Senior Data Scientist, Biological Discovery

Key Skills

Data science techniques, Jupyter Notebook, NumPy, Pandas, Python Programming, R Programming, RNA-seq Data processing

Job Description

Calico is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to join an agile and interdisciplinary team focused on generating tractable biological insights through innovative and integrative analyses of large scale ‘omics datasets. 

As part of our effort to understand the biology of human aging and age-related diseases, we are combining high-throughput genetic and/or pharmacological perturbations with high-dimensional readouts such as bulk and single cell sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and microscopy. Information from these experimental platforms has the potential to bridge the gap between real world data from large human cohorts such as the UK Biobank and an actionable understanding of the biological underpinnings of human aging and age-related diseases. However, reconciling these perturbations and diverse read-outs into testable biological hypotheses is a challenging data science problem requiring diverse skill sets, cross-functional collaboration, and a strong grounding in biology.

We will tackle this problem by working as an agile and tight-knit data science team, synergizing to explore complementary aspects of a shared problem. As part of this team, the successful candidate will work with a range of stakeholders (e.g., Discovery scientists and leaders, computational biologists, machine learning engineers, data scientists, translational project leads, and biostatisticians) to plan and conduct analyses as well as design cutting-edge experiments that test newly generated hypotheses or produce data critical for generating novel biological insights. Thus, this role offers a unique opportunity to tackle a wide range of problems while innovating at the leading edge of data science and the biology of aging and age-related diseases.

Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with scientists throughout R&D to answer key biological questions via creative analysis of high-dimensional datasets and design of high impact experiments
• Manifest interdisciplinary research by maintaining a presence across diverse programs at Calico and developing methods to integrate different data modalities
• Work effectively as part of an agile and tight-knit analysis team tackling diverse biological questions
• Communicate clearly and effectively in verbal, visual, and written form to stakeholders with varying levels of technical knowledge

Position Requirements:

• Ph.D. / MS and four years of work experience in a quantitative field such as Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Biological Sciences, Genomics, or equivalent preparation
• Experience analyzing high-dimensional biological datasets such as bulk RNA-Seq, Ribo-Seq, bulk ATAC-Seq/ChIP-Seq, metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics, microscopy, and/or cell painting
• Experience conducting systems biological analyses that integrate ‘omics datasets, molecular pathways, and genetic data to generate specific testable hypotheses
• Fundamental understanding of statistics and biology
• Fluency applying R (tidyverse) and/or Python (pandas, numpy, jupyter) to diverse analytical problems
• Track record of effective interdisciplinary collaboration and a team-first mentality
• Must be willing to work onsite currently at least three days a week

Nice to Haves:

• Experience analyzing single cell datasets (e.g., scRNA-Seq, scATAC-Seq)
• Experience with CRISPR-based technology (e.g., CROP-Seq, STING-Seq)
• Experience in human genetics including analysis and interpretation of rare and common variation

The estimated base salary range for this role is $169,000 - $172,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.