Technical Manager - Genomic Data Science Group

About the Role

The incumbent implements and maintains QC procedures, automated analysis pipelines, and reporting tools. Moreover s/he will help promote Bioinformatics education within Sidra. A key aspect of this role is the development, deployment and operation of an analysis and reporting pipeline for clinical genomics applications. S/he works closely with peers from the wetlab and IT infrastructure to deliver genomic data science solutions in line with the needs of researchers and clinicians alike. S/he may dedicate a part of this/hers time on independent research projects that are in line with the department’s needs and future direction.

Key Role Accountabilities

Strategic

• Develops long-term vision for the Genomic Data Science group and works with the Director – IGS and users to prioritize core services to best meet researchers’ and clinicians needs.
• Provides technical direction and leadership and bridge wetlab, bioinformatics, scientist and clinical research to facilitate meeting strategic goals.
• Ensures that infrastructure strategy is aligned with the overall research strategy, clinic genetic testing needs, and advises on the suitability of established and emerging technologies.

Operational

• Responsible for team development including individual team member coaching, goal setting, technical mentorship and enforcement of best practices.
• Leads resource planning, budgeting and hiring in their area, mentors scientists; selects, hires and monitors qualified and cost-effective contractors, and/or consultants.
• Delivers projects for internal and external users to agreed timelines, cost and deliverables.
• Collects, monitors and reports KPIs for their area.
• Assists investigators in assessing their analysis needs, acts as a resource by fielding questions and offering expert guidance.
• Ensures regulatory compliance.
• Develops and enforces adherence standard operating procedures.

Scientific

• Maintains expertise and awareness of current technological and scientific developments and relevant aspects of the discipline.
• Creates opportunities to enhance technical methodology or content through expansion of existing or development of new efforts; may extend technology into new application areas; contributes or leads in major intellectual development activities.
• Provides innovative problem-solving approaches to enhance organizational capabilities; uses peer network to expand technical capabilities and identify new research opportunities.
• Scopes the scientific literature and develops/implements novel methods and techniques in line with Sidra’s operational and scientific requirements.
• Supports the writing of grant applications and scientific manuscripts for flagship projects with significant intellectual input as a Co-PI/co-author.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Education

• PhD degree in bioinformatics or related area

Experience

Essential

• 7+ years of NGS data analysis experience
• Prior involvement in national or international collaborative projects
• Previous management experience
• Experience in biomedical data analysis
• Knowledge of bioinformatics tools and databases
• Strong genomics analysis experience
• Working experience with high dimensional data sets
• High performance computing experience in a Unix/Linux environment
• Academic/Industrial research experience with publications in peer-reviewed academic journals and/or conferences

Preferred

• 8+ years of NGS data analysis experience
• Experience with technical assessment of third party software solutions – willingness to lead a combined buy and build strategy
• Experience with developing, deploying and maintaining complex data pipelines in a cloud environment such as OpenStack or MS Azure
• 3+ years’ experience in managing a small technical team of >= 3
• Previous experience working in a customer-focused environment

Job Specific Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Skilled in programming languages such as C, Java; scripting languages such as Python, Perl; statistical languages such as R, Julia; database development (SQL, Maria)
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing, maintaining and operating routine NGS tools such as bwa-gatk, multiQC, SOAP, varscan in interconnected pipelines using scripts or execution frameworks such as NextFlow
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate a team using agile methods
• Knowledgeable in scientific research methods and evaluation of research results, and ability to develop and maintain own knowledge and skills at the forefront of field
• Capable of working independently and without direction on assigned tasks/projects
• Evidence of continuous professional and personal development
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated strong analytical, problem solving and decision making skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge in applying AI/ML approaches to genomic data sets
• Excellent leadership capabilities with demonstrated skill in building, guiding and motivating effective teams and fostering productive research collaborations