Special Information

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

About the Department/College

The Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is recruiting for a highly skilled, dynamic individual to join their team as a Data Scientist Intermediate in the Caporaso Lab. PMI is a security sensitive environment and as such a cleared background check and fingerprinting is required.

About the Position

Responsible for analyzing, storing, and managing microbiome and other genomics-based research data, including statistical analysis, informatics, and software design. Obtains, organizes, analyzes, and transforms big data into findings through statistical data analysis. Utilizes computer and data science concepts, computational research, and development principles to contribute to research objectives. Presents data through the use of visual representations to members of the Caporaso Lab team as well as our collaborators and clients including non-technology professionals.

Responsibilities Include

50% - Microbiome and Metagenome Data Analysis

• Carry out end-to-end analysis of microbiome, metagenome, and other genomics-based data, including data management and communication of results, using QIIME 2 and related biological data science tools.

20% - Research Software Testing and Engineering

• Perform user testing and code reviews of new biological data science tools developed in the Caporaso Lab.
• Contribute to the development of these tools and data analysis needs require the development of new functionality.

15% - Support and Education

• Serve as a moderator on the QIIME 2 Forum, providing advice and technical support to our user community.
• Co-teach educational workshops on QIIME 2 and related tools online and in-person.

10% - Administrative

• Assist with the development of grant proposals and reports (e.g., through the generation of figures and other content).
• Assist with the management of projects.

5% - Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.
• 2 years of research support experience.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in bioinformatics or related discipline.
• Experience with microbiome and metagenome analysis tools, including QIIME 2 and MOSHPIT.
• Experience with development, optimization, and troubleshooting of analysis workflows for microbiome and metagenome data research projects, ideally demonstrated through publications.
• Experience with the development of software tools (e.g., QIIME 2 plugins) for microbiome and metagenome data research, ideally demonstrated through publications.
• Experience teaching biological data science tools.
• Experience providing technical support for biological data science tools.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of statistical concepts and calculations.
• Knowledge of machine-learning and data mining.
• Knowledge of cloud computing and data warehousing.

Skills

• Proficiency with statistical analysis and big data tools.
• Proficiency with data related software development technologies.
• Customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Abilities

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively, including the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Compensation

Salary range begins at $77,871. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.