Join the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich
The Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich is seeking a highly motivated and organized Bioinformatician to join our Microbiome Research Lab. This role will provide valuable support to various experimental and computational research groups, contributing to both a collaborative research network and the overall activities of the institute, which include data management and maintenance of computational infrastructure and software.
Position Overview
This position is linked to projects within the NCCR Microbiomes, a nationwide interdisciplinary research program aimed at understanding and engineering microbiome structures, functions, and dynamics across diverse biological and environmental systems.
The Bioinformatician will play a central role in facilitating collaborative research projects across the network by performing advanced data analysis, interpretation, and visualization using reproducible computational workflows. This position will support institute-wide bioinformatics actions, ensuring efficient and sustainable microbiome research through the management of data and shared computational resources.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and contribute to research projects of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at the Institute of Microbiology by applying and advising on bioinformatics, biostatistics, and modeling approaches.
- Perform and support the analysis, integration, and visualization of multi-omics data, including genomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
- Collaborate with both experimental and computational researchers on study design, data interpretation, and the development of reproducible computational workflows.
- Manage research data, including organization, storage, documentation, and submission to relevant repositories.
- Contribute to the maintenance and further development of shared computational and IT infrastructure in collaboration with IT staff and senior bioinformaticians.
- Facilitate training for Institute of Microbiology members in bioinformatics and computational biology through individual consultations and organization of workshops, with experienced candidates encouraged to lead these initiatives.
- Develop and maintain bioinformatics tools, pipelines, and methods for biological data analysis, with experienced candidates invited to initiate and lead method development projects.
Qualifications
We welcome applications from recent MSc graduates as well as candidates with a PhD and/or several years of relevant professional experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field. The ideal candidate is expected to possess the following:
- A solid background in bioinformatics and/or computational biology, with experience in biological data analysis.
- Strong organizational skills and the capability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, while working both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Programming skills in one or more relevant languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
- Experience with the analysis of omics data; familiarity with additional data types is an advantage.
- Comfort with Linux-based computing environments; experience with high-performance computing (HPC) systems is a plus.
- Knowledge of reproducible research practices, including workflow management and version control (e.g., Git).
Depending on experience, the candidate may also demonstrate:
- Experience in data management and submission to public repositories.
- Experience in maintaining bioinformatics pipelines, software environments, or computational infrastructure.
- Experience in training or mentoring students and researchers in bioinformatics or computational biology.
- Initiative in developing bioinformatics tools, methods, or workflows.
What We Offer
- A stimulating research environment at one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology.
- Integration into a prominent interdisciplinary research network, including close collaboration with the NCCR Microbiomes.
- A collaborative and inclusive working environment with researchers from diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds.
- Access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and bioinformatics resources.
- Opportunities for professional development, skills training, and career advancement, with responsibilities tailored to experience.
- Support for participation in scientific meetings, workshops, and training activities.
- Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with ETH Zurich regulations.
- A flexible working schedule that accommodates personal needs.
We foster a culture of collaboration, diversity, and inclusivity, where every individual feels valued and supported.
Application Process
To express your interest in this position, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further inquiries regarding this position (no applications), please contact Prof. Shinichi Sunagawa at ssunagawa@ethz.ch, Dr. Hans-Joachim Ruscheweyh at hansr@ethz.ch, or Dr. Anna Sintsova at ansintsova@biol.ethz.ch.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please note that only applications submitted through our online application portal will be considered.
For recruitment services, the General Terms and Conditions of ETH Zurich apply.