Bioinformatics Research Assistant (Contingent II - Grant Funded))

Job Posting:

JR102264 Bioinformatics Research Assistant (Contingent II - Grant Funded)) (Open)

Department:

BSU Natural Sciences, JM

Position Type:

Non-Regular Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Open Date:

11-03-2026

Close Date:

$49,582

Job Description:

Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Bowie State University seeks a highly motivated Bioinformatics Research Technician to support biomedical research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying disease phenotypes in cancer and identifying associations between disease phenotypes and mitochondrial genetic variation. This grant-funded position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative genomics research through computational analysis of large-scale biological datasets while working in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.

The Bioinformatics Research Assistant will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI), undergraduate researchers, and collaborators to support bioinformatics analyses, manage computational workflows, and contribute to research dissemination activities. A major component of this position involves training, mentoring, and supporting undergraduate researchers, particularly students from groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Perform bioinformatics and computational analyses of genomic and other large-scale biological datasets related to cancer and mitochondrial genetics research.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize data analysis workflows and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Assist with data management, quality control, statistical analysis, visualization, and interpretation of research findings.
• Support the preparation of research reports, scientific presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related documentation.
• Participate in collaborative research activities with faculty, students, and external research partners.
• Manage software installations and computational resources within Unix/Linux environments and troubleshoot technical issues as needed.
• Maintain accurate research records, documentation, and data management procedures.
• Assist with laboratory and project operations as necessary to support grant objectives.

A core responsibility of this position is the mentorship and training of undergraduate researchers.

Responsibilities include:

• Training undergraduate students in bioinformatics, computational biology, and research best practices.
• Providing technical guidance on data analysis methods, software tools, and computational workflows.
• Supporting student participation in research projects, presentations, and scholarly activities.
• Fostering an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative learning environment for students from diverse educational, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Contributing to the development of a research culture that promotes student success, scientific curiosity, and persistence in STEM fields.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

•  Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biology, Data Science or related fields with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Genomics, Data Science, Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience performing computational analyses of biological or genomic data.
• Proficiency with Unix/Linux operating systems and command-line environments.
• Experience with scripting or programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, Perl, or related languages.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative research team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• analysis tools.
• Experience using high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Familiarity with workflow management systems and reproducible research practices.
• Experience with statistical genetics, genomics, mitochondrial genetics, cancer genomics, or related research areas.
• Experience mentoring, teaching, or training undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting students from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds in STEM.
• Evidence of research productivity, including scientific presentations, publications, or other scholarly contributions.

Conditions of Employment:

• Not Currently Available

Additional Job Information:

Conditions of Employment:

 

• This position is funded in whole or in part through an external restricted funding source designated specifically for this research project. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding and the continuation of the project's approved scope.
• Occasional evening or weekend activities may be required to support student research activities, project deadlines, conferences, or grant-related events.

 

 

Additional Job Information:

 Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance; paid time for paid sick leave and annual leave; 10 paid holidays per year, tuition remission and supplemental retirement.

 

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities of Bowie State University are and shall be in conformity with all pertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,  the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in all areas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.

 

Equal opportunity of access to academic and related programs shall be extended to all persons. Bowie State University shall have as its firm objective equal opportunity in recruitment and hiring, rate of pay, all other promotions, training, retention and dismissals, for all employees and applicants for employment. The University will stress equal access for employees and applicants for employment to all programs and services provided by the University both on and off campus. The University will also provide equal opportunity and an atmosphere of nondiscrimination with respect to women and members of minority groups in all its operations. In addition, the University shall promote equal opportunity and equal treatment through a positive and continuing Affirmative Action Program.

 

The University makes, and will continue to make, reasonable accommodations to promote the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the University's business.

 

 In addition, employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in, or may have engaged in, activities such as filing a complaint, assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance review or hearing, or opposing any act or practice made unlawful, or exercising any other right protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended or the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended.

Bowie State University shall not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, marital status or veteran status. All policies, programs, and activities of Bowie State University are and shall be in conformity with all pertinent Federal and state laws of nondiscrimination including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Age Discrimination Act, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,  the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Federal Executive Order No. 11375, and Article 49B of the Annotated Code of Maryland. This commitment applies in all areas and embraces faculty, staff, and students.