Senior Data Scientist (Epigenetics)

Job Description

About Mitra bio

Mitra bio is a dynamic start-up baked by Khosla Ventures, Illumina and Oxford University looking to disrupt the skincare industry through data. Mitra is developing a skin longevity platform powered by non-invasive sampling and epigenetics to enhance diagnostics and personalized treatments for the skin.

The Role

You will be working on cutting edge omics studies to advance skin diagnostics and discovery of novel treatments. Your work will translate into an impactful product in the hands of the consumer. In this customer focused and technically savvy role, you will deliver data science solutions for Next Sequencing with a focus on DNA methylation. You will work in a multi-disciplinary team and will have the opportunity to be involved in strategy to develop bespoke methodologies and ML/AI algorithms for diagnostics and prediction tool development.

The Responsibilities:

1. Build and optimize deep learning models for biological determination and disease stratification based on large datasets of epigenetic data;
2. Build ML/AI models to predict skin phenotypes from epigenetics and comprehensive metadata/clinical endpoints;
3. Work with the data team to incorporate other omics into the prediction models to improve accuracy;
4. Work with the engineering team to incorporate your models into valuable products;
5. Work on the AWS infrastructure (data storage, analysis pipelines, compute nodes and AWS specific user/role/resource permissions);
6. Manage multiple projects simultaneously and complete projects in a timely & reliable manner;
7. Design and deliver in-depth, and state-of-the-art client reporting on high throughput data generated from various NGS and array data from various domains (specifically epigenomics, but also including genomics, proteomics, etc.);
8. Present experimental plans and results to internal and external stakeholders;
9. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team;
10. Be involved in hiring and team growth.

Essential skills and experience

1. MSc or PhD equivalent experience in Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Computer Science or a related subject;
2. 3+ years’ experience delivering bioinformatics and ML based solutions to the industry;
3. Strong experience in software development (mainly Python), test-driven development and proficiency in collaborative software development practices (code reviews, branching models);
4. Experience in version control, CI/CD and automated deployment;
5. Experience in cloud computing (e.g. AWS/GCP);
6. Familiarity with tools used in modern Illumina NGS data analysis;

Desirable:

1. Experience in analysis of epigenetics data such as DNA methylation and variant analysis (GWAS) is also advantageous;
2. Experience working in agile environments;
3. Experience deploying and maintaining secure computing environments;
4. Familiarity with research governance, The Data Protection Act and Good Clinical Practice;
5. Curiosity on using and implementing current AI technologies into company workflows.