Bioinformatics Software Engineer / Bioinformatics Software Engineeress

Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health

The position is located at the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health at ETH Zurich within the Laboratory of Food Systems Biotechnology, led by Prof. Dr. Nicholas Bokulich. The Bokulich laboratory specializes in developing advanced bioinformatics methods and software for microbiome research, including QIIME 2. These innovative tools are utilized to explore the complex interactions between microbiomes, foods, and human health.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced bioinformatics software engineer to contribute to the development of the microbiome bioinformatics platform QIIME 2, as well as related bioinformatics tools. The successful applicant will create bioinformatics software for the analysis and integration of microbiome and other omics datasets, focusing on microbial communities related to food and human health.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Python programming for bioinformatics software development, experience in collaborative development on GitHub, and a capability to work closely with a team of interdisciplinary scientists and engineers to produce and implement open-source software across various research topics.

Key Qualifications

• Master's degree or bachelor's degree plus equivalent experience in computer science, data science, electrical engineering, computational biology, or other relevant fields
• Proficient in Python programming and experienced in software development/engineering
• Demonstrated experience in developing open-source bioinformatics software
• Experience in collaborative software development using Git and GitHub
• Familiarity with developing and implementing GitHub Actions workflows
• Excellent interpersonal communication, teamwork, and organizational skills
• Proficient in English (spoken and written) for effective communication with colleagues and collaborators

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with QIIME 2
• Knowledge of biological data structures and formats
• Experience working with microbiome (marker gene, metagenome) or other omics data
• Experience with the conda and conda-build ecosystem
• Familiarity with software containerization (Docker, Singularity)
• Experience working in high-performance computing environments

Your Career with Impact

Join ETH Zurich and become part of an institution that not only supports your professional development but also actively contributes to positive societal changes. We are committed to fostering a sustainable and climate-neutral university environment. As part of our team, you can expect a variety of benefits, including public transport season tickets, car sharing options, a broad selection of sports activities offered by ASVZ, childcare support, and attractive pension benefits.

Application Process

Apply online using the form below. We look forward to receiving your application, which should include:

• An updated curriculum vitae detailing your publications, education, and any relevant software development experience
• Contact information for 2-3 professional references

Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Contact Information

For further information about the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health, please visit our website. For inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Michal Ziemski at michal.ziemski@hest.ethz.ch (applications will not be accepted via email).