Genetics Data Systems Engineer

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Role highlights

• Great opportunity to build systems that enable cutting-edge genetics
• Apply your data and software expertise to complex scientific challenges
• Join a multidisciplinary team advancing fisheries and species research!

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

The CSIRO Integrated Ocean Stewardship (IOS) Research Program brings together multidisciplinary capabilities to deliver integrated, systems-level science for Australia’s marine environment. Within the program, the broader Livelihoods Research Group focuses on sustainable marine industries, fisheries, threatened species and population genomics, combining ecological science, genetics and socio-environmental capability to support sustainable marine resource management and biodiversity outcomes.

As a Genetics Data Systems Engineer, you will develop, maintain and optimise the digital and computational infrastructure that underpins genetics-based fisheries and threatened species research. Working within the Population Genomics team, you will help develop and support data systems that connect biological samples and associated information across the genetics workflow, from laboratory processing through to analysis.

You will develop and document reproducible computational workflows for genetic analyses and quality control, support robust and scalable computing environments, and maintain data management practices that promote data integrity, traceability and long-term accessibility. You will also contribute to project planning, problem solving and the delivery of technical solutions that meet evolving research needs.

You will bring relevant qualifications and/or equivalent experience in data science, bioinformatics or a related discipline, along with demonstrated experience developing and supporting computational workflows for biological or scientific data. Experience managing complex datasets, building and maintaining databases, documenting technical workflows and using version control will be important, as will your ability to collaborate with researchers, laboratory staff and technical teams. Experience with genetic or genomic data, large-scale analysis, AI/ML, R or Python would be highly regarded.

If you are excited by the opportunity to combine data, technology and science to address real-world challenges, this role offers the chance to develop systems and workflows that underpin genetics research with applications in fisheries management and threatened species conservation – and we would love to hear from you!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Working with Project leaders, and with guidance from senior developers, to develop and support data systems that track biological samples and associated data across the genetics workflow, from laboratory processing through to analysis.
• Documenting and maintaining reproducible computational workflows for genetic analyses and associated quality control processes.
• Supporting robust, scalable, and secure computing environments for high-throughput genetic research projects.
• Maintaining data management practices that ensure data integrity, traceability, and long-term accessibility.
• Showing initiative to seek new approaches to meet experimental or technological needs when encountering new problems where methods are not defined.
• Participating in planning projects and accepting responsibility for scheduling and completion of major parts of the project, including evaluation of options, experimental design, data collection and analysis, user and customer research, implementation and delivery.

Location and office arrangements: Hobart, TAS

Salary: AU$100K – AU$113K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (preferred) – part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.

Reference: 103887

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent experience in data science, bioinformatics or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and supporting computational workflows and analysis for biological or scientific data using programming and scripting.
• Experience managing and organising complex datasets, with an understanding of data integrity and reproducibility.
• Experience in the database building process from initial system specification to maintaining the system in production.
• Ability to document technical workflows and maintain clear records of processes and systems, and appropriately use versioning control.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary group, with researchers, laboratory staff, and technical teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and wellbeing of staff, willing to challenge the status quo in pursuit of Zero Harm.
• Experience working with genetic or genomic data.
• Experience supporting high-throughput or large-scale data analysis projects.
• Experience using and/or integrating AI or ML solutions into software pipelines.
• Experience with programming languages commonly used for scientific computing, such as R and Python.

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discour…

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you.

Applications for this position are open to Australia Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

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