Data Scientist I

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is a public health laboratory whose mission is to improve and protect the human condition by providing accurate and precise testing, service, research and education. The WSLH vision is to be a global leader in improving quality of life through the advancement of science-based public, environmental and occupational health laboratory practice and policy. WSLH provides essential laboratory support in accordance with the public health goals of the state and the Wisconsin Division of Health Services (WDHS). Somewhat unique to WSLH is its inclusion in a public university. WSLH resides within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), and benefits greatly from this valuable partnership. Within WSLH, the Communicable Disease Division (CDD) performs many core functions of a public health laboratory:
-Disease prevention, control and surveillance
-Integrated data management
-Reference and specialized testing
-Food safety
-Laboratory improvement and regulation
-Policy development
-Public health preparedness and response
-Training and education
-Partnerships and Communication
CDD performs over 275 clinical diagnostic and surveillance tests in support of WDHS, Wisconsin clinical laboratories, other state and regional public health laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WSLH is a national or regional reference center, through work performed in CDD, for advanced molecular diagnostics as well as a number of pathogens of public health concern, such as Influenza, antimicrobial resistant organisms, vaccine-preventable diseases, and gastrointestinal pathogens (bacterial, parasitic and viral). CDD performs a wide breadth of moderate and high complexity testing and analyses in Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Bioinformatics and pre-and post-analytic support units (Customer Service, Specimen Receiving, Data/ Informatics and Clinical Orders). We invite you to become a part of this leading public health laboratory and world-class University with this important position in bioinformatics.

Responsibilities:
Contributes to a research agenda set by a lead researcher by preparing data sets, analyzing them using data science techniques, and presenting the results. Works as part of a team under general supervision.

• 20% Prepares data sets for analysis including cleaning/quality assurance, transformations, restructuring, and integration of multiple data sources
• 20% Implements appropriate data science techniques under the guidance of other data scientists, statisticians, and/or other researchers to find data patterns and answer research questions chosen by the lead researcher including data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining
• 20% Organizes and automates project steps for data preparation and analysis
• 20% Composes and assembles reproducible workflows and reports to clearly articulate patterns to researchers and/or administrators
• 20% Documents approaches to address research questions

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Preferred
Master's Degree, preferred minimum

Qualifications:

Required:
- 1 - 2 years of experience working in a public health setting
- Experience in next generation sequencing (NGS) methods and bioinformatics analyses as applied to infectious diseases
- Knowledge of bioinformatics pipeline design and implementation.
- Proficiency with version control using Git
- Experience working with Python, BASH, and 1 other programming language.
Highly Desired:
- Knowledge of public health and clinical laboratory regulatory practices (College of American Pathologists / Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)
- Experience working with workflow languages like Nextflow or WDL.
- Proficiency working with tools and environments such as Docker and AWS

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $70,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications

Additional Information:

WSLH does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.
Work hours: 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday

How to Apply:

To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV, a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications relevant to the position, and a document listing contact information for three (3) references, including at least one supervisor.
If you have questions, you may email [email protected]  or call Dan Makovec, 608-890-1011.

Contact:

Dan Makovec
[email protected]
608-890-1011
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Data Scientist I(RE020)

Department(s):

A52-WI STATE LAB OF HYGIENE/CDD/MICROBIOLOGY

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

301005-AS

 
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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