Research software engineer supporting open-source bioinformatics software and services (0.6fte) at Department of BioInformatics-BiGCaT - FHML/NUTRIM

We are looking for a scientific programmer interested in joining our bioinformatics department. Your main responsibility will be to support our broad range of open-source bioinformatics software, workflows, and services. Our bioinformatics research aims to answer complex biological questions that cannot be answered with basic information sources. Our digital tools basically consist of four types of “devices”: high-quality data analysis and software, supported by modern hardware and operating systems. If these requirements are not met, researchers cannot efficiently solve the problems at hand and your role in the group is to support their work. For this position, you need to have sufficient knowledge of biology and bioinformatics in order to support ongoing development and research, but it also requires being aware of IT security and compliance with GDPR, copyright laws.

Your main tasks will include contributions to maintain and improve existing tools and services (including WikiPathways, PathVisio, BridgeDb, Cytoscape, Chemistry Development Kit), development of novel workflows, and general support with bioinformatics analyses.

• Bachelor or higher degree in computer science/bioinformatics or another relevant field;
• Good knowledge of modern software development practices including code versioning, software build systems, continuous integration, documentation, (unit) testing, etc.;
• Good knowledge and programming experience in Java, Python, and/or R;
• Experience in an agile environment is preferred;
• Technology-minded and willing to learn about new tools and technologies;
• Proven interest and demonstrable affinity for working on open-source projects;
• English proficiency and open to learn and get involved in the ongoing research at an interdisciplinary and international department.
   

What do we offer?
An attractive position within an enthusiastic work environment, with the UFO profile of ICT-manager 3 for 0,6 FTE.

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels, depending on education and relevant work experience, in salary scale 9 (between € 2968,- and a maximum of € 4078,- gross per month, based on a fulltime employment contract) according to the collective labour agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities, including 8% holiday pay and an 8,3% end of year payment. A preliminary scale might apply in case the suitable candidate has yet to develop certain professional skills.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

The Department of Bioinformatics (https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/bioinformatics) has a dedicated, young, interdisciplinary team working closely with other scientists and institutions. Founded by Prof. dr. Chris Evelo in 2001, the research group is part of the NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism at the Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences at Maastricht University.

The department is involved in (inter)national initiatives to analyse, collect, share and integrate biological data. It uses a range of new methods and tools. These include:

• high-throughput data analysis workflows
• bioinformatics and cheminformatics software
• structuring and collecting biological processes in WikiPathways
• pathway analysis in PathVisio
• network analysis in Cytoscape
• semantic web tools using RDF, ontologies, and SPARQL
• FAIR data solutions
• web services for all the above

NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism is part of the Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences of the Maastricht University. NUTRIM catalyses translational research into metabolic and chronic inflammatory disorders (i.e. metabolic syndrome/diabetes, IBD/intestinal failure and COPD) that will contribute to innovative personalized lifestyle and medicine approaches with a focus on nutrition, toxicology and metabolism. Within NUTRIM, approximately 400 scientists including 245 PhD students, and an additional 70 support staff members work interdisciplinary together in 16 Biomedical, clinical, and behavioral-science departments. Through its research master and PhD programme NUTRIM aims to educate investigators of high scientific excellence and ambassadors to support and develop this research field.

More information:

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/graduate-schools/school-nutrition-and-translational-research-metabolism

Applications should include:

• 1-2-page statement of interest, including your motivation behind applying and a specific explanation of how the applicant’s skills fit the requirements of the position;
• CV;
• Names, email addresses, and contact numbers of at least two referees who would be willing to provide letters of recommendation.

You can send your application, with the attachments, to: 
hrm-rw-vacatures@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Please mention also the vacancy number/job number (AT2021.285) in your application.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.