The Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging (ELCHA) at UBC The University of British Columbia is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Canadian Microbiome Mapping Initiative (CMMI). The primary goal is to develop an integrated multi-‘omics platform to investigate how the microbiome influences health and disease. You will serve as a data manager to liaise between data generation and database development teams, facilitating the integration, analysis, and interpretation of complex datasets.
What You'll Do
- Design, develop, implement, and maintain reproducible multi-omics data integration pipelines, including data processing, harmonization, and statistical analysis workflows.
- Lead technical data activities across laboratories and omics groups; work with investigators, bioinformaticians, and technicians to identify available data and analytical needs; and translate these into technical specifications for database and infrastructure development.
- Perform quality control and ensure the integrity of research datasets, collaborating with contributing laboratories to resolve technical issues.
- Provide expert guidance on analytical strategy, model selection, and integration approaches across multi-omics datasets.
- Conduct statistical, bioinformatics, and AI/ML-based analyses to interpret relationships between datasets, health, and disease.
- Evaluate and implement tools and software for data analysis, visualization, and integration.
- Serve as a technical data partner, assisting investigators, trainees, and staff with data processing, analysis, and workflow implementation.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation, including pipeline workflows, algorithms, QC procedures, and SOPs to ensure reproducibility.
- Communicate technical progress, analytical findings, and workflow updates to collaborators through meetings, presentations, and contributions to manuscripts.
- Lead the preparation of manuscripts, abstracts, and technical sections of grant applications, and contribute to study-level interpretation of findings.
- Present research findings at conferences, seminars, and other scientific meetings.
- Identify opportunities to improve or extend analytical pipelines and integration methods as the project evolves.
What We're Looking For
- PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics, computer science, or a closely related field.
- 2–5 years of relevant post-doctoral or equivalent experience in bioinformatics, multi-omics integration, or computational analysis.
- Experience with automated pipeline development, multi-omics dataset integration, and reproducible workflows.
- Advanced proficiency in R, Unix/Linux environments, databases, and version control (Git).
- Experience with AI/ML applications for data analysis.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and collaborate.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with colleagues and the researcher community.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Nice to Have
- Experience with high-performance or cluster computing.
- Experience producing reusable software packages or analytical pipelines.
- Familiarity with visualization and interactive tools (RShiny, Plotly, Power BI).
- Knowledge of molecular and cellular biology.
Technical Stack
- R
- Unix/Linux
- Git
- AI/ML
- RShiny
- Plotly
- Power BI
Team & Environment
You will work under the scientific and technical guidance of the CMMI Data Integration and Analysis Committee (Dr. Raymond Ng, Dr. Emilia Lim, and Dr. Keegan Korthauer), and alongside the CMMI Project Manager for day-to-day operations, prioritization, and project delivery. The role involves close collaboration with CMMI investigators, bioinformaticians, laboratory personnel, and research staff.
Benefits & Compensation
- Salary range: $65,000 - $75,000 per annum
- Benefits package
Work Mode
This position offers a hybrid work mode, with time spent on the UBC Vancouver campus.
UBC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
