Description
The Department of UCDNA in the Cumming School of Medicine is currently seeking a Full-time/Part-time Regular Data Scientist, Bioinformatics & Translational Data Science.
The Data Scientist, Bioinformatics & Translational Data Science is a leadership role within the Centre for Advanced Technologies (CAT), part of the Cumming School of Medicine, reporting to the Director, Strategic Platforms. This position oversees a team of bioinformatics professionals supporting multi-disciplinary research initiatives, including the Spatial Biology and Transcriptomics Platform.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Strategic Leadership and Innovation
- Lead the strategic direction of bioinformatics efforts within the Centre for Advanced Technologies (CAT), aligning initiatives with the broader goals of translational medicine, spatial biology, and precision health
- Spearhead the development and implementation of innovative computational pipelines, particularly those integrating machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and multi-modal omics data
- Oversee and contribute to the design of novel biomarker discovery frameworks, leveraging spatial transcriptomics, single-cell analysis, and other NGS platforms to identify predictive and therapeutic markers
- Stay abreast of developments in computational biology, spatial omics, and algorithmic modeling to ensure the platform remains at the forefront of technological advancement
Project Oversight and Scientific Execution
- Direct the planning, implementation, and completion of collaborative research projects from conceptual design through to final analysis, reporting, and knowledge translation
- Ensure computational workflows meet project-specific timelines, scientific standards, and contract obligations
- Lead integration and harmonization of data from diverse sources (e.g., internal experiments, public repositories, and clinical records), enabling multi-layered insights into disease biology and therapeutic mechanisms
- Coordinate with other platform managers and PIs to ensure cohesive planning across shared resources and institutional priorities
Team Leadership and Mentorship
- Supervise and mentor a team of professional staff, research associates, and trainees in bioinformatics and computational science
- Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular evaluations, and provide coaching to foster professional development and scientific growth
- Build team capacity in machine learning, statistical modeling, and data visualization, promoting excellence and accountability across the group
- Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and curiosity-driven culture aligned with academic values and research excellence
Data Governance, Quality Assurance, and Compliance
- Establish and enforce data quality assurance standards for computational pipelines, including accuracy, reproducibility, and scalability
- Develop and implement robust quality control frameworks, covering pre-processing, algorithmic integrity, and downstream interpretation
- Ensure compliance with ethical, legal, and institutional guidelines surrounding data privacy, security, and human subject research
- Promote FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and advocate for reproducibility and open science practices
Communication, Reporting, and Knowledge Dissemination
- Represent the Bioinformatics and Data Science team at internal strategy meetings and external academic and industry forums
- Deliver scientific presentations, write technical and executive summaries, and contribute to high-quality publications and funding proposals
- Collaborate with PIs and clinicians to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights that can drive hypothesis generation, grant success, or clinical application
- Develop data storytelling and visualization tools that enable researchers and stakeholders to intuitively explore complex biological patterns
Qualifications / Requirements:
- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of related research experience, experience as post-PhD in academia focusing on bioinformatics, genomics, or machine learning, is preferred but not necessary
- Proven leadership and team management experience, including supervising professional staff, research associates, and trainees
- Demonstrated project management expertise, managing multiple concurrent research projects with interdisciplinary teams
- In-depth knowledge of Spatial Omics technologies and applications
- Proficiency in at least one scripting language (Python, R)
- Experience with Linux/Unix environments and high-performance computing clusters
- Advanced expertise in NGS data analysis, multi-modal data integration, and algorithm development
- Excellent communication skills, with a record of presenting research and collaborating across diverse scientific disciplines
- Experience in budget management, resource planning, and operational oversight is considered an asset
Application Deadline: July 21, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
