Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC)

Today’s Research. Tomorrow’s Medicine.

The GSC is a department of the BC Cancer Research Institute and a high-throughput genome sequencing facility. We are leaders in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics in pursuit of novel treatment strategies for cancers and other diseases.

Among the world’s first genome centres to be established within a cancer clinic, for more than two decades our scientists and innovators have been designing and deploying cutting-edge technologies to benefit health and advance clinical research.

Among the GSC’s most significant accomplishments are the first publication to demonstrate the use of whole-genome sequencing to inform cancer treatment planning, the first published sequence of the SARS coronavirus genome and major contributions to the first physical map of the human genome as part of the Human Genome Project.

By joining the GSC you will become part of an exceptional and diverse team of scientists, clinicians, experts and professionals operating at the leading edge of clinical research. We look for people who share our core values—science, timeliness, respect—to join us on our mission to use genome science for the betterment of health and society.

Job Reference No.  ABC_P00183_JR# 150051_CCGI_2023_08_08

Summary

Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) of the BC Cancer Research Institute is a state-of-the-art, large scale, high throughput, clinically accredited genomics and bioinformatics facility in one of the most beautiful, diverse and eclectic cities in the world.

As an Assistant Bioinformatics Coordinator in the Clinical Panels Informatics team at the GSC, you will be responsible for supervising, coordinating and supporting activities related to clinical panel informatics through process monitoring, auditing and reporting as well as development, testing and validation of new clinical bioinformatics processes. The Assistant Bioinformatics Coordinator will report to the Bioinformatics Coordinator and is anchored within a team of exceptional computational scientists and programmers, who collaborate directly on the development and maintenance of robust, cost efficient, and competitive clinical genomics pipelines. By working within the GSCs bioinformatics facility, you will collaborate with clinical and research computational biologists and programmers across bioinformatics groups, clinical lab staff and the quality assurance group to deliver clinical diagnostic genomic testing for patients in BC.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assists the Bioinformatics Coordinator in the day to day activities of the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as providing input on quantity and quality of work, making recommendations for improvements, workflow and procedures.
2. Coordinates projects of the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as chairing project-specific meetings and provides project status reports to the Bioinformatics Coordinator, with suggestions towards any required improvement of project management, task allocation and overall process.
3. Develops and implements assays to monitor project progress and measure project accomplishments to ensure that appropriate project focus is maintained and to provide feedback to staff.
4. Provides supervisory support to the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as:

         a.   Orientating new staff.

         b.   Providing input to the Bioinformatics Coordinator on training requirements.

         c.   Providing input to the Bioinformatics Coordinator on the establishment of clear definitions of responsibility for employees.

         d.   Assigning workload assignments and establishing work schedules.

         e.   Reviewing and establishing work priorities and adjusting work schedules to ensure clinical priorities are met.

         f.    Completing performance reviews and addressing performance issues in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator.

5.         Participates in the recruitment of staff through methods such as interviewing internal and external applicants and forwards hiring recommendations.

6.         Participates in the implementation of quality improvement programs to ensure clinical assays are provided in the most efficient and effective way by performing duties such as:

         a.         Monitoring quality and quantity of service and information provided by the bioinformatics group and identifying areas for change and/or improvement.

         b.         Generating quality metrics and reports to evaluate quality and robustness of clinical bioinformatic pipelines

         c.      Develops clear and concise documentation

7.         Assesses practical needs for identified clinical priorities for GSC in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator and Analysis Group Leader.

8.         Participates in a variety of meetings by performing duties such as providing and/or receiving information and contributing to decision making.

9.         Participates, in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator, in determining the computer infrastructure necessary for successful completion of projects and ensured viability of research programs by performing duties such as providing input and recommendations regarding purchasing decisions related to hardware, software and related items for the clinical bioinformatics platform.

10.       Interprets statistical analyses and makes recommendations for review including preparing reports on statistical findings for publication and presentation both internally and externally of the GSC.

11.       Generates specification for pipeline improvements/implementations such as determining user requirements, examining and identifying problems with existing systems and recommending modifications to and/or new systems; provides details of cost benefit analysis

12.       Performs technical functions related to the bioinformatic functions of the GSC.

13.       Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from a recognized Bachelor’s program in a related discipline such as Biochemistry, Genetics, Computer Science.  A minimum of four (4) years of recent related experience in a research and or clinical laboratory including experience in computer programming and quantitative data analysis, handling next generation sequencing data, database development and data storage schemas or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the GSC Group Leaders.

Skills and Abilities

• Comfortable working in a Linux environment, including experience with shell scripting and common command-line tools.
• Proven expertise with Python, R, and/or other similar high-level languages
• Functional knowledge of distributed version control systems, such as Git.
• Demonstrated experience with analysis of next generation sequencing data with an understanding of standards and guidelines for validating clinical bioinformatics analysis pipelines using these technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to accept responsibility and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and to efficiently organize work assignments and establish priorities to meet set milestones.
• Excellent organizational, leadership interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write technical documents including validations and procedure manuals.
• Experience with bioinformatics workflow managers and database development would be considered an asset.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job.

Application

Please submit a detailed cover letter and resume to bcgscjobs@bcgsc.ca, using ABC_P00183_JR# 150051_CCGI_2023_08_08 in the subject line of your email.

As this is a union position, you will also have to apply either as an internal or external applicant through http://www.phsa.ca/careers using the posting reference 150051.

While we value and review all applications, please note that due to the volume of submissions only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This posting will remain online until the position is filled.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

Important!

As per the current Public Health Order, full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment with PHSA as of October 26, 2021.

Please note all jobs at the GSC are based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Flexible work options may be available for this position upon request and is subject to change in accordance with GSC’s operational needs and PHSA’s Flexible Work Options Policy.

We believe that equity, diversity and inclusivity are essential for the advancement of human knowledge and science.

We welcome all applicants and provide all employees with equal opportunity for advancement, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, conviction of a criminal or summary conviction offence unrelated to their employment.