How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
The Data & Bioinformatics Specialist serves as the Michigan Neuroscience Institute's institute-wide expert in computational research, bioinformatics, data science, statistical analysis, and emerging artificial intelligence methodologies. Working collaboratively with faculty, trainees, research staff, and campus partners, this position develops and applies innovative computational approaches that accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen grant competitiveness, and advance high-impact neuroscience research.
As a shared institutional resource, this position supports investigators across multiple research programs by providing expertise in experimental design, data management, statistical analysis, machine learning, visualization, and reproducible computational workflows. The position partners closely with faculty throughout the research lifecycle?from study design and proposal development through publication and data sharing?and plays a key role in expanding MNI's computational research capabilities.
Responsibilities*
Computational Research & Bioinformatics
Serve as the institute's primary resource for computational analysis of complex neuroscience research data, including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, electrophysiologic, imaging, behavioral, clinical, and other multi-modal datasets. Design, develop, and maintain robust, reproducible computational workflows and bioinformatics pipelines that support high-quality research, scientific publications, and competitive grant applications. Apply appropriate statistical methodologies and analytical techniques to ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and meaningful interpretation of experimental findings. Collaborate with investigators to identify innovative computational approaches that enhance scientific discovery and improve research efficiency.
Data Science & Advanced Analytics
Develop and implement data science solutions that integrate diverse biological and clinical datasets. Design interactive dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools that improve interpretation and communication of research findings. Evaluate and implement machine learning, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence approaches appropriate for neuroscience research. Identify opportunities to leverage emerging computational technologies to advance institute research priorities.
Research Consultation & Collaboration
Provide scientific consultation to investigators throughout all phases of the research lifecycle, including experimental design, statistical planning, sample size estimation, data management, computational methodology, and interpretation of results. Collaborate on multidisciplinary research initiatives as a computational subject matter expert. Contribute analytical expertise to manuscript preparation, including statistical analyses, methods development, and publication-quality figures. Support development of competitive grant proposals by contributing computational approaches, preliminary analyses, data management strategies, and methodological expertise.
Data Infrastructure & Research Computing
Promote institute-wide best practices for research data management, documentation, reproducibility, and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. Develop standardized computational workflows that improve efficiency and reduce duplication across research programs. Coordinate with Advanced Research Computing, Information Technology, Precision Health, and other university resources to ensure investigators have access to appropriate computational infrastructure. Support compliance with NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and other sponsor requirements. Evaluate emerging software platforms, cloud computing technologies, and analytical tools that enhance institute research capabilities.
Education & Scientific Community Building
Develop educational programs, workshops, and consultation services that increase computational literacy across the institute. Provide training in statistical analysis, reproducible research practices, data visualization, coding, and bioinformatics tools. Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff in computational research methods. Foster collaboration among computational researchers across the Medical School and University of Michigan. Represent MNI on university committees and working groups focused on data science, bioinformatics, AI, and research computing.
Strategic Institute Initiatives
Partner with institute leadership to identify opportunities for expanding MNI's computational research capabilities.
Support development of institute-wide data resources and collaborative research initiatives. Contribute to strategic planning related to artificial intelligence, data science, and computational neuroscience. Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investments that strengthen the institute's research enterprise and national competitiveness. Develop metrics that demonstrate the impact of shared computational services on research productivity, funding success, and scientific collaboration.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor?s degree in Bioinformatics, Data Science, Biomedical Informatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, Neuroscience, or a closely related discipline.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting biomedical or neuroscience research through computational analysis, bioinformatics, or data science.
- Demonstrated proficiency with statistical programming languages such as R and/or Python.
- Experience analyzing large, complex biological or biomedical datasets.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex analytical concepts to diverse scientific audiences.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master?s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biomedical Informatics, Neuroscience, Statistics, Computer Science, or related field.
- Experience supporting NIH-funded or other federally sponsored biomedical research.
- Expertise in one or more neuroscience-related analytical domains, including genomics, transcriptomics, spatial biology, neuroimaging, electrophysiology, behavioral science, or clinical research.
- Experience with high-performance computing, cloud computing, and research computing environments.
- Knowledge of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and advanced statistical methodologies.
- Familiarity with NIH Data Management and Sharing requirements and principles of reproducible research.
- Demonstrated experience developing collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary research teams.
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Success Measures
Success in this role will be demonstrated through measurable contributions to MNI's research enterprise, including:
- Increased investigator access to advanced computational and bioinformatics expertise.
- Enhanced competitiveness and success of grant applications through integration of innovative analytical approaches.
- Growth in collaborative, multidisciplinary neuroscience research projects.
- Increased research productivity, publications, and data-sharing capabilities.
- Development of sustainable computational workflows, educational resources, and institute-wide best practices.
- Advancement of MNI's strategic vision as a nationally recognized leader in computational neuroscience, data science, and AI-enabled biomedical research.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.