Bioinformatician - Smith Lab

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) is a world-renowned center and a global leader in precision nutrition research. Our on-site facilities include multiple wet labs and clinical facilities as well as a vivarium and a metabolic chamber. Approximately two hours from UNC-Chapel Hill, the NRI is located on the beautiful North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis, NC, a mid-size city with a small-town feel. The institute is within walking distance of the city center which includes shops, restaurants, a minor-league ballpark, theater, and music hall of fame. We are also a short drive to Charlotte and Winston-Salem/Greensboro. The NRI offers programs that support a healthy work/life balance. We also offer professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning.

Learning how people can eat uniquely!

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute ( NRI) is an internationally recognized center conducting innovative basic and translational science to establish how individual differences in nutrient requirements and responses to diet affect our nutritional needs. Our research contributes to the prevention and mitigation of chronic disease across the lifespan from periconception through aging.

Our Mission is to lead precision nutrition research through understanding how genetics and environment affect an individual's requirements for and responses to nutrients.

NRI principal investigators hold faculty appointments in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill. Their research interrogates nutrient roles in disease prevention, disease risk factors, and the impact of gene-environment and gene-nutrient interactions.

The NRI promotes excellence in nutrition knowledge, teaching, and research. We seek and encourage a diversity of experiences and ideas and provide the tools and flexibility for all employees to achieve success and excellence within their chosen occupations and aspirations.

We are committed to open dialogue, careful listening, becoming educated about the systems that hinder or prevent success, and taking action to ensure that all are equally acknowledged for their contributions and equally reap the benefits of being part of our community.

Our Vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition.

Everyone who works at the NRI supports this hopeful vision. Working at the NRI means doing good for the world. Join us!

The NRI and this position are in Kannapolis, NC, in the Charlotte region.

Position Title: Temporary Bioinformatician-Smith Lab

We seek an energetic, creative, and motivated researcher to join our team as a Bioinformatician. The responsibilities of the successful candidate include but are not limited to: bioinformatic and statistical analysis of genome-wide association studies, whole transcriptome sequencing, metabolomics, and DNA methylation data, generation of summary data displays (figures, tables), and composition of scientific manuscripts.

Duties include:

1) Bioinformatic and statistical analysis of genomic data from clinical studies. Work closely with the research team and their collaborators on an NIH-funded study that performs genomic analysis to identify nutrient-related polymorphisms that affect offspring growth and cognition in a cohort of individuals who experienced prenatal alcohol exposure. S/he will be a key team member in this advanced research program in the area of nutrition, genes, and prenatal outcome. The Bioinformatician will conduct the genetic association studies using datasets provided by collaborators under an NIH initiative that seeks to develop diagnostic tools for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ( CIFASD.org). This individual has primary responsibility to perform genome-wide association studies ( GWAS) from both SNP-based and whole-genome datasets. Must have prior experience with the data analysis pipeline including data cleansing, genetic imputation, regression modeling against neurobehavioral and morphological measures, multivariate analysis, and calculation of linkage by ancestry and effect sizes. Primary responsibility for generating images, tables, and data displays of results using data visualization software packages (i.e., R-suite). Interact with collaborators and contribute to data interpretation and writing of manuscripts. Maintain knowledge of current methods in the field, including pipelines for data processing and analysis, and suggest new methods to address research aims. Collaborate with lab team members including students to advance analytic goals of the lab.

2) Work collaboratively with PI and other lab members on preparation and submission of manuscripts and grants. Generate data displays, figures, and tables for manuscripts and grants. Conduct literature searches and help to maintain reference library on methodologies used for analysis. Draft manuscripts using study data for submission. The candidate will have the opportunity to take the lead on manuscript generation and work collaboratively with co-authors on manuscript preparation and submission.

Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

- Direct experience in bioinformatics or biostatistics/statistics
- Direct experience with GWAS (genome-wide association studies) data cleansing and imputation, and data visualization
- Training in biology, statistics, and computation
- Conversant in core bioinformatics tools (e.g., R, Python).
- Strong critical thinking skills, self-direction, and motivation
- Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with research collaborators

- Course work in bioinformatics, computer science, biostatistics, biology, or related field

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu

Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.