Bioinformatics Specialist @ Mcgill

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Position Summary:

The McGill mRNA Therapeutics Platform is seeking a highly skilled Bioinformatics Specialist in bioinformatics and RNA Engineering to lead and develop the Platform’s computational RNA-engineering pipeline. The Bioinformatics Specialist will be responsible for the computational design, analysis, and optimization of mRNA constructs supporting the Platform’s research and translational programs, including projects funded through D2R, Médicament Québec, and the Gates Foundation. The work will encompass mRNA sequence and regulatory-element engineering, computational workflow development, integration of transcriptomic and other large-scale datasets, and the design and analysis of RNA libraries and screening strategies.

Working under the supervision of the Platform Manager and experimental team, the Bioinformatics Specialist will translate biological and therapeutic objectives into rational mRNA designs and use experimental data to iteratively improve RNA therapeutics performance. The successful candidate will work with academic, clinical, and industry collaborators and contribute to the continued development of the Platform’s RNA-engineering capabilities, scientific outputs, and intellectual property.

Primary Responsibilities:

Computational RNA Design and Engineering

• Lead the computational design and optimization of mRNA constructs for vaccines and other therapeutic mRNA applications. • Design and optimize 5′ and 3′ UTRs, coding sequences, and other sequence and regulatory features influencing RNA stability, translation, localization, and expression. • Develop rational and data-driven strategies for improving mRNA performance across different therapeutic applications and cellular contexts. • Design RNA libraries and screening strategies to identify and prioritize regulatory elements and optimized constructs. • Integrate computational predictions and experimental results to support iterative design-build-test cycles for mRNA optimization.

Bioinformatics and Data-Driven RNA Engineering

• Develop, implement, and maintain reproducible computational workflows for RNA sequence design, analysis, annotation, and optimization. • Analyze NGS, transcriptomic, and other multi-omic datasets to identify sequence features and regulatory principles relevant to RNA engineering. • Integrate internal experimental datasets with publicly available biological and genomic resources to inform construct design. • Analyze RNA-engineering screens and other high-throughput datasets and translate findings into experimentally testable designs. • Perform appropriate statistical analysis, visualization, interpretation, and documentation of computational results.

Platform Scientific Development and Collaboration

• Take scientific ownership of the computational RNA-engineering pipeline across Platform projects, in close coordination with the Platform Manager and experimental team. • Work directly with Platform investigators and academic, clinical, and industry partners to translate project objectives into appropriate RNA-engineering strategies. • Collaborate with CGEn and other computational and genomics partners on sequencing, bioinformatics, and large-scale data-analysis components of Platform projects. • Contribute to experimental design, troubleshooting, interpretation of results, and prioritization of subsequent engineering cycles. • Contribute to the development and implementation of new RNA-engineering approaches and capabilities for the Platform. • Provide computational and RNA-engineering guidance to students, trainees, and research personnel.

Scientific Outputs and Knowledge Translation

• Prepare scientific analyses, reports, presentations, and technical documentation arising from Platform projects. • Contribute to manuscripts, grant applications, and reports associated with the Platform and its funded programs. • Contribute to the identification, documentation, and development of potentially patentable RNA sequences, engineering approaches, and other intellectual property. • Maintain clear and reproducible records of computational workflows, design decisions, and analyses appropriate for collaborative and translational projects.

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, RNA Biology, or a closely related field. • Strong background in RNA biology, post-transcriptional gene regulation, genomics, or computational analysis of RNA. • Demonstrated experience in bioinformatics and analysis of NGS and/or RNA-sequencing datasets. • Ability to integrate biological knowledge, computational analysis, and experimental data to formulate and test mechanistic or engineering hypotheses. • Proficiency in R and/or Python and experience working in Unix/Linux or Bash environments and developing reproducible computational workflows. • Experience with statistical analysis, visualization, and interpretation of complex biological datasets. • Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise scientific judgment while collaborating effectively with experimental scientists and multidisciplinary teams. • Strong scientific communication and writing skills, including experience contributing to publications, reports, or research proposals. • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent scientific projects.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be particularly valuable:

• mRNA therapeutics, RNA engineering, or computational RNA sequence design; RNA regulatory elements, including 5′ and 3′ UTRs, and determinants of RNA stability, translation, localization, or expression; design or analysis of RNA libraries and high-throughput screening strategies; transcriptomic or multi-omic data integration; sequence optimization or computational design of therapeutic nucleic acids; collaborative translational research involving academic, clinical, or industry partners.

As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible) • Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible) • Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) • Competitive vacation policy • Two (2) personal days • Two (2) floating holidays • Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day • Paid time off over the December holiday period • Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents • Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4 on a scale of 0-4.

For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.