Job Description

Job Summary
The Data & Bioinformatics Specialist serves as the Michigan Neuroscience Institute's institute-wide expert in computational research, bioinformatics, data science, statistical analysis, and emerging artificial intelligence methodologies. Working collaboratively with faculty, trainees, research staff, and campus partners, this position develops and applies innovative computational approaches that accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen grant competitiveness, and advance high-impact neuroscience research.

As a shared institutional resource, this position supports investigators across multiple research programs by providing expertise in experimental design, data management, statistical analysis, machine learning, visualization, and reproducible computational workflows. The position partners closely with faculty throughout the research lifecycle?from study design and proposal development through publication and data sharing?and plays a key role in expanding MNI's computational research capabilities.

Responsibilities*
Computational Research & Bioinformatics
Serve as the institute's primary resource for computational analysis of complex neuroscience research data, including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, electrophysiologic, imaging, behavioral, clinical, and other multi-modal datasets. Design, develop, and maintain robust, reproducible computational workflows and bioinformatics pipelines that support high-quality research, scientific publications, and competitive grant applications. Apply appropriate statistical methodologies and analytical techniques to ensure scientific rigor, reproducibility, and meaningful interpretation of experimental findings. Collaborate with investigators to identify innovative computational approaches that enhance scientific discovery and improve research efficiency.

Data Science & Advanced Analytics
Develop and implement data science solutions that integrate diverse biological and clinical datasets. Design interactive dashboards, visualizations, and reporting tools that improve interpretation and communication of research findings. Evaluate and implement machine learning, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence approaches appropriate for neuroscience research. Identify opportunities to leverage emerging computational technologies to advance institute research priorities.

Research Consultation & Collaboration
Provide scientific consultation to investigators throughout all phases of the research lifecycle, including experimental design, statistical planning, sample size estimation, data management, computational methodology, and interpretation of results. Collaborate on multidisciplinary research initiatives as a computational subject matter expert. Contribute analytical expertise to manuscript preparation, including statistical analyses, methods development, and publication-quality figures. Support development of competitive grant proposals by contributing computational approaches, preliminary analyses, data management strategies, and methodological expertise.

Data Infrastructure & Research Computing
Promote institute-wide best practices for research data management, documentation, reproducibility, and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. Develop standardized computational workflows that improve efficiency and reduce duplication across research programs. Coordinate with Advanced Research Computing, Information Technology, Precision Health, and other university resources to ensure investigators have access to appropriate computational infrastructure. Support compliance with NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy and other sponsor requirements. Evaluate emerging software platforms, cloud computing technologies, and analytical tools that enhance institute research capabilities.

Education & Scientific Community Building
Develop educational programs, workshops, and consultation services that increase computational literacy across the institute. Provide training in statistical analysis, reproducible research practices, data visualization, coding, and bioinformatics tools. Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff in computational research methods. Foster collaboration among computational researchers across the Medical School and University of Michigan. Represent MNI on university committees and working groups focused on data science, bioinformatics, AI, and research computing.