Genome Data Curator / Molecular Biologist – GenBank Submissions

About the role

Do you enjoy working directly with researchers to solve genome-submission problems and prepare high-quality genomic data for public release? Computercraft is seeking a Genome Data Curator/Molecular Biologist to support the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), part of the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

In this hands-on, service-oriented role, you will receive, process, analyze, and maintain genome and chromosome sequencing datasets submitted to GenBank. Working directly with researchers and NCBI experts, you will troubleshoot submission and annotation issues, provide scientific support, and prepare genomic data for release through the public database.

Responsibilities

• Receive, process, and maintain genome and chromosome sequence datasets submitted to GenBank.
• Review whole-genome sequence and annotation data from individual laboratories and large-scale sequencing projects.
• Evaluate genome submissions for biological integrity, consistency, accuracy, and completeness.
• Analyze sequence data and work with researchers to prepare submissions for release to the public database.
• Communicate directly with data depositors and genomic-data users to resolve submission, annotation, and data-quality issues.
• Provide scientific help-desk support related to GenBank genome submissions and associated NCBI resources.
• Document issues and resolutions clearly and maintain accurate curation and administrative records.
• Perform database-curation activities supporting the timely maintenance and release of GenBank genome records.
• Collaborate with NCBI scientists, bioinformaticians, software developers, and other technical team members.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, microbiology, biochemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Experience in molecular biology, genomics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Aptitude for DNA sequence analysis and learning specialized scientific software.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to work carefully with complex scientific data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to researchers.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and scientific problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, three days per week.
• Ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.

Desired Skills/Experience

• Experience working in a UNIX/Linux environment.
• Familiarity with next-generation DNA sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and genome-assembly technologies.
• Familiarity with public molecular biology resources such as GenBank, RefSeq, SRA, UniProt, or PDB.

Benefits

Computercraft offers an excellent benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and disability and life insurance; a 401(k) plan with matching; paid leave starting at 128 hours/year for the first 3 years of employment; and 11 paid holidays.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position is $90,000–$120,000 annually.

Schedule

This position requires working on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, three days per week, with a standard 40-hour work week.