Cloud Engineer / Bioinformatician

Reference number: 2024-0353

• Heidelberg
• Full-time
• German Human Genome-Phenome Archive

“Research for a life without cancer" is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of biomedical research and contributing to the understanding of human health on a global scale? The German Human Genome-Phenome Archive (GHGA) is seeking a motivated individual to join our team at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg as a

  The German Human Genome-Phenome Archive (GHGA) is part of the national program for research data infrastructures (NFDI). The position provides an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of bioinformatics, cloud engineering, and global health data initiatives, contributing to impactful projects with high societal value. The role will also contribute to Trusted Research Environment (TRE) efforts in collaboration with the NAKO Health Study, Germany’s largest cohort research initiative.

The activities are closely coordinated with leading international initiatives and networks, such as the European Genomics Data Infrastructure (GDI), and the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH). This infrastructure will support genomics data hubs with software tools for secure storage, interactive data portals with data visualization, and streamlined data deposition and acquisition solutions. The GHGA main office, which is coordinated by Prof. Oliver Stegle (Division of Computational Genomics and Systems Genetics), is located at DKFZ in close coordination with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL, Prof. Jan Korbel).

As GHGA grows and matures, we look forward to extending its functionality from an archive to a batteries-included research platform for the next generation of omics research. We are looking for a software developer to help us succeed in this push. The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary research and data management team developing and applying a diverse range of state-of-the-art methodology to implement and maintain bioinformatics workflows in a cloud compute environment. The role will involve close cooperation with other partners in the GHGA network, as well as international networks and initiatives.

Your Tasks

• Design and develop cloud-based software architectures
• Workflow development and maintenance of omics data
• Improvement of bioinformatics workflows with respect to performance and stability
• Testing / benchmarking workflows with cloud deployments
• Development of cloud images for (human) bioinformatics
• Develop, test, and maintain genomics web services in accordance with GA4GH standards
• Collaboration with local and international scientific software developers

We offer the opportunity to help shape one of the most important emerging scientific data infrastructures for the storage and exchange of omics data in Germany.

Your Profile

• PhD in computer science, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, computational biology or a similar background with a focus on bioinformatics or data science; alternatively MSc or equivalent qualification with complementary years of relevant experience 
• Proficiency and hands-on experience in running and building DNA, RNA and other omics data analysis pipelines including QC steps using workflow languages (Nextflow or Snakemake)
• Familiarity with Git version control system
• Experience with one or more of these software technologies: containers (like Docker or Singularity), package managers, and parallel computing / HPC
• Familiarity with deployments on public cloud providers (Azure, AWS, GCP, ..) or OpenStack
• Proficiency with UNIX-based systems and relevant programming languages such as Python or R  is a prerequisite 
• Expertise in software development and cloud computing is beneficial 

The ideal applicant should have demonstrated the ability to work independently and creatively. The candidate should have excellent communication skills and be able to articulate clearly the technical needs, set clear goals, and work within an interdisciplinary setting, communicating with other partners.

Your possibilities

• Shape one of Germany’s most important scientific data infrastructures
• Contribute to interdisciplinary efforts, bridging cutting-edge research with clinical applications
• Get exposed to a plethora of fields ranging from AI-guided clinical decision-making to modern web development technologies 
• Work with an interdisciplinary team of experts bringing state-of-the-art biomedical research closer to clinics and patients 
• Take part in  international organizations such as the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), the European Genome Phenome Archive (EGA) and ELIXIR shaping the future of genomics across borders 
• Widen your expertise with extensive possibilities of training programs, seminars and conferences 

We Offer

Are you interested?

 Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!

 ​Duration: The position is initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of prolongation.

Application Deadline: 10.01.2025

Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.

 

We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.

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