Bioinformatician / Bioinformaticianess

Bioinformatician in Microbiome Research

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Bioinformatician within the Microbiome Research Lab. We are looking for a highly motivated, skilled, and organized individual to provide support to multiple experimental and computational research groups. The successful candidate will contribute to collaborative research efforts and institute-wide activities, including data management and the maintenance of computational infrastructure and software.

Project Background

This position is part of the Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich and is closely linked to projects within the NCCR Microbiomes, a nationwide interdisciplinary research program aimed at understanding and engineering the structure, function, and dynamics of microbiomes across diverse biological and environmental systems.

Several research groups contribute to the NCCR Microbiomes, and the Bioinformatician will play a central role in supporting collaborative research projects through advanced data analysis, interpretation, and visualization using reproducible computational workflows. This position will also support institute-wide bioinformatics activities including data management and shared computational infrastructure, facilitating efficient and sustainable microbiome research.

Job Description

The responsibilities will be tailored to the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Key responsibilities include:

• Support and contribute to research projects of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers by applying and advising on bioinformatics, biostatistics, and modeling approaches.
• Perform and support the analysis, integration, and visualization of multi-omics data (e.g., genomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging data).
• Collaborate with experimental and computational researchers on study design, data interpretation, and the development of reproducible computational workflows.
• Support research data management, including data organization, storage, documentation, and submission to relevant repositories.
• Contribute to the maintenance and further development of shared computational and IT infrastructure in collaboration with IT staff and senior bioinformaticians.
• Support the training of Institute of Microbiology members in bioinformatics and computational biology through consultations and training sessions; more experienced candidates may lead these activities.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of bioinformatics tools, pipelines, and methods for biological data analysis; experienced candidates are encouraged to initiate and lead method development projects.

The position is project-based and initially offered for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on project duration and funding.

Profile

We welcome applications from recent MSc graduates as well as candidates with a PhD and/or relevant professional experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or related fields. The successful candidate is expected to possess:

• A solid background in bioinformatics and/or computational biology, with experience in biological data analysis.
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Programming skills in one or more relevant languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash).
• Experience with omics data analysis; familiarity with additional data types is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Linux-based computing environments; experience with high-performance computing (HPC) systems is a plus.
• An understanding of reproducible research practices, including workflow management and version control (e.g., Git).

Depending on experience, candidates may also demonstrate:

• Experience in data management and submission to public repositories.
• Experience in maintaining bioinformatics pipelines, software environments, or computational infrastructure.
• Experience in training or mentoring students and researchers in bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Initiative in developing bioinformatics tools, methods, or workflows.

Workplace

The Institute of Microbiology at ETH Zurich offers a stimulating research environment, integration into an internationally visible, interdisciplinary research network, and collaboration with researchers from diverse cultural backgrounds. You will have access to cutting-edge computational infrastructure and bioinformatics resources.

We Offer

• A collaborative and inclusive environment that values diversity and supports your professional development.
• Opportunities for skills training and career advancement, with responsibilities tailored to your experience and career stage.
• Support for participation in scientific meetings, workshops, and training activities.
• Competitive salary and benefits in accordance with ETH Zurich regulations.
• A flexible working schedule that accommodates personal needs.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture, valuing equality of opportunity and respecting the rights and dignity of all staff and students. We are committed to sustainability and working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

If you are interested, please apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

• A cover letter outlining your interests, relevant experience, and motivation for applying to this position.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including the contact information of at least two references.

For further information regarding the workplace and the NCCR Microbiomes, please visit our relevant websites. For questions regarding the position (no applications), feel free to contact Prof. Shinichi Sunagawa (ssunagawa@ethz.ch), Dr. Hans-Joachim Ruscheweyh (hansr@ethz.ch), and Dr. Anna Sintsova (ansintsova@biol.ethz.ch).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is a global leader in science and technology education. We excel in research and promote independent thinking within a stimulating environment, bringing together over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries to tackle the world's current and future challenges.