Biocurator position at Xenbase

Curator position at Xenbase, the Xenopus Model Organism database

Xenbase (www.xenbase.org) is the Xenopus bioinformatics and genomics resource. Xenopus is a major model for fundamental cell and developmental biology and a model for human disease. Xenbase is a totally free, and globally accessible database, used by Xenopus researchers worldwide, and is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Xenbase has two performance sites: the curation team is based in Cincinnati, OH (PI: Dr. Aaron Zorn) and the developer/database management team is based at the University of Calgary in Canada (PI Dr. Peter Vize).

Xenbase is seeking to fill 1 full time Curation position to join the curation team at the Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Curation positions offer a challenging job away from the wet-lab and research bench, where interpreting, annotating and displaying complex data is our main task. Curators also develop strategies to improve data curation; work to improve data display/querying on the website; interact with our user community at research conferences; develop programming skills; and contribute to Xenbase publications.

Job Description:
• Curation and annotation of published Xenopus scientific literature, focusing on gene expression and the extraction of other research data: genes, transgenic constructs, antibodies, morpholinos, phenotypes, genetic interactions, gene product functions and models of human disease.
• Import and annotate data from large-scale screens (e.g., loss-of-function morpholino screens, gain-of-function mRNA screens).
• Help develop new features: curation and processing of public and directly submitted RNA-seq and ChIP-seq NGS data from Xenopus experiments, curation of mutant phenotypes and transgenics; implementing GO annotations.
• Co-author reports and publications, and give presentations at national and international meetings/workshops.

Qualifications:
• MSc or PhD degree in bioinformatics and/or developmental biology, genomics, genetics, molecular biology, zoology, anatomy or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to produce scientific papers, reports and presentations
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team as well as independently, efficiently (i.e., both quickly and accurately) and be self-motivated
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English.

Preference will be given to an applicant with:
• Experience with a bioinformatics, genomics or model organism database
• Experience in data annotation/biocuration, knowledge of relational databases, and familiarity with ontologies.
• Experience in Xenopus or other vertebrate (mouse, zebrafish or chick) developmental biology.
• Experience in analyzing genomics data, using GRN software, genome browsers and common bioinformatics tools.

How to Apply: 
Please submit your application to: aaron.zorn@cchmc.org
with the following information:
• A cover letter, including a statement of interest/purpose
• CV/Resume.
• Copy of your degree(s).
• List 3 references/referees whom we may contact (please include their postal address, email and phone number).

Salary and Start Date:
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Start date is negotiable, but expected to be in late 2017.

The successful applicants will be employees of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and will undergo background checks, orientation and a 6-month probationary period. Employees are required to receive an annual flu vaccination.  
More information about working at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and living in Cincinnati, can be found here: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/careers/working/default/

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