Postdoctoral Fellow | Temporary Full Time (1.0 FTE) | CHEO Research Institute

CHEO

9d • CA$28 - CA$33 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI) is seeking a highly motivated and computationally skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to lead the bioinformatics aspects of the genomics and multi-omics research activities within the Polavarapu Research Group. This role will contribute to projects focused on rare neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders, emphasizing computational approaches to genomic data analysis, in silico variant interpretation, AI-enabled bioinformatics, and the development of scalable analytical workflows. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work in a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment, providing computational and bioinformatic expertise to a team integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, phenotypic, and publicly available datasets for variant interpretation, gene discovery, genotype-phenotype studies, and translational rare disease research. This position involves close collaboration with clinicians, wet-lab scientists, bioinformaticians, and international research consortia. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of modern computational genomics workflows, including emerging AI/ML-based analytical approaches and reproducible bioinformatics pipelines.

Requirements

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, computer science, or related discipline
• Strong experience in bioinformatic analysis of next-generation sequencing datasets (e.g., WES/WGS, RNA-seq)
• Experience with genomic analysis workflows including: FASTQ → BAM/CRAM → VCF pipelines, Variant annotation and prioritization workflows
• Strong programming and command-line skills with experience using: Linux/Unix, Python and/or R
• Experience using in silico variant interpretation approaches for: Splicing variants, Missense/structural variants, Regulatory/non-coding variants
• Familiarity with genomic databases and resources such as: gnomAD, ClinVar, GTEx or similar platforms
• Experience developing and maintaining reproducible computational workflows/pipelines
• Familiarity with HPC and/or cloud-based computational environments
• Experience with containerisation technologies such as: Docker, Singularity/Apptainer or similar systems
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Compliance with CHEO RI’s occupational health, immunization, and health-surveillance requirements, as applicable to the role and work environment
• Completion of a Police Record Check, in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Multi-omics integration
• Experience with Proteomics datasets
• Experience with AI/ML/LLM approaches in genomics
• Familiarity with advanced computational genomics tools/frameworks such as: AlphaFold, AlphaGenome, Enformer, Borzoi, Hail, Spark or related tools
• Experience supporting APIs, databases, or web-based genomic applications
• Familiarity with rare disease genomics and phenotype-driven analysis approaches
• Experience contributing to collaborative national or international genomics projects/consortia
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to present and communicate research findings effectively
• Able to share information in an effective and collaborative manner
• Able to be creative, challenge, and demonstrate initiative to generate improvements

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain scalable and reproducible bioinformatics workflows for genomic analysis and variant interpretation
• Support development and implementation of AI/ML-enabled bioinformatics and variant interpretation workflows
• Perform end-to-end genomic analyses including: FASTQ processing, Alignment, Variant calling, Annotation, Variant prioritization and interpretation
• Interpret genomic variants using current best practices and advanced in silico approaches, including: Splicing prediction tools, Structural prediction frameworks, Regulatory/non-coding variant interpretation tools
• Work within Linux/HPC/cloud-based computational environments and contribute to reproducible computational infrastructure
• Develop and maintain containerized computational workflows using technologies such as Docker, Singularity/Apptainer, or related systems
• Integrate computational findings with phenotypic and clinical information to support biologically and clinically meaningful interpretation
• Collaborate closely with clinicians, laboratory scientists, trainees, and external collaborators to support translational genomics research
• Contribute to preparation of manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant applications
• Present research findings at internal meetings, workshops, and scientific conferences
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the Polavarapu Research Group

Benefits

• competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• unique culture that fosters dedication, communication, respect and teamwork
• place where your opinions will be respected, contributions valued and your initiatives rewarded
• family-friendly environment that supports you and your own family, as well as the children, youth and families we serve
• chance to grow — personally and professionally — through our comprehensive orientation program and on-the-job learning
• support for continued education and learning
• potential for a relocation reimbursement benefit
• truly unique work environment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree