Posting Details

I. DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Job Description Summary:

The Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health is seeking a collaborative and experienced Bioinformatics Specialist II to support research in microbial genomics and the human microbiome within a public health and
translational research setting.

The Specialist will join a dynamic Molecular Epidemiology and Microbiome research group that investigates the impact of environmental and occupational exposures on human health, with a focus on microbiome-mediated modulation of innate immune responses and downstream susceptibility to inflammatory and infectious diseases. The group also studies the emergence, evolution, and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens across human, animal, and environmental systems, and their implications for human health within a One Health framework.

As a Bioinformatics Specialist II, the candidate will be a Senior Bioinformatics Specialist and will lead and execute complex, reproducible analyses of microbial genomic, microbiome, and epidemiologic datasets; develop and refine analytical pipelines; and contribute substantively to study design and interpretation. The position offers significant opportunities to lead analytical
components of peer-reviewed publications, mentor students, and work closely with senior investigator and interdisciplinary collaborators to shape the scientific direction of projects in molecular epidemiology and microbiome research

Key Responsibilities

Host–Microbiome–Innate Immunity Analytics
- Apply metagenomic, single-cell, and bulk transcriptomics approaches to characterize how microbiome composition and function modulate innate immune responses, and how immune-mediated pressures in turn reshape microbial communities and influence host susceptibility to infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Molecular Epidemiology of Antimicrobial Resistance (One Health)

Develop and apply analytic pipelines integrating genomic and epidemiologic data to study the emergence, evolution, and transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens across human, animal, and environmental reservoirs, with emphasis on resistance determinants, population structure, and transmission networks.

Synergistic Integration of Microbiome and AMR Research

Integrate microbiome–immune analysis, microbial ecology, and molecular epidemiology frameworks to elucidate how immune-driven and ecological selection pressures contribute to pathogen fitness, antimicrobial resistance emergence, and spread across interconnected One Health systems.

Quantitative Modeling and Translation

Use bioinformatics, statistics, data science, and machine learning to build risk models and surveillance tools that connect host immunity, microbial ecology, and pathogen transmission dynamics, enabling targeted interventions, prevention strategies, and policy-relevant insights.

Maintain and update bioinformatics pipelines and workflows. Perform data management, quality control, and documentation to ensure reproducible analyses. Work in a high-performance computing (HPC) environment. Work closely with principal investigators (Drs. Lance Price and Cindy Liu), senior scientists, and other members of the wet and dry lab team at ARAC to facilitate project management, study design, data curation and analysis. Work closely with external collaborators at other institutions to facilitate data curation and analysis for multi-omic datasets and clinical studies Contribute to abstracts, posters, and manuscripts for scientific publications and presentations. Assist with training students or staff in bioinformatics methods, as appropriate.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 5 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

MS in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related quantitative field with 5 or more years of experience, or PhD with demonstrated research productivity preferred.
Demonstrated experience analyzing genomics and/or multi-omics datasets, preferably in microbiology, microbiome science, infectious disease, or antimicrobial resistance research.
Proficiency in R and/or Python, with working knowledge of Bash or similar scripting environments for data processing and pipeline development.
Experience with working in high-performance computing (HPC) environments using version control systems (e.g., GitHub), and developing reproducible, well-documented analytical workflows.
Demonstrated peer-reviewed publication record required, including at least one first-author publication or clear evidence of leading analytical components of published studies.
Strong conceptual understanding of microbial genomics, microbial ecology, and evolutionary processes, including relevance to host interactions or pathogen transmission.
Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment, interacting with biologists and clinicians.

Hiring Range

$61,899.53 - $100,660.14

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. POSITION INFORMATION

Campus Location:

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH)

Family

Research and Labs

Sub-Family

Bioinformatics

Stream

Individual Contributor

Level

Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time

Hours Per Week:

Work Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Hybrid

Telework:

Yes

Required Background Check

Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status. The Limited term of this appointment is until 12/23/26 at this time, with the potential to extend the appointment terms or become a permanent position.

Internal Applicants Only?

Posting Number:

R002364

Job Open Date:

01/12/2026

Job Close Date:

Background Screening

Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

George Washington University

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