Bioinformatician / Bioinformaticienne

Job Opportunity: Bioinformatician at the Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich

The Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich invites applications for a Bioinformatician embedded in the Microbiome Research Lab. We are seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and organized individual to support multiple experimental and computational research groups. The successful candidate will contribute to both a collaborative research network and institute-wide activities, including data management and the maintenance of computational infrastructure and software.

About the Position

This position is part of the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich and is closely linked to projects within the NCCR Microbiomes, a nationwide, interdisciplinary research program dedicated to understanding and engineering the structure, function, and dynamics of microbiomes across diverse biological and environmental systems.

The Bioinformatician will play a central role in supporting collaborative research projects across the network through advanced data analysis, interpretation, and visualization using reproducible computational workflows. Additionally, this position supports institute-wide bioinformatics activities, enabling efficient and sustainable microbiome research.

Key Responsibilities

• Support research projects of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers by advising on bioinformatics, biostatistics, and modeling approaches.
• Perform and assist in the analysis, integration, and visualization of multi-omics data.
• Collaborate on study design, data interpretation, and the development of reproducible computational workflows.
• Support research data management, including data organization, storage, and documentation.
• Contribute to the maintenance and further development of shared computational and IT infrastructure.
• Train Institute of Microbiology members in bioinformatics and computational biology through consultations and organized training sessions.
• Develop and maintain bioinformatics tools, pipelines, and methods for biological data analysis.

The position is project-based and initially offered for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on project duration and funding.

Qualifications

We welcome applications from recent MSc graduates as well as candidates with a PhD or several years of relevant professional experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field. The ideal candidate should possess:

• A solid background in bioinformatics and/or computational biology.
• Strong organizational skills, able to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Programming skills in one or more relevant languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
• Experience with the analysis of omics data.
• Familiarity with Linux-based computing environments; experience with high-performance computing is a plus.
• Knowledge of reproducible research practices, including workflow management and version control (e.g., Git).

Additional Skills (Depending on Experience)

• Experience in data management and submission to public repositories.
• Experience in maintaining bioinformatics pipelines 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

Joining the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich offers a stimulating research environment, access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure, and opportunities for professional development. Key benefits include:

• A collaborative and inclusive working environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement.
• Support for participation in scientific meetings and training activities.
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with ETH Zurich regulations.
• Flexible working schedule to accommodate personal needs.

Application Process

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Further Information

For more details about the workplace and the NCCR Microbiomes, please visit the websites associated with the Microbiome Research Lab.

For inquiries regarding the position (no applications), please contact:

• Prof. Shinichi Sunagawa: ssunagawa@ethz.ch
• Dr. Hans-Joachim Ruscheweyh: hansr@ethz.ch
• Dr. Anna Sintsova: ansintsova@biol.ethz.ch

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