(Senior) Computational Genomics Scientist - Pathogen

Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity’s most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. Set for completion in 2027, the Ellison Institute will be a state-of-the-art research institute and incubator in Los Angeles, California, with facilities for wet lab research, data analysis, and office space. We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled Computational Genomics Scientist to join our team, focusing on pathogen genomics research. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in analyzing genomic data, developing novel computational methods, and contributing to cutting-edge research in the field of infectious diseases. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, contributing to impactful projects that address critical global health challenges. **Responsibilities:** * Design and implement computational pipelines for the analysis of pathogen genomic data, including but not limited to bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. * Perform quality control, assembly, annotation, and variant calling of pathogen genomes using established and novel bioinformatics tools. * Conduct comparative genomic analyses to identify and characterize genetic variations, evolutionary relationships, and functional elements of pathogens. * Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods to analyze large-scale genomic datasets and identify disease-relevant patterns. * Collaborate with experimental biologists and other researchers to integrate genomic data with experimental findings and validate research results. * Contribute to the development and maintenance of bioinformatics resources, including databases, software tools, and workflows. * Prepare and present research findings in scientific publications, presentations, and reports. * Stay up-to-date with the latest advances in genomics, bioinformatics, and infectious disease research. * Mentor and supervise junior researchers and students. * Participate in grant writing and other funding initiatives. **Qualifications:** * Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, or a related field. * Proven experience in analyzing and interpreting genomic data, with a focus on pathogen genomics. * Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics packages (e.g., Biopython, R packages). * Experience with high-throughput sequencing data analysis, including NGS data processing, variant calling, and phylogenetic analysis. * Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques applied to genomic data analysis. * Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and high-performance computing (HPC) environments. * Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. * Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment. * Experience in grant writing and publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles is a plus. **Preferred Qualifications:** * Experience with metagenomics or single-cell genomics approaches. * Experience with pathogen surveillance or outbreak investigation. * Experience with developing and implementing bioinformatics pipelines using tools such as Nextflow or Snakemake. * Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker or Singularity. * Experience with genome assembly and annotation tools (e.g., SPAdes, Prokka). **Benefits:** * Competitive salary commensurate with experience. * Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance. * Paid time off and holidays. * Professional development opportunities. * Opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects. * Collaborative and supportive work environment. * The Ellison Institute is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.