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Computational Biologist

Employer
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
View more categoriesView less categories
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Department:

Epidemiology-463501

Career Area :

Research Professionals

Posting Open Date:

11/25/2024

Application Deadline:

12/09/2024

Open Until Filled:

No

Position Type:

Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title:

Computational Biologist

Appointment Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number:

20067957

Vacancy ID:

NF0008689

Full Time/Part Time:

Part-Time Permanent

FTE:

0.75

Hours per week:

30

Position Location:

North Carolina, US

Hiring Range:

Dependent on Qualifications

Proposed Start Date:

01/06/2025

Be a Tar Heel!:

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Department of Epidemiology is one of the seven departments located in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The department’s primary focus is to the development and application of research methods to understand the patterns and causes of health and disease, and the application of that knowledge to improving the health of populations. We provide strong training in research methods and opportunities for the application of epidemiology to a wide range of health problems through our research. The achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni have enabled us to become one of the leading academic departments of epidemiology in the world. The department has 30 Tenured-Tenure Track / 7 Joint Tenure-Track Faculty, 25 Fixed Term / 3 Joint Fixed Term Faculty, 120 Adjuncts, 19 EHRA Non-Faculty, 15 Postdocs, 34 SHRA (Staff), 44 SHRA Temporary and 202 Students. The department’s operating budget is 27 million a year.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Statistician with computational biology skills to support multiple genetic epidemiologic research projects (Computational Biologist). Current research seeks to understand relationships between risk factors and adverse cardiometabolic health outcomes using genetics and multi-omics. This multidisciplinary research aims to improve health among racial/ethnic minorities and eliminate health disparities. The candidate will be responsible for the management, quality control, and analysis of data across multiple projects. Data include biological markers and disease phenotypes related to kidney and cardiovascular disease. The work will be conducted in both Unix/Linux and Windows environments or cloud computing settings. The Statistician will develop, modify, and maintain statistical coding and Unix scripts (cshell; perl). The Statistician will develop and modify, in collaboration with the Principal Investigators, data analysis plans that may include, but are not limited to, descriptive analyses, regression analyses, multilevel and mixed modeling, and application of new approaches to genomics data. The ability to work independently and to organize and adjust priorities appropriately as guided by the Principal Investigators will be critical for the success of this position.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

* Minimum of two years’ work experience with SAS or R and modeling procedures in the Unix, Linux, and Windows environments

* Skilled in conducting analyses of large genotype and phenotype datasets, including association and admixture mapping statistical modelling, Bayesian modelling, integrative analyses of multi-omics, and familiarity with clustering analysis, and time-to-event approaches

* Experience constructing composite variables, merging data, and performing extensive quality control checks

* Experience documenting pipelines to maintain datasets, programs, and associated annotation for future reproducibility

* Ability to communicate technical information efficiently to non-technical team members, and display excellent interpersonal and communication skills as there is interaction with members of a multi-disciplinary team of individuals within and outside UNC

* Familiarity with data security principles and working with PHI

* Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize his/her own work as s/he will be responsible for meeting deadlines and implementing any needed reporting, data manipulation, or analyses on time

Experience gained during graduate or post-doctoral studies is acceptable

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

* Degree or background in biostatistics, statistics, computer science, bioinformatics, or other data science

* Experience in etiologic research in pediatric and/or adult kidney disease

Special Physical/Mental Requirements:

* Typical physical demands of a professional position with a high amount of computer usage and screen time

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions:

All applications should be sent electronically to the attention of Nora Franceschini at the following website: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/292056. Applicants should provide a letter describing their qualifications, along with their curriculum vitae, contact information for at least three professional references, and a R Script Sample for Analysis.

Organization

The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.

Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.


Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894

Total Student Enrollment: 30,011

Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States

Type of Institution: Public, four-year

Undergraduate Admission: 15,961

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039

Total Student Enrollment: 26,000

Faculty: 3,000

Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent

Faculty/student ratio: 1/14

Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.

Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.

Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400

Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.

Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!

Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu

Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu

Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.

Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career

Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.

Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.

Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci

The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad

The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors

Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.

UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.

UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.

Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.

Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre- professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm

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