Data Scientist III

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. These values are grounded in and expressed through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an anti-racist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, anti-racism and inclusion.

The Chief Data Officer of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Jeff Leek, established the Fred Hutch Data Science Lab (DaSL) to develop and support the overall data strategy for the organization. The mission of the Data Science Lab to ensure an effective data ecosystem at Fred Hutch by developing a modern, well documented, well implemented, overall data strategy that evolves with the needs and capabilities of those leveraging data at Fred Hutch regardless of “where they live” from the clinic to the research groups. We believe focusing on people is critical in building a strong, dynamic community united around using data to improve human health and cancer care. To do this, we aim to build a diverse, hybrid team that is inclusive, open, collaborative, and supportive both within our team and with our collaborators (find more about our values and culture). We are strong advocates for open science and reproducible research, thus develop our work in the open as much as possible. We rely heavily on written communication and continuous collaboration in order to support our hybrid team, as well as make our work as accessible as scalably and sustainably as possible by Fred Hutch staff.

The Data Scientist III supports the research data ecosystem for translational researchers via consulting on effective computing using our on-prem cluster and cloud resources by research teams, developing and sharing reproducible bioinformatic workflows, implementing support systems for research applications, building data stewardship and management skills across Fred Hutch and engaging in collaborations with IT to guide infrastructure choices and configurations. The position involves collaboration with the Fred Hutch Scientific Computing group to support pilot projects to evaluate new technologies, data-oriented applications and computing resources in the research community. This person will be involved in assessing the degree of interoperability between Fred Hutch applications in use supporting the research process with a particular focus on those holding, processing or supporting the use of data for translational research. This position in based in Seattle and some weekly on-campus component will be required but specifics are negotiable thus is considered a hybrid position.

Responsibilities

Requires significant experience with R, python, and bash as well as high performance computing using both local cluster resources and cloud based resources (preference for AWS but not required) for data analysis. Participates in DaSL’s Data House Calls advising program as a Research Computing and Research Software subject matter expert. Develops and shares reproducible bioinformatic workflows using WDL, including creating and managing the associated docker containers. Provides guidance and support for Fred Hutch infrastructure projects that involve on-prem and cloud computing, research software and computing environment management, including containerized, reproducible scientific analysis workflows. Develops templates, workflows and packages to support use of on-prem and cloud computing resources for genomics and other large scale data analysis processes.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD degree in Bioinformatics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or equivalent, with a minimum of two years of related experience.
• Proficiency in Python and/or R programming
• Core competency in at least one of the following: genomics, natural language, image processing, medical records or claims.
• Ability to prioritize written documentation and communication with attention to multiple audiences and creating broad understanding across groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with audiences with a wide range of data expertise.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change, to work independently, part of a multi-disciplinary group with DaSL staff as well as external partners.
• Experience in genomic or other large data management, curation, annotation and sharing.

Preferred qualifications:

• 5-8 years of related experience
• Biomedical research experience including the use of genomic, imaging or other large datasets in a research setting, ideally using reproducible workflows with containerized software such as WDL or nextflow.
• Experience in community building and group communication and/or mentoring.
• Experience with web application development, administration and/or user support would be a bonus.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

The annual base salary range for this position is from $120,869.00 to $191,027.00 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications. This position may be eligible for relocation assistance.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (22 days per year), paid sick leave (up to 30 calendar days per occurrence of a qualifying reason), paid holidays (up to 13 days per year), paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks), and partially paid sabbatical leave (up to 12 months for professor track faculty, up to 6 months for other scientific staff). 

Our Commitment to Diversity

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.