Bioinformatician

 

Molecular Genetics
Vancouver, BC

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic directions of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

 

Reporting to the Director of Laboratory Operations, the Bioinformatician collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of clinical scientists, genomics specialists, technologists, and operational staff in the Cancer Genetics and Genomics Laboratory and oversees the implementation and maintenance of bioinformatics software, databases, annotation tools, and automated workflows. The Bioinformatician works with the team to identify and apply genetic bioinformatics tools, mine databases, adapt existing software, and optimize data analysis methods for the analysis of clinical genetics testing data, as well as develop and manage a database in support of the laboratory’s workflow. The Bioinformatician processes and analyzes genomic data, contributes to the development of reproducible and automated analysis pipelines, and creates interfaces between laboratory instrumentation, laboratory information management system (LIMS) platforms, and downstream analytical tools.

What you’ll do 

• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and customization of existing informatics resources, including software and databases, and visualization and compilation of genetic variant lists. Develop and optimize standard operating workflows, with the introduction of automation where possible ensuring quality is maintained.
• Develop and support interfaces between laboratory instruments, robotics platforms, and LIMS platforms, enabling smoother data flow, reducing manual transcription, and improving reliability.
• Enable clinical test development and validation activities by preparing datasets, generating summary statistics, automating analyses, and preparing data summaries for accreditation and ongoing quality assurance.
• Monitor relevant scientific literature and investigate potential enhancements to the bioinformatics pipeline.
• Conduct periodic review of outcome measures and assist with the preparation of laboratory quality reports.
• Collaborate with Provincial Digital Health and Information Services (PDHIS) to develop and maintain the required computing infrastructure, including ensuring adequate protection of sensitive research participant data.
• Submit data on identified sequence/copy number variants and clinical data to relevant internal and external databases

What you bring

 

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a PhD degree in Human Genetics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or Molecular Biology, with two (2) years of recent research training. Education and experience in the area of human genome analysis, including quality assurance required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within Molecular Genetics contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience in human genome analysis, including quality assurance of each step in a process.
• Demonstrated experience with programming languages, such as R, Python, Bash, Java, or their derivatives, and proven ability to learn new languages if needed.
• Experience with Linux, UNIX, Mac OS X and Windows based systems.
• Experience with version control management tools such as Git, and workflow management systems such as Nextflow, Snakemake, or similar platforms for building reproducible analysis pipelines.
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) with individuals across diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with individuals at all levels throughout the organization. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to the needs of partners.
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• Proven experience implementing computational algorithms, statistical analysis methods, data analysis software and database resources for custom analysis and building workflows.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

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: Temporary Full-Time (Until March 2028 or Until Return of Incumbent)
Salary Range: $90,770 - $130,481. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 600 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 4E6
Closing Date: Applicants accepted until position is filled
Hours of Work: 08:00-16:00/08:30-16:30/09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday
Requisition #: 197327E

 

What we do

 

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 – Create equity – Be courageous.

 

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

 

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

 

Attention current employees of PHSA:

 

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

 

The internal job posting expires on April 17, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

 

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.