Senior Clinical Bioinformatician, Molecular Medical Genetics Lab, Winston Campus

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation • Wake Forest, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Senior Clinical Bioinformatician in the Molecular Medical Genetics Lab at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The role involves leading project management, conducting audits, implementing and managing bioinformatics methodologies and pipelines for NGS data analysis, and collaborating with clinical staff to translate data into actionable insights. The bioinformatician will also be responsible for assessing and automating analysis workflows, ensuring compliance with clinical laboratory regulations, leading validation efforts, and developing policies and practices adhering to various guidelines. The role requires strong communication skills, the ability to work independently and in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to patient confidentiality.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, data science or a related field and 3+ years of bioinformatics experience, OR Master’s degree with 5+ years of experience, OR Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of experience.
• Experience with Linux-based or cloud computing environments.
• Proficiency in Python, R for developing somatic and germline analysis pipelines, with experience managing the codebase using Git.
• Proven experience in NGS data analysis, variant detection, and annotation.
• Familiar with the basic of genomics, genetics or molecular and cell biology.
• Proficiency in Python, R, Bash, or similar programming/scripting languages.
• Ability to write custom code for constructing analysis pipelines and manipulating sequence data.
• Demonstrated organizational ability, attention to detail, and accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to build rapport and relate to all people.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Excel with working independently, troubleshooting problems, and providing solutions.
• Ability to speak effectively and present material to be understood by a diverse group of individuals.
• Maintains patient confidentiality in and out of the workplace.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud platforms is preferred.
• Familiarity with cancer genomics, liquid biopsy, or hereditary disease testing preferred.
• Experience with machine learning applications in bioinformatics preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management efforts, ensuring timely completion of goals and projects in alignment with strategic plans, and identify necessary resources for successful delivery.
• Conduct regular audits of bioinformatics processes to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Implement and manage bioinformatics methodologies and pipelines for somatic and germline targeted genes sequencing, exhibiting good code and development practice.
• Analyze and interpret NGS data from various sequencing platforms (e.g., Illumina, Ion Torrent) for clinical applications such as hereditary disease diagnostics, cancer genomics, and solid tumor mutation detection.
• Hands-on design, develop, and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for tasks like variant calling, copy number variation (CNV) detection, structural variant analysis, and gene expression profiling.
• Work closely with clinical laboratory staff, pathologists, directors, and researchers to translate bioinformatics analyses into actionable clinical insights.
• Communicate complex bioinformatics concepts and results to non-technical stakeholders in a clear and effective manner.
• Assess data analysis workflows to identify opportunities for automation of analysis, reporting, and quality control (QC). Implement improvements in collaboration with laboratory leadership.
• Ensure all bioinformatics workflows and analyses comply with clinical laboratory regulations and standards (e.g., CLIA, CAP).
• Lead the validation and verification of bioinformatic systems, including modifications, upgrades, and other changes; develop and maintain documentation for bioinformatics processes.
• Develop and implement bioinformatics policies and practices that adhere to CLIA, CAP, CDC, OSHA, AABB, and FDA guidelines.
• Oversee CAP bioinformatics surveys and ensure compliance with CAP inspections.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update policies accordingly.
• Ensure the implementation of effective quality assurance and quality control programs, integrating with related committees and processes to maintain high standards.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Generous retirement offerings
• Programs that invest in your career development
• Paid Time Off programs
• Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

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