Assistant Bioinformatics Coordinator - BC Cancer - Vancouver

Assistant Bioinformatics Coordinator

BC Cancer

Vancouver, BC

The Assistant Bioinformatics Coordinator provides supervision and technical support to the Bioinformatics group of the Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) by performing duties such as overseeing, monitoring and directing work of designated staff, clarifying job expectations, making hiring recommendations, monitoring and providing performance feedback, ensures standards, guidelines and practices are communicated and incorporated into work processes. Ensures that the day-to-day activities of the Bioinformatics group meet the quality and quantity of service required of the GSC to meet research and clinical data analysis throughput and software development objectives.

What you'll do

• Assist the Bioinformatics Coordinator and/or Bioinformatics Group Leader in the day-to-day activities of the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as providing input on quantity and quality of work, and making recommendations for improvements, workflow and procedures.
• Coordinate projects of the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as chairing project-specific meetings and provides project status reports to the Bioinformatics Coordinator and/or Bioinformatics Group Leader with suggestions towards any required improvement of project management, task allocation and overall process.
• Develop and implements assays to monitor project progress and measure project accomplishments to ensure that appropriate project focus is maintained and to provide feedback to staff.
• Provide supervision to staff in the Bioinformatics group by performing duties such as: 

• Assigning daily tasks, establishing work schedules, and clarifying job expectations for staff.
• Reviewing and establishing work priorities and adjusting work schedules to ensure operational needs and priorities are met.
• Providing input to the supervisor on training requirements and skill enhancement.
• Providing input to the supervisor on the establishment of clear definitions of responsibility for employees.
• Assessing and monitoring performance. Completing performance reviews and addressing performance issues in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator and/or Bioinformatics Group Leader.
• Organizing the orientation and training of new staff by reviewing departmental expectations and policies and procedures and demonstrating work methods or procedures. Provides feedback to the Bioinformatics Coordinator regarding progress and training/orientation requirements.

• Participate in the recruitment of staff through methods such as screening applications, interviewing internal and external applicants and provides hiring recommendations.
• Participates in the development and implementation of quality assurance programs to ensure services are provided in the most efficient and effective way by performing duties such as:
• • Monitoring quality and quantity of service and information provided by the Bioinformatics group and identifying areas for change and/or improvement.
  • Generating test metrics to evaluate progress of research and clinical programs and production processes.
• Assesses practical needs for identified research and clinical direction of the GSC in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator and/or Bioinformatics Group Leader.
• Participate in a variety of meetings including bioinformatics team meetings, software design and development, quality management and meetings with collaborators by performing duties such as providing and/or receiving information and contributing to decision making.
• Participate, in conjunction with the Bioinformatics Coordinator and/or Bioinformatics Group Leader in determining the computer infrastructure necessary for successful completion of projects and ensured viability of clinical and research programs by performing duties such as providing input and recommendations regarding purchasing decisions related to hardware, software and related items for the Bioinformatics platform.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Graduation from a recognized Bachelor’s program in a related discipline such as Biochemistry, Genetics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Physics.
• A minimum of four (4) years of recent related experience, including one (1) year of experience in a supervisory/leadership capacity and experience in computer programming and quantitative data analysis, handling biological sequence and/or mapping data, database development and data storage schemas, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the GSC Group Leaders.

You have:

• Experience with computer operating systems such as Linux, UNIX.
• Demonstrated ability to work with software such as Python, R, Postgres, MySQL, Javascript, React.js, Node.js.
• Demonstrated ability to work with enterprise issue tracking and wiki software such as JIRA and Confluence.
• Ability to supervise and lead staff and schedule work.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work and prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, manage time, and work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational, leadership interpersonal and communication skills.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities impacting indigenous communities and familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety and anti-racism and accompanying reports (BC DRIPA, TRC, etc.).

What we bring 

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type:  Regular, Full-Time

Wage: $39.52-$49.32 per hour.

Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5Z 1G1 

Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work:  Monday-Friday; 0830-1630

Requisition Number: 176797E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia.

BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority ( PHSA ) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:  jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Reconciliation is an ongoing process and a shared responsibility for all of us. The BC Governments’ unanimous passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act was a significant step forward in this journey—one that all health authorities are expected to support as we work in cooperation with Indigenous Peoples to establish a clear and sustainable path to lasting reconciliation. True reconciliation will take time and ongoing commitment to work with Indigenous Peoples as they move toward self-determination. Guiding these efforts Crown agencies must remain focused on creating opportunities that implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Mandate.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position,  you must apply online via your internal profile at 

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of December 20, 2024 . If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position.  Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the  Internal Jobs Help Desk at View phone number on jobs.phsa.ca or View phone number on jobs.phsa.ca . Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at  View email address on jobs.phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.