Job Summary: Zymo Research is seeking a Bioinformatics Scientist to join the Epigenetics Technology team and lead computational development for epigenomics and molecular assay research. The scientist will curate datasets, discover and evaluate candidate methylation biomarkers, develop statistical models, and build reproducible analysis pipelines in close collaboration with experimental scientists.
This role combines epigenomics, statistical modeling, and software development. The scientist will guide computational strategy, define analytical performance criteria, and support targeted assay development, independent validation, and transfer into scalable research products.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Own the computational roadmap for assigned research and assay development projects, defining deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, data needs, and technical risks. Coordinate priorities and dependencies with experimental scientists and support bioinformatics teams.
- Curate public and internal epigenomic datasets (methylation, hydroxymethylation). Document sample provenance, quality, relevant metadata, assay platform, genome build, and usage permissions; maintain versioned datasets with clear inclusion and quality criteria.
- Discover and prioritize candidate molecular markers and differentially methylated regions. Evaluate specificity, biological variability, common sequence variants, repetitive regions, assay compatibility, and stability across relevant sample and biological conditions.
- Develop and benchmark statistical models for molecular profiling and epigenetic biomarker analysis. Evaluate feature selection, model assumptions, uncertainty and performance supported by the available data.
- Contribute to other projects requiring relevant scientific and technical expertise.
Pipeline Development and Validation - Build reproducible pipelines for methylation sequencing and relevant reference array datasets, covering quality control, alignment, methylation quantification, filtering, annotation, and reporting. Evaluate conversion efficiency, mapping ambiguity, duplicates, coverage, and batch effects using controls appropriate to each assay.
- Co-design targeted methylation panels with the assay team. Perform in silico assessment of primers, probes, and hybridization capture baits for sequence specificity, common variants, conversion-related sequence changes, and cross-hybridization; use empirical enrichment and coverage data to refine panel design.
- Benchmark analytical methods using reference standards, simulations, and independent sample sets. Separate model development, marker selection, and validation by biological source; assess bias, error, agreement, reproducibility, and robustness.
- Assess robustness to sequencing depth, missing data, DNA input, dataset selection, platform differences, batch effects, and relevant biological variation. Use validated harmonization approaches and prevent information leakage across development and validation datasets.
- Define quantitative reporting metrics, calibration approaches, quality thresholds, and validated reporting ranges. Document uncertainty, investigate unexpected results, and communicate analytical limitations.
- Implement automated quality checks, failure flags, versioned reports, and traceable software releases. Use code review, tests, workflow automation, and documented environments to support reproducibility and technical transfer; communicate model limitations clearly to scientific and product teams.
Additional Responsibilities - Provide technical guidance and code review for collaborating scientists and junior bioinformatics staff. Maintain clear analysis documentation, contribute to publications and invention disclosures, and support product and customer-facing technical discussions as needed for relevant projects.
Education and Experience: - Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, genomics, or a related discipline, with demonstrated independent ownership of substantial computational research or product development projects.
- Strong experience analyzing DNA (hydroxy)methylation or epigenomic data, including sequencing-based quantification, quality control, and biological interpretation.
- Experience with statistical modeling, biomarker discovery, or closely related quantitative methods, including rigorous study design, feature selection, and independent model validation.
Required Technical Skills - Proficiency in Python and R, Linux or Unix, statistical analysis, and scientific visualization. Experience building maintainable analysis code with version control, automated tests, and documented workflows.
- Experience processing Illumina sequencing data, managing large genomic datasets, and developing scalable workflows using high-performance or cloud computing environments.
- Experience with epigenomic biomarker discovery, dataset curation, method benchmarking, or statistical model optimization.
- Strong communication skills and evidence of original scientific contributions through publications/posters, validated analytical methods, or deployed analysis tools (e.g. GitHub). Ability to explain uncertainty and analytical tradeoffs to multidisciplinary collaborators.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with targeted methylation sequencing, hybridization capture panel design, multiplex primer or probe design, or analysis of methylation-sensitive qPCR or digital PCR data.
- Experience analyzing DNA variants/SNPs using NGS data and appropriate quality control and validation methods.
- Experience comparing molecular assay results with independent measurements and assessing analytical agreement, bias, and reproducibility.
- Experience with cross-platform methylation analysis (Nanopore/PacBio), low-input assays, uncertainty estimation, workflow engines, or transfer of analytical methods into supported research products.
Compensation, Benefits, and Perks: The estimated base compensation range for this position is $85,000-115,000 per annum at the time of posting. Actual compensation details will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.
Zymo Research also offers competitive benefits and perks including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverages
- EAP Sessions
- Vacation Time plus Company Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave
- Generous 401(K) with matching
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages
- Complimentary catered lunches on Thursdays
- Complimentary EV Charging
- Cell phone stipend
Location: Onsite - Zymo Research HQ - 17062 Murphy Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
