Sequencing and AI Research Scientist

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The Ismagilov Lab at Caltech is hiring a full-time Sequencing and AI Research Scientist for a 1-year term position. Reporting to Professor Rustem Ismagilov, the successful candidate will work full-time to support an ambitious DARPA BTO project to overcome the ubiquitous noise and scale limitations of using biological sequencing data for artificial intelligence (AI) training and inference. The successful candidate will have strong experience with integrating wet-lab and dry-lab approaches, including mathematical modeling, bioinformatics analyses, experimental design, and wet-lab implementation and improvement of sequencing experiments.

• Design, carry out, and/or modify experimental procedures; record observations, perform data analysis, interpret results, and report results to research team and PI.
• Design, develop, and implement novel models and algorithms.
• Design, develop, and implement novel quantitative sequencing assays (including modifying sample-preparation and library-preparation steps).
• Perform quality-control assessment and troubleshooting of human and microbial sequencing pipelines.
• Perform bioinformatic analyses, including microbial and human sequencing data.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and grant reports for funding agencies.
• Conduct literature research; provide scientific information for research (including grant) reports and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Provide leadership and/or guidance to students and support personnel.
• Collaborate with other research groups as needed to resolve technical problems.
• Follow lab procedures for maintaining a neat, detailed electronic lab notebook.
• Present research work at meetings/seminars and participate in lab discussions.

• PhD in the relevant areas of the Life Sciences (bioengineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or related field).
• Lab experience in designing and carrying out high-quality quantitative sequencing experiments.
• Strong quantitative and statistical skills.
• Strong experience performing mathematical modeling in Python.
• Strong prior experience performing quantitative analysis of sequencing data.
• Highly detail-oriented; must have prior experience performing sensitive experiments and using laboratory techniques.
• Must be able to use sound judgment to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and shift priorities, as well as take the initiative to effectively solve moderately complex problems.
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with all levels of staff.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.

• Prior experience handling regulated data and controlled unclassified information (CUI) such as human sequencing data.
• Prior experience generating and communicating novel technical ideas, demonstrated via preparing successful funding proposals and intellectually leading research projects.

• Resume