Tenure-based Research Staff Scientist Position in Bioinformatics to Innovate Single-cell Analyses

Recent advances in high-throughput technologies for single-cell analysis, including single-cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics, epigenomics, and their combination into multi-omic platforms, have transformed the life sciences landscape. At ISTA, we implement these diverse technologies across disciplines and experimental models (e.g., Sweeney, Novarino, Heisenberg, de Bono, Siegert). One of our main challenges is to develop single-cell data analysis strategies that go beyond basic pipelines, are adapted to the specific needs of each research group, and are tailored to gain new scientific insight.

We therefore seek an exceptional bioinformatic research expert at an advanced postdoctoral level who enjoys working across topics and will:

• Develop and apply advanced computational methodologies to gain fundamental biological insight in the context of diverse single-cell datasets.
• Collaborate with research groups to bring projects to completion including preparation of manuscripts for publication and presentations at scientific conferences.
• Train next generation of scientists in advanced bioinformatic analysis strategies (graduate-school level).

Staff Scientists at ISTA (www.ista.ac.at) pursue collaborative projects on fundamental research questions raised across different research groups on campus, providing advanced and transformative scientific and technical expertise normally absent within research groups, which advances the research outcome to the next level. This position requires high independence and facilitates interaction between research groups, the Bioinformatics Support Team, and the Life Sciences Facilities at ISTA.  The position will be associated with ISTA’s Scientific Computing Facility. 25% of the time is allocated to pursuing own research interests. The position is initially limited by 5 years and is evaluated in a tenure-based system on the research output based on the contribution to the research groups and co-authorships.

Your Profile

• Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience in statistics, computational biology or single cell analyses.
• Direct experience with advanced approaches for single cell transcriptomic, epigenomic or multi-omic data analysis is required. Specific expertise in harmonizing single and multi-modal publicly available datasets; performing targeted analysis of specific molecular interactions within these datasets; and comparing data sets across species or disease conditions would be a bonus.
• Proven technical proficiency at the highest level, as demonstrated by previous experience and cutting-edge research publications during and after Ph.D.
• Expert level programmer in at least one high-level language and proficient in the scientific-software development stack, including high-performance cluster computing.
• Proficient in English, the working language at ISTA, and exceptional communication skills, both oral and written
• Multi-project management acumen and a proven team player attitude is crucial for this position

Please submit your application online at https://apply.ista.ac.at/bioinformatics_2025