Bioinformatician

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies. 

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research ' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and theCode of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). 

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

The role  

We are seeking a highly motivated Bioinformatician, to join the Epitranscriptomics and RNA Dynamics group (PI: Eva Novoa), to the study of the role of RNA modifications (the “epitranscriptome”) in using nanopore sequencing technologies.  

Your work would be part of the project “Systematic analysis of RNA modification dynamics upon neuronal activation and differentiation using nanopore sequencing”, which has been funded by the Minsterio de Ciencia e Innovacion (Plan Nacional), in which we aim to study how RNA modifications change during neuronal differentiation and activation and what is the role that they play in neuronal plasticity. 

Our laboratory has been pioneer in the use of native RNA nanopore sequencing to study RNA modifications, including the development of novel algorithms to map and quantify RNA modifications using nanopore sequencing (Liu et al, Nature Comm 2019 ; Begik et al, Nature Biotech 2021 ; Pryszcz and Novoa, Bioinformatics 2021 ) as well as novel protocols to improve the applicability of nanopore technologies towards low-input patient-derived samples (Smith et al, Genome Res 2020 ; Begik et al, bioRxiv 2021 ). Our lab is currently applying these novel methods to decipher the biological functions of the ‘uncharted epitranscriptome’ (Novoa et al, Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2017 ) and to understand why and how the dysregulation of RNA modifications contributes to diverse human diseases (Begik et al., Genome Biol 2020 ; Jonkhout et al., RNA Biol 2021 ), such as cancer, intellectual disabilities and diet-induced  metabolic disorders that are passed via epigenetic intergenerational inheritance mechanisms.  

The candidate will be responsible for leading the bioinformatics work related to the project, including the development of novel algorithms to analyse RNA modifications, quantify them, study their differential RNA modification patterns, etc. In addition, the candidate will provide general bioinformatic support to the team.  

About the lab 

Our lab is focused on deciphering the role that RNA modifications play in a large variety of cellular contexts, including the development of novel technologies to map RNA modifications. In our lab, we are employing a combination of experimental (RNASeq, RIP-Seq polysome profiling, mouse/cell knockouts, Oxford Nanopore direct RNA sequencing) and computational techniques (NGS data analysis, algorithm development, machine learning), to unveil the secrets of three post-transcriptional regulatory layers: the epitranscriptome, RNA structure and ribosome specialization. 

Whom would we like to hire?  

Professional experience  

To be successful in this application, you will an analytical thinker with a background Computational Biology (ideally related to RNA biology) and high-level skills in Bioinformatics.  

You will also possess the following key skills and attributes: 

Must Have

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Computational Biology or similar

• Experience with the analysis of nanopore sequencing data 

• Expertise in the of use HPC clústers 

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have

• Background in RNA biology 

• Experience in the analysis of illumina sequencing data 

• Experience with NextFlow, Docker or other container Systems 

Languages

• You must be fluent in oral and written English  

Competences  

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Capacity for carrying out duties under minimal supervision

• You have the drive and commitment to produce high quality experimental outcomes

• You have highly developed organization skills

• You have the ability to work as part of a team

• You have good academic writing skills

The Offer – Working Conditions 

• Contract duration: 3 months (Oct 2024-Dec 2024) 

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales 

• Target start date: 1st Oct 2024

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section .

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion,sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family lifeof its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

All applications must include:

All applications must be addressed to Dr. Eva Novoa and be submitted online through the "Apply" button below.

Selection Process  

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit-based. 

• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required. 

• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.  

Deadline: Please submit your application by 31st August 2024  

Proyecto PID2021-128193NB-100 de investigación financiado por MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa