Senior Software Engineer

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a Genomics Institute staff position. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

THIS RECRUITMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 07-31-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz is unique among public engineering schools. Founded in 1997, in the age of the internet, the Baskin Engineering community is deeply committed to addressing the most important engineering challenges posed by our modern world. Faculty and students pursue novel, visionary research guided by a mission to create positive societal impact. Through future-looking programs of study and opportunities to engage in collaborative research across campus and with industry partners in Santa Cruz and nearby Silicon Valley, Baskin engineers are developing meaningful innovations that improve the lives of people and the health of our planet.

In addition to the scenic residential campus in Santa Cruz, the Westside Research Park hosts genomics and electrical and computer engineering labs and interdisciplinary research. Our Silicon Valley campus is home to faculty, graduate students, and professional master's programs with deep connections to this world-renowned hub for research and innovation.

We champion new ideas, foster collaboration, and uphold the UCSC Principles of Community.

More information about Baskin Engineering can be found at: https://engineering.ucsc.edu/

The Genomics Institute (GI), an Organized Research Unit located within the Baskin School of Engineering, with faculty from several divisions on campus, leads UC Santa Cruz's efforts to unlock the world's genomic data and accelerate breakthroughs in health and evolutionary biology. With the theme of Genomics for Everybody, GI platforms, technologies, and researchers unite global communities to create and deploy data-driven, life-saving treatments and innovative environmental and conservation efforts, while addressing the most fundamental societal and policy questions. The Genomics Institute is committed to broadening participation in this endeavor and bringing the benefits of genomics to the widest range of world populations and ecosystems.

The Genomics Institute's operating budget is currently $31M per year, comprising $26M in sponsored funds from federal, state, and private sources and $4.7M in gifts and institutional funding, and is on a trajectory of increasing activity, partnerships, and extramural funding.

More information about the Genomics Institute can be found at: https://genomics.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Software Engineer develops and applies computational tools to analyze and interpret various research data, including biological data. This work involves utilizing and refining algorithms, computational techniques, and statistical methodologies. Additionally, the incumbent addresses end-user requirements in database searching and integration, along with the maintenance of computational infrastructure, tracking the flow of samples and information for large-scale studies. The Senior Software Engineer provides web-based bioinformatics solutions and facilitates access to both public and proprietary databases.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $106,000 - $109,392/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Contract appointment

Job End Date: 7/31/2026, with possibility of extension

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 009401 (BIOINFORMATICS PROGR 3) - Grade 24

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

25% - Bioinformatics

• Applies complex bioinformatics concepts to design, develop, modify, debug, and evaluate software programs and web tools.
• Implements workflows for submitting consensus genomes to analysis tools.

25% - Software Development

• Performs complex data modeling.
• Tests performance and integration.
• Builds user interfaces for a variety of internal and external constituents.

25% - Bioinformatics Web Development

• Develops, implements, and maintains web interfaces to share and display bioinformatics analysis and content with collaborators and other users.

15% - Systems Analysis

• Analyzes existing programs and works to formulate logic for new systems.
• Devises logic procedures, flowcharts, data analysis, codes, and tests.
• Debugs programs.
• Implements tools for streamlining pairing of metadata with sequences for visualization.

5% - Algorithm Development

• Conducts bioinformatics programming and testing of new algorithms that interact with other related databases.
• Performs quality review to ensure submission of sequences to repositories.

5% - System Architecture

• Recommends and implements changes in development and maintenance, and sets system standards for analysis algorithms, tools, and infrastructure.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics methods, applications programming, web development, and data structures.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics programming design, modification, and implementation.
• Familiarity with relational databases, web interfaces, and various operating systems.
• In-depth knowledge of modern biology and relevant research fields.
• Strong project management capabilities.
• Demonstrated problem-solving aptitude.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with technical and non-technical personnel across different expertise areas and organizational levels.
• Skills for regular interfacing with management.
• Ability to function as a productive team member.
• Self-motivation and capacity to work independently.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Quick learning ability.
• Thorough grasp of web, application, and data security concepts and methodologies.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.