Advancing Genomics Technologies for Health and Life Sciences

The Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC), a provincial program within the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), is a recognized international leader in genomics, bioinformatics, and genome technology innovation. By developing and deploying cutting-edge sequencing and computational platforms, the GSC supports breakthrough research across cancer, rare and infectious diseases, and the broader life sciences. Our work enables earlier diagnosis, novel therapeutic approaches, and transformative applications of genomics to improve human health and environmental resilience—delivering both social and economic impact through science.

Job Reference no: CB_P01067_HSA190602_BioinfoLIMS_2025_10_20

Summary

The Computational Biologist will participate in the analysis of sequencing data by developing, refining and adapting bioinformatics tools for a high-throughput processing pipeline.  The Computational Biologist will also participate in the development and maintenance of the production databases, which provide tracking of all of the laboratory and bioinformatics analysis pipelines at the GSC.  Additionally, the Computational Biologist will assist in the packaging and distribution of developed tools and analysis results to the scientific community, and will be contributing to the preparation of scientific publications.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assist in the development and maintains the core sequence analysis pipelines at GSC, including but not limited to:
2. QC of sequencing data;
   • Alignment of sequenced reads;
   • Formatting and manipulation of alignment files for use by downstream pipelines (e.g. merging, reheadering);
   • Dissemination of data to collaborators;
   • New analyses pipelines as required.
3. Assists in the development and maintains GSC laboratory, quality and analysis databases, including:
   • Routine database integrity checks and database maintenance;
   • Development of views and interfaces for data entry;
   • Development of reports for internal users and collaborators;
   • Investigation of new frameworks and designing new schemas and tables.
4. Communicate with stakeholders in the lab, on analysis teams, and with external collaborators to understand and document requirements for development and to respond to questions about collaborator data and data quality.
5. Work with upstream and lab teams generating data to be housed in the database, and with downstream users of the databases to meet requirements, and responds to internal requests for query and API support.
6. Participate in the development and maintains ETL pipelines between GSC production databases.
7. Manage the storage and compression of over 5Pb of internally generated sequencing data as well as the download and storage of external data.
8. Work closely with GSC Systems team and Quality Assurance team to establish and carry out best practices for data security, and ensure compliance with ISO 27001 certification, CAP/DAP clinical accreditation requirements and other data use agreements.
9. Test and validate new data analysis software for analyses such as alignment, duplicate marking and merging.
10. Participate in code walk-throughs and reviews of solutions.
11. Participate in the design and builds database solutions, taking performance into consideration.
12. Coordinate production problem resolution for assigned applications, including working with other technical teams.
13. Produce thorough but concise written documentation of database tables, applications, validations, SOPs, and other processes and procedures as required.
14. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from a recognized Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Science Program in either Biological Sciences or Computer Science.
• Two (2) years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the GSC Group Leaders.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in database programming and database design.
• Demonstrated ability in Python.
• Experience designing and/or maintaining a relational database including knowledge of SQL or PostgreSQL, and with ORMs.
• Experience with REST API development.
• Experience with front-end web development (AngularJS, React).
• Functional knowledge of distributed version control systems, such as GIT.
• Experience developing software as part of a team, familiarity with Agile development and ticketing systems.
• Comfortable working in an Unix environment, including experience with shell scripting and common command-line tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize work assignments and establish priorities.