses, data processing, visualization, and interpretation of oncology and biological data.
• Develops and applies algorithms, computational methods, and software solutions to identify, characterize, and classify biological features, patterns, and relationships within complex datasets.
• Implements, modifies, and supports web-based bioinformatics tools and computational applications.
• Troubleshoots technical issues and identifies opportunities to improve functionality, efficiency, and usability.
• Collaborates with investigators, computational scientists, research staff, and other multidisciplinary team members to understand research objectives, define analytic requirements, and develop appropriate computational approaches.
• Supports the interpretation and communication of analytic results through the development of figures, visualizations, summaries, and other materials for research presentations, manuscripts, reports, and related scientific activities.
• Performs quality control and validation of computational analyses, workflows, and outputs to support data accuracy, consistency, and reproducibility.
• Maintains clear documentation of computational methods, code, pipelines, data processing procedures, and analytic outputs in accordance with established research and data management practices.
• Stays current with emerging computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science methods and evaluates their potential application to ongoing oncology research.
• Participates in creating data algorithms and specialized computer software to identify and classify components of a biological system (e.g., DNA and protein sequences).
• Interprets data analysis of high-throughput genomics, proteomics, and genetic data.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

• College or university degree in a related field.
• 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Qualifications

• MS degree in computer science and bioinformatics (preferred).
• Experience using Python, Perl, or other programming languages for computational biology, bioinformatics, or biological data analysis.
• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments and utilizing cloud or high-performance computing resources.
• Experience analyzing high-throughput genomic datasets, including RNA sequencing, next-generation sequencing (NGS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), or Hi-C data.
• Experience developing, implementing, or maintaining bioinformatics workflows and computational pipelines.
• Experience with imaging informatics or analysis of imaging-related datasets.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex biological data and develop appropriate computational approaches.
• Proficiency in applicable programming and statistical analysis tools, including R and Python.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics methods, computational biology principles, and genomic data analysis.
• Knowledge of Unix/Linux environments and cloud or high-performance computing resources.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to develop, validate, document, and maintain accurate and reproducible computational workflows.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with investigators, computational scientists, and multidisciplinary research teams.

Working Conditions

• Office and research environment.
• Requires extended periods of computer work and data analysis.
• Requires the ability to work on multiple computational and research projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• May require occasional attendance at research meetings, presentations, or collaborative activities outside of the regular work location.
• May require flexibility to meet research, project, or publication deadlines.

Pay

$65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year.

Benefits

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.