Bioinformatics Support Specialist
The Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (SCDA) section, under the Core Facilities (CF), promotes the effective use of High-Performance Computing (HPC) in the OIST research environment. The SCDA manages OIST scientific computing resources and services to support computationally intensive research studies, ranging from bioinformatics to computational physics.
Under the direction of the SCDA Leader, the bioinformatics support specialist will enhance the usage of OIST’s substantial scientific computing services by providing consulting and support services to the genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics users, and other CF sections like the sequencing section.
This position is funded by the J-PEAKS Grant, which was approved by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
- Support users with bioinformatics software and computing needs, including installing and maintaining open-source software and databases on HPC systems and consulting on various bioinformatics tools and methods
- Provide 2nd level support to user’s workflows and specific use-cases
- Collaborate with other Core Facilities sections and support bioinformatics related user groups with project deliverables and milestones. Advise sections and users on bioinformatics-related system procurement
- Write user-facing and internal documentation, prepare and provide bioinformatics training and seminars
- Stay current with the best practices and latest trends in bioinformatics and computational biology research fields
- Contribute to a team culture of trust and transparency by sharing information openly and deliberately
- Perform other related duties as assigned or requested by the Section Leader
(Required)
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, with 3+ years of working experience or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- Shell scripting experience on Linux/Unix systems
- Programming experience in at least two frequently used languages for bioinformatics programming (Python, Perl, R, and C/C++).
- Experience in software deployment automation tools (Automake, Autoconf, (c)make, pip, etc.)
- General knowledge of open-source bioinformatics databases and tools
- Daily usage of version control tools such as Git (preferred), SVN, CVS, etc.
- Good organization and communication skills, verbal and written, either in Japanese or in English
- Experience in supporting end users
- Ability to develop positive working relationships and a strong rapport with team members
- Ability to identify and resolve problems
- Ability to learn and apply new concepts, methods, and practices
(Preferred)
- Experience in running analysis workflows on Linux-based HPC systems
- Experience working in an academic or research environment
- Knowledge of virtualization (Virtualbox, libvirt, etc.) and container (Docker, Singularity, Enroot, etc.) technologies
Expected Annual Salary: 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 yen
*This amount represents the expected annual salary range for this position, which will be determined based on your experience and skills in accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations.
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education
- Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Cover letter in English required.
- Curriculum vitae in English required. Japanese version required only for Applicants whose native language is Japanese.
- 2 reference letters will be required if the Applicant is selected as a shortlisted candidate.
* Please be sure to indicate where you first saw the job advertisement.
- OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. The University strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups.
- Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
- Please view OIST policy for rules on external professional activities
- Further details about the University can be viewed on the OIST website www.oist.jp.
Full-time, fixed term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with 3-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed by taking into consideration the performance evaluation, conduct, and behavior of the Employee and OIST’s financial and other circumstances.
9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)
Break: 12:00 – 13:00
Holidays:
Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave:
Annual Paid Holidays, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Overtime work hours:
Discretionary Working Hours System：
In the discretionary labor system for specialized work, the employee shall be deemed to have worked 7 hours 30 minutes per day.