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Career Compass Featured Jobs

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Researcher, University of Oklahoma

Job description: Advancements in single-cell genomic, including spatially-resolved techniques, are transforming our understanding of biology. We are seeking exceptional students and graduates to work on challenges and applications of these groundbreaking technologies, especially in the context of cancer immunology and immuno-modulation.

Whether your degree is in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or Mathematics, if you are passionate about working at the intersection of biology and computation, interested in functional genomics and thrive in a highly collaborative and dynamic environment, this is the perfect PhD or PostDoc opportunity for you.

 

Protein Engineering Data Scientist, IFF, United States California Palo Alto

Job description: At IFF we are looking for an experienced machine learning oriented protein engineer. As part of our team, you will identify the state-of-the-art in data-driven methods for library design, adjust them to our purposes and help implement them for direct use in business projects.

In our team, machine learning staff, molecular biologists, biochemists, and automation hardware engineers work side-by-side. Improvements are deployed with minimal delay, and you can expect to have large impact on the value of our products.

As a Protein Engineering Data Scientist, you will help to define our design strategy and to implement it so that it seamlessly integrates with our high-throughput screening workflows

 

PhD in Bioinformatics in Tropical Australia, James Cook University

Job description: Successful PhD candidate will work with leading immunologists and bioinformaticians across Australia in networks including the Centre for Personalised Immunology (www.cpi.org.au) and CIRCA (www.garvan.org.au/research/collaborative-programs/circa). This project will utilise the latest in sequencing technologies (including single cell and long reads) to discover the genetic contribution to human immunological diseases. This PhD would help develop cutting edge bioinformatics workflows and through collaborations with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research to further our understanding of the progression of autoimmune disease.

 

Brue Mitchell fellow, Queen's University

Job description: We invite you to join our laboratory affiliated with Queen’s University, School of Medicine, and School of Computing. This prestigious Bruce Mitchell PhD fellowship offers an opportunity to work and receive training in computational methods and data analysis for studying the epigenetic mechanisms of cancer. The fellow is expected to collaborate closely with an experimental group from the Biology Department to elucidate the mechanisms of cancer mutations in histone and chromatin remodelers.

 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational Cancer Genomics, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
MGH Cancer Center, HMS Department of Biomedical Infomatics

Job description: The Gülhan Lab is seeking multiple postdoctoral fellows to work on innovative computational methods in the research areas of interest of the lab.

Below is a list of example projects:

1. Mutational signature analysis: Building innovative signature analysis methods addressing some of the limitations of existing approaches.

  • Improving accuracy and interpretability of signatures by deconvoluting their temporal and genomic locus dependence.

  • Applying these methods in large datasets and by building an effective multi-study discovery strategy.

  • Comprehensive characterization of genomic instability mechanisms and patient classification through multi-modal signature analysis methods.

2. Liquid biopsy tests with cell-free DNA: Building a comprehensive set of algorithms for mutation, tumor detection and gene expression inference methods; Utilizing them in development of an early-cancer detection cell-free DNA test and studying drug resistance mechanisms.

  • High accuracy single-nucleotide variant and indel detection through the use of signatures and machine learning

  • Building fragmentomics model for improved CNV and tumor fraction inference

  • Enhanced tumor detection using mutations and fragmentomics jointly

  • Gene expression inference methods

3. Long read single-cell sequencing: Developing tools for joint genome and transcriptome profiling and using it to study early cancer development mechanisms and dynamic shifts in cancer cell composition in pre-/post-treatment biopsies in patients treated with targeted therapies.

  • Calling copy number variants, single-nucleotide variants, and indels from long-read scRNA-seq data. Studying mutational processes and their intratumor heterogeneity

  • Multi-modal characterization of single cells to detect cancer cells in precursor lesions

  • Multi-modal characterization of changes in molecular characteristics of cellular composition of tumors in highly heterogeneous metastatic tumors

  • Studying haploinsufficiency of immune cells in DNA-repair gene mutation carriers

Postdocs will get the chance to be a part of supportive and inclusive communities such as the Bioinformatics team at the Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research at MGH and the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School. They will work closely with clinical teams at the forefront of precision oncology. Additionally, we accommodate remote or hybrid positions.

 

Director of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Institute for Protein Innovation, Boston, Massachusetts

Job description: The Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI) is a nonprofit research organization advancing protein science to accelerate research and improve human health. Founded in 2017 and located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, the Institute’s three-pronged strategy is to build protein tools, conduct related internal research and develop educational programs for the protein science and biological research communities.

With a significant endowment, IPI uniquely combines the freedom of academia with the high throughput and scale of industry to take on transformative projects. IPI has built a robust platform for discovering, developing, and distributing synthetic antibodies and other protein tools to share with the biomedical community. The Institute's deep protein expertise, collaborative spirit and research tools are powering new biomedical and therapeutic discoveries with a growing community of researchers at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital and other institutions across Greater Boston and beyond.

Purpose
The Director of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics will lead and manage the computational biology and bioinformatics team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing computational strategies to support cutting-edge research and development in the fields of protein science, antibody discovery, proteomics, systems biology, scientific databases, machine learning, and others. This role will involve collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive the discovery and development of novel molecules, technologies, and scientific publications. This individual will be a key member of IPI's scientific leadership team.

Primary Areas of Responsibility

1. Lead and mentor a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

2. Develop and execute strategic plans for the computational biology and bioinformatics group aligned with the organization’s goals.

3. Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful project delivery.

4. Work closely with other departments to ensure computational support for various research and development projects. This group will initially support IPI's research platforms, internal databases, and external product catalogs of antigens and antibodies.

5. Drive the development of new computational tools, pipelines, and platforms to enhance data analysis capabilities. These include but are not limited to in vitro antibody discovery data, protein biophysical characterization, proteomic analysis, and others.

6. Ensure the integration and analysis of large datasets to generate actionable biological insights.

7. Collaborate with experimental scientists, data scientists, and other stakeholders to design and interpret experiments, providing data-driven recommendations.

8. Communicate complex computational analyses and results to both technical and non-technical audiences.

9. Stay current on the latest advancements in computational biology and bioinformatics and incorporate relevant technologies and methodologies.

10. Promote adopting best practices in data management, reproducibility, and collaborative research.

 

Faculty Biostatistics & Epidemiology – Collaborator for the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic

Job description: The Cleveland Clinic Department of Quantitative Health Sciences has a faculty opening, at the Cleveland Ohio Main Campus, for an early to mid-career biostatistician with interest in a long-term commitment to lead biostatical collaborations with Cleveland Clinic's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (LRCBH). The center is dedicated to the care of patients with memory loss, dementia and other cognitive/behavioral disorders of aging, the pursuit of a better understanding of the underlying pathobiology of these disorders, and the development of more effective treatments. The center is located on the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The LRCBH is home to the NIA sponsored Cleveland Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (CADRC) and has a Research Center of Excellence designation by the Lewy Body Dementia Association. The research budget at the center is over 25 million dollars.

The primary need for the next five-eight years is for the statistical expert to be able to leverage multiplex analyte platforms, proteomic data, and MRI/PET imaging along with clinical variables to help develop data driven disease progression models and risk assessment. The successful candidate will lead biostatistical design and analysis for observational studies and clinical trials. Additional expertise in one or more of the following areas would be desirable: novel clinical trial design, developing computational pipelines for high-dimensional data analysis, modelling multidimensional datasets, machine learning, omics analyses, longitudinal modeling, structural equations modeling, use of electronic medical record data, and adaptive network analysis. Currently the center employs one Master’s degree Biostatistician whom the new hire will oversee and mentor. LRCBH investigators seek expertise from a PhD-level scientist for addressing complex research questions in neurodegenerative disease research, database management and study design.

This is a hard-money position with no explicit requirements to obtain salary support.

The position is 70% collaboration and 30% protected time for independent research.

The position includes an appointment to the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University at rank commensurate with experience. Candidates should enjoy collaborating on and bringing creative analytic approaches to complex problems in neurodegenerative disease research and have a strong desire to publish journal articles. Excellent English written and oral communication skills are essential.

The Department of Quantitative Health Sciences has 30 faculty and over 130 members. Areas of disciplinary research application include biostatistical methods, clinical trials, population health, statistical genetics, bioinformatics, statistical computing, predictive modeling, and computational biology. For more career information see the Quantitative Health Sciences Career site.

The metropolitan and suburban areas of Cleveland comprise a population of over 3 million, rich in cultural resources and diversity. The city itself is centrally located to several other large cities and enjoys a low cost of living index. Cleveland Clinic is among the world’s largest, busiest health centers, and ranked the second-best U.S. hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment/affirmative action employer: Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

We are a smoke/drug free environment.

 

Postdoctoral Position Senior Postdoctoral Fellow / Staff Scientist in Quantitative Single Cell Systems Biology, Vanderbilt University, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Nashville, Tennessee

Job description: The Neuert Lab at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D.-level researcher to join our team. Our lab focuses on quantitatively understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms of signal transduction and gene regulation in single cells. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in computational and experimental single-cell biology, with a focus on signaling or transcription.

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Pitch

Creating Your Elevator Pitch: A Job Search Essential

When you hear the phrase “elevator pitch,” you might think of business owners pitching ideas to investors or briefly selling a product to potential buyers. But an elevator pitch isn’t just for business—it’s also a valuable tool in your job search! Your personal pitch should cover a few key points and do so in about 30–60 seconds.

Once you’re clear on its purpose (e.g., asking about job opportunities; introducing yourself in an interview) follow these simple steps to create your personal elevator pitch:

  1. Introduce yourself.
    Start by giving your name and your current role or status.

  2. Highlight your skills, expertise, or accomplishments.
    This summary should focus on what’s most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Use specific examples and metrics to highlight your skills and accomplishments.

  3. Describe what makes you unique or valuable.
    What sets you apart? Why do your skills, experiences, or personal qualities make you the perfect candidate for the job?

  4. Briefly state your goal or career objective.
    Why is this job the next best step for your career? This can be fairly general as you will likely have the opportunity to elaborate as the interview progresses.

  5. Wrap up your pitch with a polite closing that keeps the conversation going.
    You can ask a question of the interviewer or you can offer to expand on any areas that you’ve highlighted already.

How will you fit all of this into 60 seconds? Write down your ideas! Then refine them, and refine them again. When you have responses you’re happy with, practice, practice, practice!

If you’d like some examples on what an elevator pitch looks like (and more advice on preparing it!), there are some great examples here and here.

Using Your Elevator Pitch

There are several ways you can use your elevator pitch, but one of the most useful ways is to help you answer the common interview request, “Tell me about yourself.”

While the request itself is simple, answering it can feel daunting. How do you summarize your entire self into a succinct answer that clearly demonstrates you’re perfect for the job? Well, you don’t. In an interview for a job, you should only be focusing on who you are professionally. Your pitch will help you keep things on track!

Here are a few other ideas for using your personal pitch:

  • Career fairs and networking events: A refined pitch helps you quickly engage recruiters and potential employers, and leaves a lasting impression of your skills and goals.

  • Cold emails or phone calls: Use your pitch to introduce yourself effectively and make a strong first impression when inquiring about opportunities.

  • Cover letters: Expand on your pitch to structure your cover letter and highlight your strengths.

  • Social media bios: Adapt your pitch for LinkedIn and other platforms to clearly present your professional identity.

Final Thoughts

Your elevator pitch is a living document—polish and refine it regularly to keep it sharp. Practice until it feels natural, and tailor it to each job or situation. Whether you’re meeting a recruiter, interviewing, or updating your LinkedIn profile, a well-crafted pitch can be a game-changer, helping you make a strong first impression and confidently showcase your value.

 

Sources:

Herrity, J. (2018). How to Give an Elevator Pitch (With Examples). Indeed.
      https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-give-an-elevator-pitch-examples

Professor Heather Austin. (2021, November 30). Tell Me About Yourself - A GOOD Answer To This Interview Question (2024 EXAMPLE!). YouTube.
   
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeL11D_uBnI

Professor Heather Austin. (2022, June 14). The PERFECT Elevator Pitch - Introduce Yourself In 30 Seconds Or Less (EXAMPLE INCLUDED).
       YouTube
. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwuk7vq8Yfo

Stokes, C. (2023, February). Your Professional Elevator Pitch. PRSA. https://www.prsa.org/article/your-professional-elevator-pitch

 

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