Model system genome database manager (f/m/d)

Job Code: 58-23

Job Offer from January 26, 2024

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences is a leading international research institute of exceptional scientific breadth. With more than 40 research groups and some 1,000 employees from over 50 nations, it is the largest institute of the Max Planck Society.

The department of Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration (Dr. Jochen Rink) invites applications for a position as a model system genome database manager (f/m/d).

We are a young, international department and our working language is English. We study the fascinating ability of planarians to regenerate complete animals from tissue pieces and conduct worldwide expeditions to study the evolution of regenerative abilities within the taxon. Our scientific approach includes genome sequencing, comparative genomics and various next generation sequencing techniques. Further, we have established and maintain PlanMine, the Planarian research community’s online resource .

We are looking for a motivated and experienced model organism genome researcher to spearhead and curate the further evolution of the PlanMine web resource. You will be an integral part of the department’s bioinformatics subgroup and involved in our ongoing genomics research. You will also interface with the local IT service provider (GWDG) and the university informatics department re technical aspects of PlanMine hosting and development. You will also bridge to the world-wide user community, e.g. by organizing curation efforts, parsing and implementing user suggestions or presenting new database features at international meetings. Thus, you will have the opportunity to remain at the cutting edge of big data management, expand your world-wide contact network or to additionally pursue your own research interests in genome evolution.

• Overseeing the maintenance and further development of the PlanMine web resource.
• Coordinating and publishing new database releases/features.
• Implementing and overseeing web-based curation efforts.
• Developing and implementing web applications for the exploration of large datasets.
• Databasing and analysis of large biological datasets, primarily, but not exclusively produced from NGS experiments.

• You hold a PhD in a Life Sciences or Bioinformatics subject.
• You have extensive hands-on experience with the use, upkeep and management of model organism genome browsers.
• You are familiar with Linux-based server environments and have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: Java/Javascript,  HTML/CSS, MySQL, PostgreSQL and server administration.
• As a person, you are a team player, you have excellent communication skills,  you are fluent in English and a biologist at heart.

• You are self-motivated and able to multitask/prioritize different projects.

• Community-based workshops/hackathlons.
• Biological dataset visualization on the web (e.g. intermine, bluegenes, wormbase, biomart, R Shiny).
• RNA-Seq data analysis of bulk or single cell data (e. g. clustering, differential gene expression, gene set enrichment, trajectory analysis).
• Genome/transcriptome assembly; novel gene or protein annotation, orthology assignment.
• Advanced statistics & machine learning techniques.
• Supervision of students or other team members.

• Inspiring, world-class research environment.
• Opportunities to participate in the department’s world-wide field expeditions.
• Moving assistance for the ones joining us from abroad and help with getting settled in Göttingen.
• Professional training, networking and career-development opportunities; free language courses.
• On-site health management: free fitness and yoga room, sports groups, beach volleyball league, and courses for a "moving lunch break”.
• A wide range of opportunities to balance work and family life, including an on-campus kindergarten and vacation care.
• Initiatives for sustainability and a green environment with an on-site biotope.
• Close proximity to the historic town center of Göttingen with rich cultural opportunities and a vibrant student scene.
• Green and peaceful surroundings that are great for running, hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities.

The position should be filled as soon as possible; the exact start date is flexible. The payment and benefits are based on the TVöD (wage agreement for public service personnel) guidelines. Positions are initially limited to two years with a possibility of extension.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Please submit your application including a cover letter, CV, transcripts and publication record (if applicable), and the contact addresses of three referees as a single document, preferably as a PDF file. Please make sure that the cover letter clearly states your motivation for why you want to join the department and your relevant experience that qualifies you for this position. Review of applications will begin immediately. Please submit your application to
[email protected]

Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences
Department „Tissue Dynamics and Regeneration“
Herrn Dr. Jochen Rink
Am Fassberg 11
37077 Göttingen
Germany

For informal e-mail enquiries, please write to [email protected] .