Senior Bioinformatics Specialist

Background:

• The Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) has received financial support from the World Bank for Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing project to strengthen regional infectious disease detection and response systems. EPHI is the technical wing for the FMoH re-established as an exciting and dynamic autonomous federal government institute having its own legal entity in charge of three main objectives as expressed in the regulation number 301/2013: 1) Research on priority public health and nutrition issues (based on national public health research agendas), generate, translate and disseminate scientific and technological knowledge; 2) Surveillance for the early identification and detection of public health risks and prevent public health emergencies through adequate preparedness, alert, timely information to respond effectively and timely and ensure rapid recovery of the affected population from the impact of public health emergency; 3) national laboratory services on emerging and re-emerging public health emergency threats including referral diagnostic, back up services and analytical tests and support the capacity building of health and food science laboratories at the national level for quality laboratory services. In 2018, the institute has established a National Data Management Center for health (NDMC) to transform its data systems, evidence generation and data use for public health emergency responses.
• NDMC is responsible to centrally archive health and health related data; ensure data governance and security; create platforms for data sharing, access and use; process and manage data by applying robust data analytic technics, integration of datasets and apply data science to generate and synthesis evidence; and ensure evidence utilization for decision making by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and other relevant stakeholders at local, sub-national and national continental and international levels; ensure relevant capacities are built at local, national and regional levels and to serve as canter of excellence.
• The NDMC has the responsibility of implementing Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing Project (ACDCP) functions related to developing innovative interconnected and interoperable disease surveillance and reporting systems, networking regional and continental partners and with Africa CDC and to build data analytic, disease surveillance and reporting, undertaking integrated data analysis, evidence translation, and database development and evidence synthesis, digital platforms and data sharing and, will also serve as a regional and continental information hub. EPHI is therefore looking for a high caliber Senior Bioinformatics Specialist with strong qualification and experience to contribute for the effective implementation of its aforementioned responsibilities. 

Objective:

• The objective of this role is to deploy a Senior Bioinformatics Specialist who will contribute to the successful implementation of the Africa CDC Regional Investment Financing project.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Bioinformatics Solutions Development:
• Develop and implement advanced bioinformatics solutions to address complex analytical challenges in disease surveillance and response.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement bioinformatics pipelines, aligning with NDMC research priorities.
• Database Management and Integration:
• Collaborate with software developers to manage and enhance biological data databases, ensuring alignment with NDMC research goals.
• Optimize database performance and implement strategies for integrating diverse biological datasets.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation:
• Utilize state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools to analyze and integrate complex biological data from various sources, generating meaningful insights.
• Apply advanced statistical methods to extract patterns and trends, contributing to evidence generation.
• Technical Documentation and Sharing:
• Prepare comprehensive documentation of bioinformatics workflows, methods, and results, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.
• Effectively communicate analysis outcomes to stakeholders, ensuring clear and concise reporting.
• System Security and Maintenance:
• Implement robust security measures to safeguard bioinformatics systems, databases, and sensitive biological data.
• Conduct routine system maintenance, including updates and patches, to ensure system stability and data integrity.
• Algorithm Development and Optimization:
• Contribute to the development and optimization of bioinformatics algorithms, enabling accurate sequence analysis, variant calling, and more.
• Collaborate with researchers to customize analysis tools based on specific biological questions.
• Advanced Data Visualization:
• Design and create interactive data visualizations using modern JavaScript libraries and frameworks.
• Translate complex biological data into informative visuals to aid in data interpretation and communication.
• Mentorship and Collaboration:
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior bioinformatics team members, fostering their skill development.
• Collaborate with NDMC, HIV and TB, Malaria, PHEM, Lab capacity, and AMR other units to integrate bioinformatics findings into disease surveillance strategies.

Other Activities:

• Apply advanced techniques in genomics data analysis, including variant calling, genome assembly, and structural variant analysis.
• Utilize bioinformatics tools to analyze macromolecular structures, predict protein functions, and model interactions.
• Explore machine learning algorithms for predictive modeling, classification, and pattern recognition in biological data.
• Conduct phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses to understand genetic relationships and disease spread.
• Analyze metagenomics data to study microbial communities and microbiome-host interactions.
• Translate bioinformatics findings into actionable insights for clinical applications.

Deliverables

• Develop and implement advanced bioinformatics solutions to address complex analytical challenges in disease surveillance and response.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement bioinformatics pipelines, aligning with NDMC research priorities.
• Collaborate with software developers to manage and enhance biological data databases, ensuring alignment with NDMC research goals.
• Optimize database performance and implement strategies for integrating diverse biological datasets.
• Utilize state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools to analyze and integrate complex biological data from various sources, generating meaningful insights.
• Apply advanced statistical methods to extract patterns and trends, contributing to evidence generation.
• Prepare comprehensive documentation of bioinformatics workflows, methods, and results, ensuring transparency and reproducibility.
• Implement robust security measures to safeguard bioinformatics systems, databases, and sensitive biological data.
• Contribute to the development and optimization of bioinformatics algorithms, enabling accurate sequence analysis, variant calling, and more.
• Collaborate with researchers to customize analysis tools based on specific biological questions.
• Design and create interactive data visualizations using modern JavaScript libraries and frameworks.
• Translate complex biological data into informative visuals to aid in data interpretation and communication.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior bioinformatics team members, fostering their skill development.
• Apply advanced techniques in genomics data analysis, including variant calling, genome assembly, and structural variant analysis.

Methodology:

• The Senior Bioinformatics Specialist will collaborate closely with the NDMC, PHEM, Lab capacity, and AMR units. The role will involve the application of advanced bioinformatics techniques, data integration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Reporting:

• The Senior Bioinformatics Specialist will report to the NDMC Coordinator.
• The role will be based at EPHI/NDMC in Addis Ababa.

Contract Duration and Remuneration:

• The contract will be for one year with the possibility of extension based on performance and project needs.
• Salary will be based on qualifications and experience according to EPHI’s contract salary scale

Place of Work: Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa

Reporting to: National Data Management Center for health (NDMC), Lead 

Salary: Per MOF Contract Staff salary scale

Terms of employment: Contract

Qualification and Experience:

• MSc or higher degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related field.
• Two or more years of relevant work experience in bioinformatics, with strong expertise in relevant tools and techniques.
• Proficiency in scripting languages, statistical tools, and relevant software.
• Strong publication record in bioinformatics research is a plus.

How To Apply

• Interested applicants can register in Online through only ethiojobs  send their CVs and relevant documents within 10 days from the first appearance of the announcement
• Remarks: Please attach copies of transcripts, academic degree or recommendation letters together with the application. If not attached the copies you may be not short listed.