The “HIV-BAL” study is a grant awarded to Makerere University College of Health Sciences by the National Institutes of Health and Fogarty International Center (Grant Number: R21TW012354 ). It is aimed at investigating the crosstalk between Lung microbiome and immune responses in the distal airways of people with COPD in a viremically controlled Ugandan HIV cohort using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Understanding the relationship between lung microbiome and orchestrated immune responses in the distal airways of individuals with HIV (PLWH) and COPD will provide insight into the role of lung microbiome and mechanisms of COPD among PLWH. The study is soliciting applications from suitably qualified Individuals for the position of a Computational Biologist.
Roles:
- Participate in DNA/RNA extraction, quality control, storage and shipment if required in the lab
- Organize, curate, process and analyse metagenomics and metatranscriptomics datasets using the state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools.
- Organize, curate, process and analyse bulk and scRNA seq datasets using the state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools.
- Integrate multi-omics datasets using available state of the art bioinformatics tools.
- Organize, curate, process and analyse TCR/BCR seq datasets using state of the art bioinformatics tools.
- Translate results from bulk RNAseq, scRNAseq, 16SrRNAseq, CyTOF, TCR/BCR seq into new therapeutic concepts, biomarkers and improved drug discovery screening strategies.
- Establish and develop new analysis strategies in areas such as RNA-seq, cell deconvolution and DNA methylation.
- Perform statistical analyses, clustering and classification.
- Participate in feature designs and code reviews.
- Oversee junior computational biologists within the lab.
- Participate in weekly project meetings and journal clubs
Qualifications & Skills: Required: Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics or final year postgraduate student in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Biostatistics, Statistics, Mathematics. Additional: Experience working in a wet lab with large scale genomic datasets, demonstrated proficiency in programming languages such as R and Python with knowledge of MATLAB and java, demonstrated proficiency in analytical languages, demonstrated applied bioinformatics/computational proficiency as evidenced by relevant publications in peer-reviewed journals, expertise in methods pertinent for functional interpretation of -omics, pathway enrichment, functional module detection and causal reasoning, experience with microbiome software.
How to apply: If you have the relevant qualifications, provide a detailed CV demonstrating possession of the job requirements: current position, names and addresses of two (2) referees, copies of academic certificates and testimonials, including daytime telephone contact and GCP certificate. To apply, please submit your application as a single PDF to balstudy2022@gmail.com. Please indicate subject line as: COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGIST. Deadline for receiving applications: 15th September 2023 at 5pm. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. If you do not hear from us by 16st September 2023 at 5pm, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.
