Data Analyst II

Site: The General Hospital Corporation

 

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

 

 

Job Summary

The Senior Data Analyst will work within the Talkowski Laboratory in the Center for Genomic Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. As a highly motivated, enthusiastic contributor, will work with our research group to detect, annotate, and characterize genetic variants in large cohorts of patients with autism and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The Talkowski Lab is a large, diverse, and interdisciplinary group of scientists dedicated to the characterization of genomic variation contributing to human disease. The group is leading and contributing to multiple international consortia that collect, process, aggregate, and analyze genomic sequencing data on a large scale.

The position is part of the autism and neuropsychiatric subteam, which is part of the larger variant association team. Will process incoming sequencing datasets through established pipelines and will contribute to the development of new analysis workflows. Effectively communicate with other subteams to ensure that new analysis workflows are distributed across teams.

Perform high-quality, genome-scale computational analyses under the supervision of the group leader in a timely manner. Quickly learn new analytical approaches and be capable of applying and developing novel computational methods for solving complex problems. Must apply extensive practical programming experience, as well as experience with cloud computation and workflow management systems. Must also contribute experience with implementing large-scale computational analyses, algorithm development, or statistical analysis. Knowledge of existing analysis tools, methods, and databases in the field of genomics is a significant plus.

This position is hybrid, with the option of flexible remote working hours.

 

Qualifications

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:        

• Serve as member of the team analyzing the sequencing data for the Autism Sequencing Consortium. Assist with the development of analysis aiming at (1) calling and annotating variants in short read sequencing data and (2) developing association frameworks to link detected variants to phenotypes.
• Perform complex data acquisition, storage, cleaning, and pre-processing
• Performs advanced quantitative statistical analysis methods
• Dissemination of results via presentation and publications. 
• Process incoming blended genome exome (BGE) datasets (i.e., a cost-effective method that combines low-pass whole genome sequencing with deep exome sequencing from a single DNA sample) from various neuropsychiatric cohorts and calling copy-number variants in these samples. 
• Perform QC of results and generate reports to share with collaborators.  
• Interact with other subteams, most notably the methods development team, to develop, improve, standardize, optimize, and distribute new and existing methods for genomics analyses to bridge the progress made by different subteams.
• Provide collaborative bioinformatics analysis in support of other research projects.
• Track and communicate progress to internal and external stakeholders at meetings and over Slack.
• Perform other responsibilities as needed.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:  

• Advanced skillset in computational biology, bioinformatics, statistics, or genomics. 
• Advanced knowledge of statistical association analyses and approaches in genomics studies
• Experience in cloud-based computing preferred
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced, highly collaborative and supportive environment
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities in response to changing deadlines and the needs of the lab
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent quantitative and organizational skills 
• Proven ability to work well in a collaborative environment
• Proficiency in complex data mining, database management, biostatistics, and computer programming.
• Experience with cloud computing and workflow management systems. Expe