Bioinformatician to push Whole Genome Sequencing forward in Asia - DTU Food

Do you have experience with whole genome sequencing (WGS) data quality control and analysis from bacterial isolates? Are you also interested in helping low and middle-income countries scale up genomics for antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? The Research Group for Global Capacity Building (GloCaB) is looking for an experienced bioinformatician to join our team working with WGS capacity building in Asia. 

The job
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Bioinformatician to have a leading technical role in the new UK Aid, Fleming Fund-funded development project SeqAsia, aimed at establishing a regional hub for WGS-based AMR surveillance in Asia. The project focuses on strengthening capacities of selected laboratories within the region to become regional reference centers and sentinel sites, whilst also increasing general access to basic WGS training across the region. The successful candidate will lead efforts in bioinformatics and capacity building contributing to a regional AMR surveillance system. The project will be executed in close collaboration with the esteemed Peter Doherty Institute, Australia. 

Key Responsibilities
As our bioinformatician, you will be the primary bioinformatics expert for two regional reference centers, conducting baseline assessments and tailored training programs for the sites. Together with an international technical team, you will provide ongoing bioinformatic and technical support to the reference centers, assisting with WGS workflows and pipelines, troubleshooting technical challenges and genomic analysis, including AMR determinants and cluster detection. Tasks will include genomics data processing, data interpretation, dissemination, and isolate selection. Automating routine WGS data processing for laboratories will also be a key part of your role.

Parallel to the support for the regional reference centers, you will develop and deliver both basic and advanced bioinformatics training to laboratories across the region. Efforts include support to the regional reference centers providing training to sentinel sites and designing online training series to raise awareness about the importance of WGS for AMR surveillance, fostering regional engagement and capacity growth. 

What we expect from you
As our new team member, you have proven expertise in bioinformatics and experience working with WGS data for AMR surveillance and/or genomic epidemiology. Experience translating complex data into policy-relevant information is a plus, just like previous experience with training and capacity-building initiatives, particularly providing bioinformatics support to non-bioinformaticians, is a strong advantage. 

You thrive in a work environment that requires you to work independently and proactively, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team, navigating challenges with a positive, solution-driven mindset. You value working with development and capacity building efforts and can plan and execute complex tasks according to formal requirements and timelines. You are able to break down complex information into accessible and easily understandable formats. You exhibit excellent interpersonal skills and will prioritize regular communication within the laboratory networks, as well as within the larger international and cross-disciplinary environment. Due to the nature of the work, you are able and willingness to travel for on-site trainings etc. 

Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in bioinformatics or equivalent.
• Excellent in English, oral and written. 
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficient working in a Unix Environment.
• Experience working on or setting up High Performance Computing clusters.
• Proficient in relevant bioinformatics tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
• Experience with training others in bioinformatics and WGS data analysis.
• Experience in providing bioinformatics support to non-bioinformaticians.
• In depth understanding of short- and long-read sequencing workflows.
• Proven experience in WGS data analysis and interpretation, particular in the field of AMR, bacterial typing and cluster analysis.
• Proven experience working with both short- and long-read data is a plus.
• Experience in coding pipelines to automate quality control and downstream analyses of high-throughput sequencing data, using a workflow management system like Nextflow/Snakemake etc is a plus. 
• Familiarity with AMR surveillance systems and public health initiatives.
• Previous experience in capacity-building projects, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is advantageous.

What we offer in return
At GloCaB, we engage in global collaborations with researchers, clinicians, veterinarians, and food laboratories, providing support in areas such as WGS, genomic analysis, and AMR expertise. We are dedicated to building capacity for AMR surveillance in multiple low- and middle-income countries.

As a recognized reference laboratory for AMR by the EU, WHO, and FAO, we offer a range of services including advisory support and capacity building for national reference laboratories, authorities, and international institutions. Our work includes the verification of phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as the implementation of external quality assurance (EQA) and genomic proficiency test (GPT) schemes.

You can read more about the Institute at www.food.dtu.dk and about the research group at www.food.dtu.dk/english/research/global-capacity-building 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

We offer a full-time position starting on 1 January 2025 or sooner, if possible. 

The employment runs for the duration of the project, currently until December 2025.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus, Building 204, Henrik Dams Alle, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby.

Further information 
Further information on the position may be obtained from Professor Rene S. Hendriksen on +45 2245 0763.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 3 December 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc)

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.