Bioinformatician Position at the Institute of Microbiology
The Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and organized Bioinformatician to join our Microbiome Research Lab. The successful candidate will support multiple experimental and computational research groups, contribute to collaborative research networks, and partake in institute-wide activities, including data management and the maintenance of computational infrastructure and software.
This position is part of the NCCR Microbiomes, a nationwide, interdisciplinary research program that unites experimental and computational researchers aiming to understand and engineer the structure, function, and dynamics of microbiomes across diverse biological and environmental systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and contribute to research projects led by PhD students and postdoctoral researchers by applying and advising on relevant bioinformatics, biostatistics, and modeling approaches.
- Perform and assist in the analysis, integration, and visualization of multi-omics data (e.g., genomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging data).
- Collaborate with 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 enhancement of shared computational and IT infrastructure in collaboration with the IT staff and senior bioinformaticians.
- Support the training of Institute members in bioinformatics and computational biology through individual consultations and the organization of workshops; experienced candidates may lead these activities.
- Develop and maintain bioinformatics tools, pipelines, and methods for biological data analysis; experienced candidates are encouraged to initiate and lead method development projects.
Qualifications
We welcome individuals with a recent MSc or PhD, as well as those with several years of 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, with experience in analyzing biological data.
- Strong organizational skills, capable of managing multiple tasks and working both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Proficiency in programming languages relevant to bioinformatics (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
- Experience analyzing omics data (e.g., genomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics); familiarity with additional data types is advantageous.
- Proficiency in 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 the level of experience, additional skills may include:
- Experience in data management and submission to public repositories.
- Experience maintaining bioinformatics pipelines, software environments, or computational infrastructure.
- Experience training or mentoring students and researchers in bioinformatics or computational biology.
- Initiative in developing bioinformatics tools, methods, or workflows.
What We Offer
You will be part of a stimulating research environment at the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich, recognized globally for excellence in science and technology. We provide:
- Integration into an internationally visible, interdisciplinary research network, including interaction 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, tailored to experience and career stage.
- Support for participation in scientific meetings, workshops, and training activities.
- A 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, ensuring everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.
To join us, apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further information about the workplace and the NCCR Microbiomes, please visit our websites and the Microbiome Research Lab group webpage.
If you have questions regarding the position (no applications), you may contact:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For recruitment services, the GTC of ETH Zurich apply.