Bioinformatician A

Job Description Summary

The Kaestner Lab (Dept. of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania) is seeking a meticulous and technically skilled Bioinformatician to oversee the organization, storage, retrieval, and long-term preservation of large-scale bioinformatics datasets.
This position ensures that genomic, transcriptomic (bulk, single cell, spatial), and other high-throughput biological data (including images) are securely managed, efficiently stored and retrieved, and cost-effectively archived-supporting the University's mission of open, reproducible, and sustainable data-driven research.

Job Responsibilities

• Data Organization: Design, implement, and maintain structured file systems, standardized naming conventions, and metadata schemas for bioinformatics data (e.g., NGS, imaging). This includes managing our in-house database for record keeping.
• Access & Security: Manage access permissions, version control, and audit trails across HPC, local servers, tape, and cloud platforms.
• Cloud & Archival Storage: Administer tape- and cloud-based storage environments (AWS S3, Dropbox, Box, institutional repositories) and coordinate archival and retrieval strategies.
• Cost Monitoring & Optimization: Track and analyze storage utilization and expenses across on-premises, tape, and cloud systems; develop policies to optimize resource allocation and reduce costs.
• Data Integrity & Backup: Ensure redundancy, perform integrity checks, and manage automated backup processes.
• Data Transfers: Perform secure data transfers to and from public repositories (such as dbGaP, SRA) following institutional and funding agency's mandated policies.
• Documentation & Training: Maintain comprehensive documentation of file structures, workflows, and storage protocols; train researchers on best practices for data management and archival.
• Collaboration: Work closely with IT, research computing teams, and PIs to align storage strategies with project and compliance requirements (e.g., NIH, NSF).
• Preprocessing Pipelines: Execute predefined preprocessing or quality control pipelines (e.g., FASTQ QC, format conversion, alignment) on high-throughput datasets using HPC or cloud workflows.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science and 3 to 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Position is contingent upon continued funding.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Perelman School of Medicine

Pay Range

$57,500.00 - $77,716.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/Smilow-Center-for-Translational/Bioinformatician-A_JR00119445-1