Data Scientist II

Overview Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology (BBE) at Fred Hutch is seeking an experienced Data Scientist to work on multiple projects investigating the immunological correlates of vaccine protection for novel tuberculosis, HIV and COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The immune response to a vaccine can be variable across individuals, particularly for new vaccines that are in active development. Understanding the factors that impact vaccine response and identifying the features of the immune response that confer protection can provide critical feedback for vaccine refinement. As part of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network supported by the NIH Division of AIDS and the Global Health Vaccine Accelerator Program, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation we are leading major computational efforts to integrate immunological datasets generated from human vaccine trials. Analysis datasets include those generated by multicolor flow cytometry, transcriptomics/RNAseq, T cell receptor repertoire sequencing, single-cell/CITE-seq, microbiome 16S and metagenomic sequencing, and multiplexed systems serology, among others. With this data we have the potential to understand the immunological mechanisms of vaccines and to accelerate efforts to improve their efficacy and get them to the clinic.

Responsibilities The Data Scientist works closely with the PI, a computational biologist and biostatistician, and a growing team, to develop data pipelines, plan and conduct analyses, design and implement data visualizations, and help prepare figures for funding proposals and publication. The ideal candidate should have an appetite to understand and analyze new types of data, and a commitment to scientific rigor.

Qualifications M.A., M.S. in computational biology, biostatistics, computer science, data science, bioinformatics or a related field. Candidates with Ph.D. also encouraged to apply. 2 – 4 years of hands-on biological data science experience Proficiency in Python and/or R programming, with knowledge of the appropriate tools and libraries for working with biological data Demonstrated rigor and reproducibility through well organized and well documented code and/or committed to a public code repository (e.g. github) Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data (e.g., transcriptomics, immune repertoire, single-cell sequencing experiments) Preference for candidates having familiarity with dimensionality reduction, regression models, machine learning and/or cloud infrastructure for scalable scientific computing Outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail and effective communication are essential Eagerness to learn about immunology, vaccines, microbial ecology, biostatistics or whatever the science demands In addition to job duties at Fred Hutch, this position also requires access to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, which requires COVID-19 vaccination without exceptions. Accordingly, as a condition of employment for this Fred Hutch position, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination before their first day of employment.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.