Position Description

The Merkenschlager lab is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Computational Biologist. This individual will be supervised by Dr. Merkenschlager in the application of computational approaches to large biological datasets.

The Merkenschlager lab investigates how cells of the immune system cooperate to generate optimal immune responses. The Computational Biologist will assist researchers in the Merkenschlager laboratory by developing and applying computational methods to analyze large and complex datasets related to immune cell activation, maintaining and improving established pipelines, and helping researchers to interpret the results. The candidate will work directly with the Principal Investigator and the trainees and staff of the Merkenschlager lab, as well as any collaborators. The successful candidate should have the ability to design algorithms, apply statistical methods, innovate ways to analyze, integrate, visualize, and interpret a wealth of systems data that will directly inform discovery experiments and target advancement projects, requiring development of core domain knowledge in genetics, molecular biology, immunology, and computational biology. The successful candidate also should demonstrate experience with multi-tasking and have the ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and possess meticulous work habits with careful attention to detail. This work will be central to several major research projects, and co-authorship on high-impact publications is expected.

The successful candidate should demonstrate initiative and be invested in the success of research projects. They will have enthusiasm for taking a hands-on, problem-solving approach, learning on the job, and collaborating with research scientists and associates in an informal collegial work environment imbued with intellectual rigor. They should possess an outstanding academic record and strong communication skills, demonstrate innovative and analytical thinking, and enjoy working in an interdisciplinary team.

Basic Qualifications

Master\'s Degree and 5+ years experience in the area of bioinformatics or related field

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• A topically-relevant PhD and/or wet and dry laboratory experience is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences or a computational science, or a similarly related analytical discipline preferred.
• Must have excellent programming skills in at least one script language such as Python or R.
• Must be comfortable working in Unix/Linux environments and using the command line.
• Must have the ability to multitask while working independently and exercising good judgment in terms of meeting deadlines.
• Must be able to maintain well-documented and tested code and analysis results.
• Must be motivated to learn new technologies, contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals, and have strong communication skills with the ability to interact with other researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds.

Additional Information

This is a two-year term position from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension, contingent upon work performance and continued funding to support the position. 

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Please note that we are currently conducting a majority of interviews and onboarding remotely and virtually. We appreciate your understanding.

The Harvard Medical School is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

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We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace culture of faculty, staff, and students with diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities, and motivations. We appreciate and leverage the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Harvard Medical School Mission and Community Values

https://hms.harvard.edu/about-hms/campus-culture/mission-community-values-diversity-statement

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.