Data Analyst/ Programmer – Rouskin Lab

About Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a leading, nonprofit research and educational institution that has defined the cutting edge of biomedical science, creating a legacy of research excellence and academic eminence since 1982. Wholly independent in its governance, finances and research programs, Whitehead shares a teaching affiliation with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offering the intellectual, collegial and scientific benefits of a leading research university. Whitehead’s Faculty Members and Fellows run pioneering programs in cancer research, immunology, developmental biology, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, genetics and genomics—programs with a record of success.

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt: Research Staff

REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY

Utilizing strong analytical skills and a background in programming, statistics, mathematics and data analysis to collaborate on short and long term independent research projects to support scientific research objectives of the lab, the candidate will develop algorithms for quantifying the performance of models against accrued data and will apply mathematical and statistical reasoning in this analysis. He/she will develop frameworks for optimizing model parameters across the pool of collected data in such a way to maximize the accuracy of the model. These tasks will require expertise in mathematics, statistics and machine learning as well as strong programming background in python.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND GOALS

RNA is unique among all biomolecules as it can be both information-storing and enzymatic. These features are tightly linked to its structure, in which base-pairing interactions give rise to a highly folded macromolecule. Indeed, in addition to the genetic code, which specifies the composition of proteins, we now know there is a secondary layer of information encoded in every transcript in the form of RNA structure that can regulate processes as diverse as splicing, localization, and translation efficiency. Recent genome-wide association and biochemical studies have linked multiple diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, to changes in RNA structure. The lab is focused on developing new methodology to identify and quantify multiple RNA conformations and to use this methodology to answer fundamental and unresolved questions on 1) HIV-1 RNA structure and 2) pre-mRNA structures that control alternative splicing in neurons.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

• Write custom code to combine current analytical scripts
• Perform data analysis on new experiments and make conclusions based on data
• Teach collaborators how to use scripts, in addition to website
• Website development/maintenance
• Other tasks as required or assigned; potential for exploratory projects

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree or MS in computer science, or a field directly related to the work.
• Must have 1+ years of experience in computer programming field.
• Strong analytical skills and a background in programming/ statistics / mathematics / data analysis.
• Expert knowledge of Python.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organizational skills.
• No biology background required.

Job Type: Full-time

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)