Senior Scientific Manager HGI

Ref: 80864
Salary range: £36,672 to £48,459 pa dependent on experience. 
Closing Date: 5th May 2011.

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a world leader in genomic research, with an expanding scientific programme dedicated to understanding gene function in health & disease.

We are looking for someone to lead the Human Genetics Informatics team at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. The role would involve direct line management of a team of three analytical software developers to deliver on research informatics support for the Human Genetics faculty.

The HGI team is the interface between Sanger's large scale genomic data pipelines and the dozen independent human genetic faculty groups. It serves to enable cutting edge genomic research by ensuring access to high quality, rapid analyses used by many different groups. Both pipeline development around existing methods (including quality control, troubleshooting and optimization), as potential novel methodological approaches will be supported. Specific tasks at the present (which will change over time) include genotype calling from genome-wide SNP arrays, application of genotype imputation methods and calling and annotation of whole-exome and whole-genome sequence datasets.

The role will involve working with faculty members to set priorities and provide accurate timescales for delivering analytical outputs. The team leader will be responsible for translating the work of the three team members into these agreed goals and timelines. The team leader will also be expected to contribute to coding projects, and work hands-on with team members to develop, debug and optimize their code. Long term HGI strategy will be developed by the team leader and Human Genetics faculty members.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience programming in both scripting languages (e.g. Perl, Python, Ruby) and compiled languages (e.g. C, C++, Java)


• Advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in quantitative field (e.g. computer science, bioinformatics, etc) or equivalent experience


• Intimate knowledge of UNIX based operating systems


• Detailed knowledge of core computer science concepts (e.g. object oriented design, memory management, algorithm implementation) and practices (e.g. version control, agile development, extreme programming).


• Knowledge of intermediate statistical concepts (e.g. regression analyses, hidden markov models, markov chain monte carlo, Bayesian inference) and ability to apply them to analysis problems


• Excellent communication skills, including written and spoken English and ability to comprehend and implement workflow specifications


• Attention to detail and ability to work to tight timelines


• Experience with project management and delivering medium to large scale software projects on time and to a high standard


• Ability to communicate clearly with several end-users, providing realistic expectations about timelines and deliverables


• Experience of all phases of software development for large-scale analytical pipelines, including analytical programming, scripting and code review.


• Experience of dealing with rapidly changing priorities.


• Experience of managing/supervising IT staff

Ideal Skills

• Experience in genetics, bioinformatics or a related field


• Experience in an academic software development environment


• Experience with large scale data analysis (involving hundreds of gigabytes or more) using distributed computing clusters


• Experience managing software teams


• Conversant in genomic research


• Strong record of academic publications

Benefits
The Institute has excellent purpose built facilities on the Genome Campus, Hinxton on the outskirts of Cambridge. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits including a final salary pension scheme and excellent on-site facilities. Further details can be found on our website https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk,

To submit your CV and apply for this job please go to https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk, to register and apply on line.