CNS Genomics Lead

About the role

The CNS Genomics Lead is responsible for computational biology and bioinformatics support of the CNS group in Sana's Cambridge labs. The Genomics Lead will work closely with the in vitro and in vivo biology groups within Sana's CNS program. The Genomics Lead will both coordinate and perform the analysis of data including bulk and single cell RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, whole genome and exome sequencing, methylation sequencing, and CGH array. In addition, the Genomics specialist's responsibilities will include data management, archiving and visualization, as well as optimization of computational workflows, incorporation of new methodologies, and providing interpretable results to lab staff. The CNS Genomics Lead  will report to the SVP, Head of CNS Therapy.

You will have broad responsibilities in both managing and personally executing a variety of bioinformatic and computational workflows. You should have a sufficiently firm background in statistics, computational biology and neurogenetics to critically evaluate both experimental designs and results as well as analytic pipelines. The CNS Genomics Lead will also work closely with other bench scientists, bioinformaticians and computational biologists in Sana's technical sciences group, both advising and learning from other Sana programs as needed.

What you’ll do

• Analyze high-throughput sequencing data, including:
  • Whole genome and exome sequencing, ChiP-Seq, and targeted resequencing panels
  • RNA-seq data from tissues and cells, both bulk and single cell
  • Epigenetic (ATAC, methylation) data from tissue and cells populations. Analysis will include assessment of primary sequence data quality
• Participate in experimental design and analysis of sequencing projects. This includes application and development of novel analytical methods to meet each projects research goals, management of project milestones, and integration of multiple genomic data types
• Secondary analyses of processed data including expression profiling, pathway enrichment analysis, functional annotation, transcription factor binding site prediction, putative motif identification, and chromatin accessibility prediction
• Provide bioinformatics support and training to research groups, including use of various software for analysis of genomic data, assistance in analysis and interpretation of data sets, and recommendation of best practices for sequencing experiments
• Personnel direction and training
• Assuring the quality and integrity of all data collection and documentation by supervised staff

What we’re looking for

• PhD in neuroscience or cell biology, bioinformatics or biotechnology
• 7+ years graduate and postgraduate experience in functional genomics, with a focus on neural systems and neurogenetics
• 3+ years of post-graduate academic or industry experience in bioinformatics
• Significant expertise in and understanding of stem cell biology, with relevant publication record
• Extensive working knowledge of UNIX/Linux commands and programming skills, including in relevant computer programming languages, and in application of open-source software tools
• Experience with statistical programming and data visualization using R/Bioconductor
• Competency with Python, JAVA, Perl, and C++ strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of basic statistics, linear model building, principal component analysis, and factor analysis required
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills; strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to work in a cooperative team environment as well as independently
• Must be an effective communicator, both verbally and in writing

What you should know

• On-site at Sana’s Cambridge, MA site. Frequent off-site work acceptable; occasional cross-country and international travel possible
• Working safely on a predictable and regular basis is an essential job function for this position and the Company requires that all individuals, subject to certain exceptions, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

How we work together

• Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
• Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
• Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution

Get to know us

At Sana, we believe that a diverse workforce strengthens us as a company and helps us to achieve our mission to meaningfully change the outcome of many human diseases. This belief is a pillar of our business and is critical to our success. Our goal is that Sana is the place for talented people to bring their authentic selves to work, to have a great career and to deeply, positively impact patients.

Core to our values, we believe there is nothing more important than the health and wellness of you and your family. For benefit eligible employees, we cover 100% of the cost for employee health coverage and offer generous time-off, parental leave, short- and long-term disability, financial wellness programs, a 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, commuter subsidy and a variety of wellness offerings to support each person individually.

We are committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental or sensory disability (including the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability), genetic information, actual or perceived HIV or Hepatitis C infection, medical condition (cancer or a record or history of cancer and genetic characteristics), marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), disability, veteran status, political ideology, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

To perform this job successfully, you must be able to perform each job responsibility satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions described above.