We are seeking a motivated **Junior Bioinformatician** to work with computational analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA), metagenomic sequencing data, and machine-learning approaches for biological and forensic applications.
The position involves analysing complex sequencing datasets to identify biological patterns and develop computational methods for classification and prediction. A particular focus will be the analysis of microbial and environmental DNA profiles and their application to geographic inference and forensic intelligence.
## Main responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Process and analyse environmental DNA (eDNA) and metagenomic sequencing datasets.
- Analyse microbial and other biological community profiles generated from environmental samples.
- Perform quality control, filtering, normalization, and feature selection of high-dimensional biological datasets.
- Apply statistical and machine-learning approaches to classification and prediction problems.
- Develop and evaluate computational models for geographic prediction from biological data.
- Analyse spatial patterns in biological communities and assess relationships between biological similarity and geographic distance.
- Evaluate model performance using appropriate validation and testing procedures.
- Work with large reference datasets containing biological and geographic information.
- Produce figures, tables, and statistical summaries of analytical results.
- Document computational workflows and contribute to scientific reports, presentations, and manuscripts.
- Work collaboratively with researchers in bioinformatics, molecular biology, environmental genomics, and forensic science.
## Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A Master's degree, or be close to completing a Master's degree, in **Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology**, or a closely related discipline.
- Experience analysing DNA sequencing or other high-dimensional biological data.
- Experience with **Python and/or R** for data analysis.
- Basic knowledge of machine learning and statistical modelling.
- Experience working with biological community, microbiome, metagenomic, or environmental DNA data.
- Ability to work with large datasets and develop reproducible computational analyses.
- Good written and spoken English.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
## Meritorious qualifications
Experience in one or more of the following is considered an advantage:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) or metagenomics.
- Microbiome or microbial community analysis.
- Machine-learning methods for classification, prediction, or geolocation.
- Spatial analysis or geographic modelling.
- Feature selection and dimensionality reduction for high-dimensional sequencing data.
- Analysis of environmental or forensic biological samples.
- Linux and command-line bioinformatics.
- Development or evaluation of computational bioinformatics pipelines.
## About the position
This is a junior position intended for a recent Master's graduate or an applicant at an equivalent early-career stage. The position provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of **bioinformatics, environmental genomics, machine learning, and forensic science**, with an emphasis on translating biological sequencing data into practical predictive tools.
We are looking for someone who combines strong analytical skills with curiosity, independence, and an interest in developing computational approaches to challenging biological problems.
SSYK 2131 or 2511