Bioinformatician (m/f/div)

The Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in the center of Berlin is one of 84 research institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. The institute is one of the world’s leading institutions for basic research in the field of infectious diseases.

Within the interdisciplinary “Malaria parasite biology” group, led by Dr. Silvia Portugal, we are actively seeking a

Bioinformatician (m/f/div)
Full time

Our team works with partners across Sub-Saharan Africa to collect and analyze genomic data about antimalarial drug resistance, diagnostic test evasion, vaccine target evolution, and other factors influencing malaria control. To support this, we develop novel software and statistical models for genomic data analysis, as well as integrate existing state-of-the-art tools within routine analysis pipelines. For more details see our recent publication (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45688-z). You will be part of an international and multidisciplinary team. Within the group, you will work most closely with Dr. Jason Hendry.

Your area of responsibility

• Develop, deploy, and maintain bioinformatics pipelines to process malaria genomic data
• Support capacity building of international partners in bioinformatics and genomic analyses (international travel possible)
• Collaboration in a highly dynamic research team investigating Plasmodium parasite biology in a range of control and elimination settings using nanopore sequencing
• Maintaining software repositories and developing user and training documentation
• Additional responsibilities including software development or statistical modelling can be tailored depending on applicants’ interest

What you bring with you

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in computer science, bioinformatics, or a related field
• Strong programming skills in at least one of Python or R
• Experience developing bioinformatics pipelines and performing in-depth analyses of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data
• Experience with version control software Git, Unix environments, Shell scripting, and high-performance computing
• High sense of responsibility and organizational talent
• Quick comprehension and open-mindedness for new challenges and techniques
• Committed team player, communicative, supportive, and work neatly and conscientiously even under heavy workloads
• Good English skills are essential for smooth communication in an international environment; French proficiency helpful but not required

What we offer:

• A diversified and challenging position in an international research team
• Independent and at the same time team-oriented work
• Compensation with all public service benefits under the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD Bund) depending on qualification and transfer of tasks up to pay group 13 TVöD
• Supplementary old-age provision by the Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder (Federal and State Pension Fund)
• A discounted job ticket can be purchased
• Variable working hours with flexible options

The position will start on March 1, 2025, although a flexible start date can be negotiated. The current project runs until November 1, 2026 (20 months).

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. The Max Planck Society is also committed to employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled people are expressly encouraged.

Applications for this position will only be accepted via our online application portal. If you are interested, please apply by January 10, 2025, using the following link: https://recruitingapp-5133.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/477/Application/New/2?lang=eng.