Associate Staff Scientist, Computational Biology & Data Science

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is a highly successful nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate cures through stem cell research.

Over the past decade, we’ve built automated infrastructure to perform cell biology at an unprecedented scale, allowing us to create some of the largest imaging-based datasets in the world. Using cell models from hundreds to thousands of donors, we are aiming to understand disease progression, unlock novel cellular phenotypes, and work to identify the patients who can benefit most from both existing and new therapeutics.

NYSCF is seeking an Associate Staff Scientist to join a growing team of data scientists and engineers in developing and deploying state-of-the-art image processing and analysis pipelines to extract disease-relevant phenotypic insights from high-content imaging experiments. In this role, you will analyze datasets of primary and stem cell-derived cell types, including neurons, beta cells, and fibroblasts. 

You are a self-motivated applicant with an advanced degree in computer sciences, bioinformatics, medical imaging, physics, biomedical engineering, or a related quantitative discipline. You have a strong background in microscopic image acquisition and/or image processing and analysis and experience in analyzing the effects of genetic or pharmacological perturbations. You will have worked with tools such as CellProfiler and computer vision libraries, including OpenCV. You have applied machine/deep learning approaches to derive insights from image-derived features.

• Apply Microscopic Imaging Expertise: Apply advanced knowledge of microscopic imaging techniques to analyze and quality control imaging datasets.
• Lead Computational Analysis: Design, implement, and optimize computational workflows for analyzing large-scale high-content imaging screens.
• Advise on experimental design: Help define experimental conditions for high-content screens, identifying and accounting for potential confounders.
• Pipeline Development: Develop and maintain robust, scalable pipelines for data preprocessing, quality control, feature extraction, and downstream analysis.
• Innovate in Computer Vision: Employ state-of-the-art computer vision methods to extract meaningful biological insights from imaging data.
• Collaborative Research: Collaborate with experimental and computational scientists to integrate imaging data with other data modalities (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics).You will be a key team member involved in projects from inception to results.
• Programming and Software Development: Write efficient, well-documented Python code for image processing, machine learning, and statistical analysis.
• Data Interpretation and Visualization: Generate compelling visualizations and statistical summaries to communicate findings to a multidisciplinary team.
• Communication: Present your results at conferences and write scientific papers.

• PhD degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., statistics, computational biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or similar) or equivalent practical experience.
•  You are 0-5 years post-completion of your PhD, where you used Python to extract and clean imaging datasets before performing exploratory and statistical data analysis (using linear models, multivariate analysis, predictive modeling and stochastic approaches).
• You have experience working with biological datasets using tools such as CellProfiler.
• Strong computer vision expertise, and proficiency in modern image processing and machine learning frameworks (e.g., OpenCV, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow) are a plus.
• Familiarity with software engineering practices and experience developing production.
• Software and using cloud computing (AWS preferred).
• Familiarity with microscopes, scientific imaging, and image analysis.
• Demonstrated willingness to teach others and learn new techniques.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills. 

• Familiarity with scientific image analysis tools (ImageJ, FIJI).
• Familiarity with cell biology.

At NYSCF, we believe diversity in all forms makes us a better team, and we celebrate it. Yet studies have shown that women, people of color, and other minoritized individuals in STEM may be less likely to apply to jobs where they do not meet all of the criteria. Therefore, if you are excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We offer all full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that goes into effect on the first of the month following your start date. It includes a choice of medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan with 2% employer match (immediate vesting schedule which starts after your first 90 days), short and long term insurance, life insurance, inclusive paid parental leave program, pretax transit and parking, legal aid benefits and wellness benefits. Our paid time off includes vacation, sick, personal days, flexible holidays, summer flex program, and all company holidays. If a visa is required, NYSCF will cover all of those costs. Relocation will sometimes be necessary; therefore, we will provide you with an allowance. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification upon hire.  

NYSCF is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We provide equal opportunities to all applicants for employment without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The position is based at our location in Manhattan.

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Please be mindful of the following:

·       NYSCF will only reach out to you through an “@nyscf.org” email address.

·       Other than your email address or telephone number, which you may provide via a job application portal, NYSCF will never ask you to provide personally identifiable information about yourself (such as a Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number) via a messaging application (like that used on the LinkedIn platform or Microsoft Teams or Zoom).

·       NYSCF will conduct interviews face-to-face over Zoom or in person.

·       All job postings will be listed on NYSCF's official career page (nyscf.org/careers). If someone contacts you about a job or position that is not listed on the official career page, please contact the NYSCF recruitment team at the contact information below.

·       If you have any questions regarding the validity of a recruitment inquiry or an interview, please contact the NYSCF’s recruitment team at jobs@nyscf.org to confirm before proceeding.