Scientist, Bioinformatics
Establish our in-house bioinformatics function
bluebird bio is developing potentially transformative, one-time gene therapies for severe
genetic and orphan diseases. At the heart of bluebird bio’s product creation efforts is its
broadly applicable gene therapy platform for the development of new treatments for
diseases with few or no clinical options. bluebird bio has two clinical stage product candidates
in development, one for childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD) and one for betathalassemia major/sickle cell disease, and an early stage oncology program in partnership
with Celgene Corporation.
Join bluebird bio’s enthusiastic and collaborative Preclinical Research team by contributing to
the overall success of our novel gene therapy approach.
Primary responsibilities:
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Analysis of Next Generation Sequencing data to answer research and clinical questions
related to gene expression and copy number, somatic mutations, SNPs, indels, and
genomic rearrangements.
Participate in basic and applied research to develop biomarker diagnostics and
predictive models of patient-to-patient variability in genetic disease.
Design and modify bioinformatics tools to develop a standardized method describing
retroviral and lentiviral insertion site and copy number.
Requirements:
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PhD in bioinformatics, biostatistics, or related field with a strong background in
computer science, data science or related field and 4+ years experience in academia or
industry.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate bioinformatics data to a
multidisciplinary group and translate biological questions from the team into functional
tools and methods.
Knowledge of molecular and cellular biology and experience working with biological
data. Some laboratory experience strongly preferred.
Experience analyzing GWAS, exome screens, and transcriptomes using standard
commercial and open source software.
Advanced skills in Perl, Python, or other scripting language preferred.
The confidence to be an independent thinker, self-directed, and to take a risk and make
something new.
Ability to think strategically, balance short-term goals, and maintain flexibility.
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Superb communications—both written and oral skills and “do-what-it-takes” attitude.
Independently motivated, detail oriented and good problem solving ability.
Excellent organizational skills, sufficient to multi-task in an extremely fast-paced
environment with changing priorities.
Be ready to embrace the principles of the bluebird bio culture: b colorful, b cooperative,
and b yourself.
This is an exciting time to join the field of gene therapy in general, and to become a part of
the bluebird bio team in particular. bluebird bio is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market and trades under the symbol BLUE. We were named to the 2012
FierceBiotech Fierce 15. We offer a fast-paced, dynamic, collaborative, colorful, and
scientifically rigorous environment, with all the fun and passion that a start-up provides, plus
an excellent benefits package that includes stock options, commuter/parking benefit, etc.
bluebird bio, 150 Second Street, Cambridge, MA 02141 www.bluebirdbio.com
bluebird bio will only accept job applications from candidates who are properly documented with authorization to work in the
United States.
Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. bluebird bio is not responsible for any fees related to
resumes that are unsolicited.