Scientific Programmer I - Dept. of Epidemiology

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

We are looking for a Full-Time Scientific Programmer to join the Department of Epidemiology as part of the UTHealth School of Public Health. In this position, you will support the Human Genetics Center by developing, implementing, and maintaining algorithms/ software programs for large-scale computing. You will also contribute to research projects and manuscripts. 

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary:

Applies technical skills obtained from a concentrated degree program in the biomedical sciences, computer science or engineering in designing and developing highly specialized programs and applications in a research setting.  

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Follows correct procedures for implementing software packages in R and C++
• Codes moderately complex programs and analysis pipelines in R and C++ and ensures that the programs conform to technical specifications.
• Thoroughly and adequately tests all functions of software packages.
• Verifies test results and makes modifications as appropriate.
• Prepares documentation on software packages and analysis pipelines.
• Maintains competed/existing software packages and analysis pipelines.
• Performs statistical analyses for collaborative research projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

• Professional competency in one or more of the following scientific programming languages: JAVA, C# .NET framework, Perl, Python, Or other scientific programming languages as appropriate to research focus.
• Competency in mathematical modeling and statistical computing preferred.

Preferred:

• Working knowledge and experience in genome-wide association studies and whole genome sequencing data analysis.
• Deep understanding in linear algebra, generalized linear models and their implementations.
• Knowledge and experience in statistical models for correlated data analysis, Newton-Raphson algorithm, Fisher scoring, derivative-free optimization algorithms preferred.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences, computer science or engineering or another degree directly applicable to the assignment.

Minimum Experience:

• One year of relevant research experience in appropriate scientific area.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.