Bioinformatician

• Innovative, collaborative and positive team-orientated environment
• Modern, world-class facilities
• Convenient Randwick location, close to transport

Every year in Australia there are around 950 new children diagnosed with cancer. To improve the outcomes of children with cancer, the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) initiated the Zero Childhood Cancer national personalised medicine trial (PRISM). This trial aims to match patients to the optimal treatment guided by molecular tumour profiling, high-throughput in vitro drug testing on patient-derived model systems and in vivo drug validation in patient-derived xenograft models. The Bioinformatics group at CCI plays a crucial role in unravelling and understanding the molecular basis and drivers of a child’s tumour and is essential for the integrative analyses to link molecular profiling data to in vitro generated drug efficacy data for drug hit calling and prioritisation for individual PRISM patients and the identification of novel biomarker-drug efficacy associations for future patients.

As a key partner of the Zero Childhood Cancer program, the Translational Tumour Biology (TTB) group at CCI is deeply involved in the molecular profiling and drug analysis of the program and focusses on further understanding how altered genes drive cancer and on how to translate this knowledge into new clinically applicable treatment interventions. The TTB group believes that understanding the molecular mechanisms used by cancer driver genes is the key to more effective therapies with reduced toxicity.

Currently, we are looking for a strong and creative programmer with an eye for detail and a passion for biological research to:

• Analyse high-throughput drug screening data within the PRISM trial
• Develop an integrative data analyses platform for dynamic correlations between in vitro drug efficacy data and molecular profiling data
• Support related research projects within the Translational Tumour Biology group
• Perform benchmarking analysis of software and develop and optimise key pipelines
• Contribute to the bioinformatics education of other researchers.

The bioinformatician will be embedded within the Translational Tumour Biology research group, while strongly interacting with and being fully supported by the Bioinformatics group. This unique position not only offers the opportunity for the candidate to develop new analysis approaches and make new informatic discoveries, but also to create own research questions.

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and optimize algorithms to analyse, visualise and summarise in vitro drug efficacy data generated within the national PRISM trial to support drug curation meetings in which drug screening results are shared and discussed with treating clinicians and other team members involved
• Develop an integrative data analyses platform for dynamic correlations between in vitro drug efficacy data and molecular profiling data
• Develop and implement algorithms using omics data and in vitro efficacy data to predict effective drug combinations
• Support spin-off research projects resulting from the precision medicine program
• Support research projects and grant administrative activities of the Translational Tumour Biology group
• Statistical analysis for clinical and bench-side research
• Assess, understand and implement bioinformatics tools and generate bioinformatics pipelines
• Teach, assist and mentor scientists in the field of bioinformatics
• Any other tasks required by the team leader or delegated senior team members

Qualifications, experience and skills required:

• Minimum BSc in either Bioinformatics, Biology, Molecular Biology, Computer Science or Statistics
• Strong expertise in at least one of the following areas:
  • Bioinformatics
  • Computer Science
  • Programming
• Expertise in at least two of bash, R, python, or perl is essential
• Expertise in at least one of the following areas is desirable:
  • Genomics
  • Genetics
  • Next generation sequencing
  • Cancer-, cell- or molecular biology
• Expertise in the interpretation of in vitro drug testing data is desirable, but not essential
• Highly motivated, creative and empathetic is essential
• Strong abilities in problem-solving and independent thinking

This is an excellent opportunity to work in an inspiring workplace. You'll be rewarded with a friendly and professional flexible work environment, comprehensive on-campus facilities, competitive salary, salary packaging options, access to a leading EAP program and regular social activities. Join a group of dedicated people in a performance-driven environment to achieve success and discover what it's like to look forward to coming to work every day and make a real difference. We're looking for people who share our values of accountability, integrity and camaraderie, teamwork, sharing and excellence, success and satisfaction.

A detailed job description and additional information about Children's Cancer Institute can be found on our website at: www.childrenscancerinstitute.org.au.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. To apply, please click the 'APPLY' link and forward both your resume AND cover letter clearly addressing the qualifications, experience and skills required. Note: Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date; which is dependent on the status of the recruitment process.