Overview:
Microbial surveillance through genomics is imperative and need of hour. Rapid changing pattern of fungi and bacteria is posing a threat to human health in terms of therapeutic failure. Genome analysis executed through advanced techniques like Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) helps to understand the biological information at the molecular, cellular, and genomic levels. Bioinformatics tools help to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information at various levels using mathematical and statistical methods executed by various programming languages. The combined power of NGS and bioinformatics is changing the approach towards epidemiological studies, medical diagnosis, and treatment.
Jhpiego Pakistan, An Affiliate of Johns Hopkins University USA, is seeking a position of a “Bioinformatic Specialist” to provide technical assistance to National Institutes of Health-Pakistan & Global Fund’s Principal & Sub-recipients to improve Lab diagnostics & disease surveillance (NGS) and enhance capacities in bioinformatics. This assistance will help ensure that Global Fund’s C19RM re-investment’s utilization is optimized and will further enable NIH Pakistan and other PRs to achieve both technical, strategic and financial milestones of C19RM grant and ensure funds are absorbed and are used for the purpose they are intended by redirecting funds to achieve impactful & priority improvements in Lab diagnostics & NGS & bioinformatics.
This is a contractual position based in Islamabad and is renewable based on availability of funding and scope of work.
Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform Next generation microbial sequencing data analysis including;
1. Handling the Raw Data:
- Quality control of the data
- Import and export molecular sequence data in different file formats.
- Store and organize the data.
- Visualize and manipulate the data through intuitive, graphical-user interfaces.
2. Managing the Plugins and pipelines:
- Add new features and popular open-source algorithm’s by installing “plugins”
- Link plugins into workflows.
3. Explore and Utilize the Databases:
- Search, download, and Blast online sequence databanks, such as GenBank and UniProt.
- Create custom Blast databanks.
- Interpret and analyse Blast results through interactive GUIs.
4. Perform NGS Analyses:
- De Novo assembly, reference mapping, and statistics of NGS data.
- Assembly and analyse a mixture of data from different NGS sequencing platforms.
5. Performing Molecular Evolution:
- Data analysis & genomic characterization which includes; identification of SNPs, differentially expressed gene analysis, de novo assembly of genomes, metagenomics and rDNA18S.
- Comparative genomic analyses such as alignment, phylogenies, gene and protein prediction, dot plots and primer building.
- Colourful and editable graphical representation of results (e.g. genome maps).
Qualifications:
- Master degree (MS/ M. Phil) in bioinformatics with 3-5 years’ practical experience. Candidate with PhD in bioinformatics with experience in microbial genomics, sequencing analysis, genomics data handling will be given preference.
- Experience in high-throughput data analysis and visualization skills using R, JMP, SAS or relevant software packages will be preferred
- Familiarity with NGS data analysis pipelines and platforms (i.e. Galaxy, Dolphin Next) will be an added advantage.
- Covid vaccination certificate would be desirable as per government protocols.
Note: Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted. The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
Jhpiego is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. Failure to follow the instructions of applying, your application would be denied.
For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org