About Company
Hospital Universitario de Basurto, part of the Osakidetza (Basque Health Service) network, is a venerable and highly respected institution in Bilbao, Spain, serving as a beacon of healthcare excellence, medical education, and innovative research for over a century. Established in 1908, our hospital is committed to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care while advancing medical knowledge through cutting-edge scientific inquiry. We host a diverse array of medical specialties and are actively engaged in clinical trials and basic science research, particularly in areas like oncology, cardiovascular diseases, neurology, and infectious diseases. Our research initiatives are supported by a dedicated team of clinicians, scientists, and support staff, leveraging modern facilities and advanced technological platforms. At Hospital Universitario de Basurto, we foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment where continuous learning, professional development, and a shared commitment to improving public health are paramount. Joining our team means becoming part of a legacy of innovation and compassionate care, contributing directly to the well-being of the Basque community and beyond. We are proud of our integral role in the regional health system and our contribution to global medical advancements.
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Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic Bioinformatics Specialist to join the vibrant research division at Hospital Universitario de Basurto. This pivotal role will be instrumental in enhancing our capabilities to analyze complex biological and clinical datasets, directly contributing to advancements in patient care, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, implementation, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for processing and interpreting high-throughput data, including genomics, transcriptomics, and potentially proteomics and metabolomics, derived from clinical samples and research projects. You will work in close collaboration with medical doctors, clinical researchers, and laboratory scientists, providing expert computational analysis and transforming raw data into meaningful biological and clinical insights. Your tasks will include data quality control, statistical analysis, data visualization, and the development of custom scripts to address specific research questions. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply bioinformatics expertise in a direct clinical context, impacting patient outcomes and contributing to translational research. We are looking for a proactive individual with strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to rigorous scientific methodology. The role demands excellent communication abilities to effectively convey complex bioinformatics results to a diverse audience of medical professionals and scientists. If you are passionate about leveraging bioinformatics to solve real-world health challenges, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact within a leading healthcare institution.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic datasets from clinical samples.
- Perform statistical analysis and data mining on complex biological and clinical data to identify significant patterns and medical insights.
- Collaborate closely with medical doctors, clinical researchers, and laboratory scientists to design experiments, manage data, and interpret results in a clinical context.
- Provide expert bioinformatics support, training, and consultation to research groups within the hospital.
- Develop and maintain custom scripts and software tools in languages like Python, R, or Perl for data processing and visualization.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and clinical databases, and integrate new methodologies into existing workflows.
- Prepare detailed reports, visualizations, and presentations of analytical findings for internal medical and scientific audiences.
- Contribute to the writing of scientific manuscripts, clinical reports, and grant applications.
- Ensure data quality, integrity, and adherence to privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) and FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
Required Skills
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Perl.
- Strong understanding of statistical methods applicable to biological and clinical data.
- Extensive experience with bioinformatics tools and public/private databases (e.g., NCBI, UCSC Genome Browser, dbSNP, Ensembl).
- Demonstrated experience in analyzing next-generation sequencing data (e.g., RNA-seq, Whole Genome/Exome Sequencing).
- Familiarity with Linux/Unix operating systems and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and critical thinking in a clinical research setting.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary medical team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, or a related field.
- Experience with proteomics or metabolomics data analysis, especially in clinical applications.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) for large-scale data processing.
- Knowledge of machine learning techniques applied to medical and biological data.
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).
- Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, particularly those with a clinical focus.
- Proficiency in Spanish or Basque is a plus, but not required.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, aligned with public sector guidelines.
- Comprehensive health and social security benefits as part of the Osakidetza system.
- Opportunities for professional development, specialized training, and attending medical/scientific conferences.
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and cutting-edge technology within a major hospital setting.
- A stimulating, collaborative, and mission-driven research environment focused on patient impact.
- Work-life balance initiatives typical of a public health institution.
- Located in the vibrant and culturally rich city of Bilbao, with excellent public transport links.
- Contribution to meaningful translational research that directly benefits patient health.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application, including a detailed CV, a cover letter outlining their research interests, relevant experience in a clinical or biomedical context, and contact information for three professional references. Please apply directly through the Osakidetza official career portal by clicking the link below. Ensure all documents are in English and merged into a single PDF file if possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
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