Job Description:
We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals with a preferential background in computer & data science to join our research team in Nersisyan lab at ABI as bioinformatics interns. The successful candidates will contribute to either of the two exciting projects aimed at unraveling the intricate relationships between the human microbiota and disease or the identification of cancer biomarkers using cutting-edge computational approaches.
Employer: Armenian Bioinformatics Institute
Slots: 4 Interns
Format: Full time position (potential for a job offer after successful internship)
Working hours: 10(11)-6(7)
Location: On-site (remote work may be possible in exceptional cases or upon candidate relocation)
Duration: 10 weeks
Remuneration: 120.000 AMD gross per month
Application Deadline: July 5, 2023
Start: July 12, 2023
Note: We will accept up to 4 interns overall, and up to 2 exceptional interns will be offered a job at the end of the internship period. Additional offers may be made based on funding availability and candidate performance.
Project 1:
As part of Project 1, you will be involved in investigating the role of the human gut microbiota in disease development and progression. The composition of this microbiota plays a pivotal role in maintaining human health. Disturbances or imbalances in the microbiota can contribute to a wide array of both infectious and non-infectious diseases, including but not limited to cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and obesity.
The primary objective of this project is to employ data-driven methodologies to explore how diseases are associated with alterations in the composition of the microbiome and to identify potential targets for pro- or anti-biotic interventions. You will analyze and interpret short-read sequencing data, including metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic datasets. By employing various data-driven methodologies, such as dimensionality reduction, clustering, Markov models, linear algebra, and statistical analyses, you will explore how alterations in the composition of the microbiome are associated with different diseases.
Programming Languages: The computational aspects of this project will be executed using bash scripting, and Python and/or R.
Project 2:
In Project 2, you will focus on the analysis of cell-free DNA extracted from blood plasma from both healthy individuals and patients with disease. A key advantage of using cell-free DNA is its non-invasive nature, which facilitates repeated analyses without discomfort or harm to the patient. Cell-free DNA has successfully been used in clinics for early cancer detection, and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) to screen for chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses.
The primary objective is to identify a novel class of biomarkers residing in the repetitive regions of DNA, an area that has been relatively under explored. This project will require the use of bioinformatics tools, alignment algorithms, and machine learning-based methodologies for noise reduction. By implementing statistical analyses, you will identify disease biomarkers that can be utilized for disease diagnostics and monitoring disease progression.
Programming Languages: Bash scripting will be used for automating workflows and data processing. In addition, Python and/or R will be employed for specialized analyses and for implementing machine learning algorithms.
Qualifications:
- Intermediate or advanced skills in programming languages, such as bash scripting, Python, and/or R.
- Basic understanding of molecular biology and genomics concepts is a plus but not mandatory.
- Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- English language proficiency.
What we Offer
- A supervised and intense bioinformatics training covering basics of molecular biology needed for the project, as well as bioinformatics tools and algorithms․
- Opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary, international and vibrant team of researchers․
- Opportunity to participate in our seminars and group meetings to learn from others’ work․
- Networking opportunities with scientists in the field․
- Possible continuation of your career as a bioinformatician or bioinformatics engineer․
About ABI
The Armenian Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) is a dynamic scientific-educational foundation dedicated to advancing data-centric research in life sciences. ABI’s research portfolio is diverse, encompassing genomics across plants, animals, and humans. We not only develop innovative algorithms and software tools but also apply them to life sciences, medicine, and biotechnology. In addition to conducting basic research, ABI offers specialized research services to biotech companies. Furthermore, we are committed to nurturing future talent through a range of educational programs, thereby cultivating the next generation of bioinformatics specialists.