Genomics Data Analyst Associate (Department of Neurodevelopment and Psychosis)

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Genomics Data Analyst Associate (Department of Neurodevelopment and Psychosis)

Job Profile Title

Database Technician

Job Description Summary

Genomics Data Analyst Associate

The Developmental Neurogenomics Research Laboratory is devoted to the study of brain and behavior throughout the lifespan. The Genomics Data Analyst Associate will oversee the collection, organization, and analysis of large-scale genetic and genomic datasets relevant to human brain development and neurodevelopmental, psychiatric disorders.

Job Description

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is the oldest and one of the finest medical schools in the United States. Penn is rich in tradition and heritage and at the same time consistently at the forefront of new developments and innovations in medical education and research. Since its founding in 1765 the School has been a strong presence in the community and prides itself on educating the leaders of tomorrow in patient care, biomedical research, and medical education.  http://www.med.upenn.edu/.  

Genomics Data Analyst Associate 

Dr. Michael Gandal, MD PhD and the Developmental Neurogenomics Research Laboratory (www.gandallab.org) are recruiting a Data Analyst to help investigators conduct psychiatric genomic research examining the genetic influences of both normal and abnormal brain development.  Psychiatric disorders are increasingly understood as disorders of brain development, with substantial heritable genetic contributions, and our research seeks to situate mental illness in this developmental genetic context.  To do this, we perform large-scale genetic and genomic analyses of the human brain using cutting edge genomic sequencing technologies including single cell and bulk RNA-sequencing, single molecule long-read sequencing, methylation profiling, and chromatin accessibility assays. We leverage these data to build comprehensive maps of gene regulation during human brain development, which we use to interpret the biological mechanisms underlying genetic risk for developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. The position will draw on a wide range of skills and provide learning opportunities in diverse areas. Responsibilities will include assisting with: acquisition and organization of large-scale genetic/genomic datasets relevant to psychiatric disorders; implementation and maintenance of lab-specific bioinformatic workflows and pipelines for brain genomic data analyses on high performance computing clusters; maintenance of regulatory documents and correspondence. Opportunities for data analysis and contributing to manuscripts abound.

Qualifications

BA/BS degree and 0-1 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required. The candidate must have a passion for science, strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and experience with computer programming in at least 1 language (preferably R or Python). Preference of an educational background in Computational Biology, Neuroscience, Engineering, Computer Science, or Biology/Premed with plans to pursue a graduate degree in computational biology, neuroscience, genetics/genomics or medicine. Experience with the Unix/Linux operating system is a major asset. Above all, the applicant should demonstrate strong motivation, teamwork, and excellent organizational skills.  

Background check required. Position contingent on funding.

Working Conditions
Office, Library, Computer Room; Requires extensive safety

Physical Effort
Typically sitting at a desk or table; Occasional lifting 25 lb. or less

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$20.45 - $31.25 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay