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RESEARCH CONSULTANT

Employer
University of Washington
Location
Seattle, Washington, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Sep 17, 2021

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Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Informatics / GIS
Discipline
Energy
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Full time
University of Washington Human Resources

If you are using a screen reader and experience any difficulty accessing our web pages, please call 206-543-2544 or email UWHires and we will be happy to assist you. jump to content

Salary: Salary and benefits are competitive. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

POSITION PURPOSE
The Center for Conservation Biology in the Biology Department at the University of Washington is seeking a highly qualified data analyst who will analyze ecological, genetic and forensic data to address complex forensic and research problems. A major part of this position involves construction and analysis of social networks relating genetic and forensic data from international wildlife smuggling operations, as well as GIS analyses of ecological data.

POSITION COMPLEXITIES AND IMPACT
The Center uses innovative field and laboratory techniques to non-invasively study and monitor a wide variety of wildlife populations around the world. Our primary forensic projects use microsatellite DNA fragment and sequence analyses to identify the locations of major elephant and pangolin poaching hotspots across Africa over time. We also use these tools for sample matching to link transnational criminal organizations to multiple large ivory shipments. Our main wildlife monitoring programs examine: (a) impacts of wolf recovery on the distributions, diets, microbiome and physiological health of sympatric predators and prey in Washington State and (b) impacts of prey loss, toxin and vessel traffic exposure on orca and baleen whales in the Salish Sea. The Center works closely with state, federal and international governments, law enforcement, and non-government organizations

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Analytics: (80%)
Develop and validate methods for constructing social networks of individuals and groups involved in wildlife crime, based on genetic and forensic data, with the goal of understanding the structure of these networks, roles of the participants, and how the operations are distributed in space and change over time.
Develop data visualization techniques to display these networks for multiple audiences including researchers, law enforcement, and the courts. Assist other group members in constructing effective visualizations for their projects.
Participate in extending current microsatellite DNA-based location assignment and relationship inference methods to SNP data.
Investigate how to integrate and interpret diverse data sets collected over large spatial scales with highly varied error components and develop data collection, storage, and analysis instruments for integrating and interpreting these diverse data sets.
Conduct GIS analyses of ecological data to feed into resource selection and other analyses.
Prepare results for reports, publications and/or presentations.
Contribute to research study design including methodology and analysis for grant proposals.
Other duties may be assigned.

Data Management: (20%)
Develop robust procedures for storing and backing up large amounts of previous and new genetic and forensic data.
Contribute to archival and documentation of both in-house and third-party software resources.
Contribute to development of database capabilities for genetic and forensic data

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
BS in bioinformatics, genetics, computer science, biostatistics or related field.
3 years of experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Solid understanding of genetics, computer programing and biostatistics.
Strong data visualization skills
Excellent GIS skills
Ability to utilize computational tools in common scripting languages (e.g R, C++, Python , SQL, Perl or Java).
Ability to manage projects and solve problems independently.
Excellent collaboration skills with interdisciplinary teams.
Strong written and oral communication skills.

DESIRED:
MS, PhD., or foreign equivalent, in bioinformatics, genetics, computer science, biostatistics or related fields
Previous experience with social or forensic network analysis.
Previous experience with data visualization techniques and best practices

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
On occasion, it will be necessary to respond immediately to urgent questions from the P.I. and other managers if problems arise that impact the workflow or deadlines for the Center - these are not uncommon and occasionally require that extra hours be worked on a given day.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law .

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu .

Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14.1 , employees of higher education and healthcare institutions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than October 18, 2021 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. Updated information about how to provide proof of vaccination or request a medical or religious accommodation will be posted as soon as it is known.

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