In this issue:

Featured Job:

• Computational Cancer Research Scientist

Closing Soon on the ISCB Career Center

Article: Salary Negotiation for Scientists

Career Compass Featured Jobs

Computational Cancer Research Scientists

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen

GarMiglio Lab

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Job description:

Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization which established itself as a leader in translational research and precision medicine. TGen’s mission is leveraging genomics and proteomics expertise and capabilities to deploy “multi-omic” solutions to accelerate the development of new medical diagnostics and innovative therapies for the prevention and treatment of human disease including cancer and neurological disorders. TGen is a part of City of Hope which is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Through collaborations with COH clinicians and researchers we are eager to accelerate the speed with which research discoveries are utilized in a clinical setting.

The GarMiglio Lab led by Dr. Luciano Garofano (Assistant Professor) and Dr. Simona Migliozzi (Assistant Professor) at The Translational Genomics Research Institute (www.tgen.org, located in Phoenix) is an interdisciplinary research group aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy in solid tumors with particular focus on adult and pediatric brain tumors, lung, breast, melanoma and brain metastasis. Our groups combine patient biospecimens, computational approaches and experimental models to dissect cancer heterogeneity, identify functional and clinically relevant tumor subtypes in order to extract targetable molecular nodes with the final aim of developing more effective therapies that improve the survival outcome of cancer patients. Ongoing projects include: i) dissecting glioma ecosystem during evolution, ii) role of neurons-cancer crosstalk in non-CNS tumor progression, iii) reconstructing the spatiotemporal proteomic mosaicism in pediatric brain tumors.

We are looking for talented researchers to develop computational pipelines and implement data analytical models to integrate multi-omics data (spatial single cell transcriptomics, single cell and bulk genomics, epigenetics and proteomics). Candidates with expertise in machine learning approaches and reconstruction of gene/protein regulatory networks with knowledge or strong interest in cancer biology are encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will take a leadership role in ongoing projects as well as develop new research ideas. Specific duties will include, data analysis, interpretation of results, presentation of findings and preparation of peer reviewed manuscripts and grant proposals.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s orPhD (optional) in Engineering, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.

• Deep proficiency or strong interest in molecular cancer biology.

• Knowledge of, or experience with, basic techniques and methods required by the position.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage time and multitask effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of research experience.

• Experience coding in bash, Python and/or R environments.

• Experience with Bioconductor packages.

• Confident operating high-performance cluster systems via schedulers such as SLURM or Torque/PBS

Closing Soon on the ISCB Career Center

These jobs will be leaving the Career Center this month:

• Computational Biology Data Analyst — University of Liverpool

• Assistant or Associate Professor (Tenure Stream) — University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

• Postdoctoral Computational Biologist — Virginia Commonwealth University

• Doctoral researcher in clinical data science and machine learning — Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB)

• Cancer Genomics for Regulatory RNA Therapeutics — University College Dublin

• Postdoc in Gene Regulatory Network Inference — Stockholm University

• Postdoctoral Fellow in Biomedical Informatics — Harvard Medical School

• Bioinformatics Software Engineer — Harvard Medical School

• Research Scientist/Software Developer in Computational Biology and Gene Regulation (2-year position) — Norwegian Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medicine (NCMBM)

Job Offer Negotiation for Scientists

Receiving a job offer can feel like a double-edge sword. On the one hand, it’s exciting! On the other, if the offer isn’t what you were hoping for, it can be disheartening. After years in academia where you’re often expected to accept whatever offer you’re given without question, the idea of negotiating the terms of an offer might be uncomfortable territory. The good news is that negotiating is normal and is often expected. Before you sign anything though, it's worth knowing how to evaluate the offer, what to ask for, and when an offer simply isn't the right fit.

Evaluation the Full Package

A good offer looks different for everyone, but there are some staples a solid offer should include regardless of where you're applying.

Salary should be competitive for the role, the sector, and your experience level. An offer that's reasonable for an early-career researcher may fall well short of what someone with a decade or more of experience should expect. Resources like Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary can help you get a sense of what's typical for your field, region, and experience.

Beyond salary, a solid offer should include clear, comprehensive benefits, as well as some form of retirement contribution. Paid time off and parental leave policies are also worth looking at closely, as these vary widely between employers and sectors.

Workload expectations, growth opportunities, and the overall culture of the organization are harder to put a number on but do most certainly matter for long-term satisfaction. If something feels unclear during the offer stage, even with these more intangible pieces, it's worth asking about.

Things to Consider Negotiating

While salary is an important part of any job offer, there are other elements worth exploring before you sign.

Start date is often negotiable, particularly if you need time to wrap up a current position or relocate for the new one. On that note, if your new role requires a move, it's worth asking whether relocation assistance is provided. Remote work arrangements or hybrid schedules are also increasingly common points of negotiation, depending on the role and employer.

Don't overlook professional development, either. Funding for conferences, training, or courses is something many employers have budgets for. If continuous learning is important to you, or you’re in a field where technology and methods are constantly changing, it's worth asking about. The same goes for job title. Especially if you're thinking about how a role positions you for future opportunities, discussing job title alternatives could be helpful in the long run.

Finally, don't forget the basics: vacation time, health benefits, and retirement contributions are all part of the picture and, depending on the employer, may have some flexibility.

When the Offer Isn't Right

Not every offer is going to be the one, and only you know whether what's on the table works for your situation. If an offer falls short of what you were hoping for but still feels workable, it's worth asking about opportunities for growth with the company before you sign. Will there be a salary review after a set period? Is there a clear path for advancement? If the answer is yes, make sure any commitments made during that conversation are reflected in writing. Verbal promises are easy to forget.

If, after negotiating, the offer still isn't one you can accept, declining professionally matters. Professional communities can be smaller than they seem, and word can travel quickly within a field or sector, particularly in highly specialized areas.

When declining an offer, keep it brief, express genuine appreciation for the opportunity, and where possible, leave the door open. A simple note thanking them for the offer and letting them know you've decided to pursue a different direction is all that's needed. You don't owe anyone a detailed explanation.

Final Thoughts

Negotiating an offer can feel uncomfortable, but it's a normal and expected part of the hiring process. If you reach the job offer negotiation stage, going in informed by knowing what to ask for, how to assess what you've been given, and what your limits are puts you in a strong position. Whatever you decide, make sure it's a decision you've made intentionally and on your own terms.

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