IS Programmer Analyst I Department of Medicine Channing

Channing Division of Network Medicine (CDNM), Brigham and Women’s Hospital is looking for a self-starting, creative Programmer/Analyst to join the CDNM team and lead the data management and data analysis components of ongoing epidemiological and translational research studies. The primary investigators in the CDNM are mainly translational scientists and bioinformaticians engaged in Network Medicine research projects and application of Systems Biology to allergy, asthma, COPD, and origins of these disease as well as preventive measure during pregnancy and early life. The successful candidate will work with the primary investigators, Drs. Hooman Mirzakhani and Scott T. Weiss, to establish a system that enables integrative statistical analysis of high-dimensional data collected from prior trials and study cohorts. Specific attention will be paid to facilitating high-level integration of multiomics data resources assembled during pregnancy from women and their offspring after birth.

The Analyst/Programmer performs statistical analyses to assist the primary investigators (HM, STW) on a variety of projects examining exposures and risk factors that influence health outcomes. These analyses require the use of several large datasets and appropriate programming to conduct the analyses under the supervision of the primary investigators. The Programmer/Analyst is responsible for creating, quality control, maintaining, and analyzing the data for the research projects per supervisor’s guidance and assisting with the improvement of analytical approach. The Analyst/Programmer also guides and advises the fellows and students working on the research projects with the primary investigators (HM, STW) to improve their analytical and programming skills. The Analyst/Programmer oversees the integrity of analytic databases while working closely with the project investigators. The Analyst/Programmer ensures that the project is proceeding according to plan and develops recording systems assuring that the flow of data is tracked in an accurate and timely fashion.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engages with the primary investigator to establish priorities for integrative analysis.
• Perform continuous research on bioinformatic approaches to data integration in various disease areas such as hypertension during pregnancy and childhood asthma, to ensure that best practices are known and emulated where appropriate; develop understanding and use of emerging "deep learning" strategies.
• Creates and maintain metadata harvesting software that will periodically populate a resource catalog used to support integrative queries to the various portals.
• Establish workflows for archiving, preprocessing, and analyzing outputs of diverse next-generation sequencing experiments, including WGS, RNA-seq (bulk and single-cell), and DNA Methylation-Seq.
• Use Bioconductor data and software testing and packaging protocols to facilitate the use of a "multi-assay" application programming interface (API) that will underlie integrative statistical inference on integrative mechanistic hypotheses.
• Ensures the developed code is re-usable for subsequent analyses.
• Prepares data for manuscripts and presentations.
• Documents programming and data management issues.
• Contributes to methodological and substantive publications on data integration and mechanistic studies in pregnancy-related conditions and early life diseases.
• Interacts closely with systems administrators to ensure that hardware and software environments are appropriate for the integrative work.
• Archives data as required by study, data use agreement, or other policy outlining archival requirements.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously and resolves difficulties in coordination of data with multiple sources.

M.Sc.or PhD in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics or computer science, with at least 2 years’ experience in biomedical/healthcare research environments and relevant research experience in the analysis of complex datasets. Acquaintance with concepts of human disease, medical and analytical terminology as well as next-generation sequencing technology are essential.

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Strong command of R programming and package creation.
• Familiarity with Bioconductor, UNIX and with continuous integration methodology for software testing and maintenance. Familiarity with Python Programming Languages is a plus.
• Experience with cloud and cluster computing concepts essential.
• Must have acquaintance with next-generation sequencing pipeline structures, alignment processes, coverage and feature count processing, inference on differential abundance.
• Some experience with machine learning methodology and practice is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Experience with data analysis methodologies and the ability to create and interpret data displays are required.
• Must be deadline-oriented, be able to multi-task, and communicate effectively.
• Must be able to work independently and display initiative to introduce innovations to research studies.
• Demonstrated statistical/analytical and reasoning skills to perform high-level problem-solving.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to take initiative, embrace challenges and develop creative solutions.
• Has a thorough understanding of analysis, coding, testing and project methodologies.
• A High level of confidentiality must be maintained.

Brigham and Women's Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.