Biomedical Data Curator

At Sage Bionetworks, we believe that we can learn more by engaging and collaborating with people from a diversity of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We develop and apply open practices to data-driven research for the advancement of human health. We are working to establish actionable biomedical observations through the reliable analysis and responsible sharing of representative data. By improving the way scientists collaborate and by increasing the reliability of research, we will improve human health.

If you have a passion for and are enthusiastic about collaborative and reproducible research, metadata, making research FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), have knowledge of data modeling processes,, and sufficient knowledge in the biomedical domain, then we want to hear from you!

We are seeking an individual to support the curation of biomedical data resources related to several NIH cancer research programs. In this role you will contribute to the curation and distribution of ”omics” and other data and research resources from funded grants. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about collaborative and reproducible research, knowledgeable of metadata and its role in in the FAIRness of data reuse, experience in data modeling and data wrangling, and a basic knowledge of biomolecular research to support these cancer data coordination efforts

What you’ll be doing: (key job responsibilities)

  • Work within a team of data managers, scientists, and engineers  to curate, distribute, and publicize highly-dimensional biomedical datasets and other research resources such as software tools, bench tools, and publications coming from multiple NIH supported programs.
  • Lead the development and documentation of metadata standards for sharing research resources including datasets, publications, software tools, etc. under the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR) guiding principles.
  • Independently develop, implement or extend data models/schemas in coordination with project leads and stakeholders.
  • Independently develop new processes for maintaining and growing data models to meet the strategic needs of the research community.
  • Lead efforts to streamline curation processes and implement new methods using scripting.
  • Manage access to sensitive datasets in collaboration with the Sage data governance team.
  • Document data ingestion processes and curation SOPs. Write data release notes. Produce data reports.

We’d love to hear from you if: (basic skills/qualifications)

  • Have a master’s degree in library and/or information science, biological or computational field, OR a bachelor’s degree with 4+ years of relevant work experience. Experience working with high-dimensional data is preferred.
  • Have experience and/or knowledge of metadata and its impact in the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of resources.
  • Have experience and/or knowledge of data modeling. Knowledge of relational data modeling is a plus.
  • Have experience working with common biomedical data types derived from disease model systems and patients. Experience with gene expression and other omics data is preferred.
  • Have an interest in learning about new high-throughput biological technologies.
  • Are proficient in, or willing to learn, a scripting language such as Python or R.
  • Have a basic understanding of SQL.
  • Have a basic understanding of JSON.
  • Are able to prioritize, multi-task, and work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Has clear technical writing and informative documentation
  • Are able to work individually and within a team.
  • Are passionate about open science and collaboration.
  • Can work under deadlines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and those that may be required occasionally. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Routinely required to sit; walk; talk and hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; may stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
  • May require travel dependent on company needs.
  • Can work under deadlines.
  • Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

About Sage Bionetworks 

Sage Bionetworks is a nonprofit biomedical research and technology development organization that was founded in Seattle in 2009. Our focus is to develop and apply open practices to data-driven research for the advancement of human health. Data-driven research has become an important component of biomedicine, but it’s not always easy to understand how to apply computational approaches appropriately or how to interpret their results. Sage believes open practices can help. Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers work together to provide researchers access to technology tools and scientific approaches to share data, benchmarked methods, and explore collective insights, all backed by Sage’s gold-standard governance protocols and commitment to user-centered design. Sage is supported through a portfolio of competitive research grants, commercial partnerships, and philanthropic contributions.

At Sage, we have a distributed workforce and support remote and/or on-site hybrid work arrangements within the United States. All interviews will be conducted virtually unless otherwise communicated.

Sage Bionetworks is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit package, competitive to both commercial and not-for-profit life science organizations. The plan includes: health, dental, vision, life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Long Term Disability benefits; paid time off; a retirement plan; flexible spending accounts; a shared incentives plan, voluntary Long Term Care insurance, and other voluntary products. Additional information can found here: Benefits – Sage Bionetworks

At Sage we engage equitable workplace strategies to ensure fair compensation. Actual compensation is dependent upon current market data, experience, and pay parity within our organization. This position is an Professional level position, with a compensation range of $75,658 to $101,193.

Associate Director, Team Science

At Sage Bionetworks, we believe that we can learn more by engaging and collaborating with people from a diversity of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We develop and apply open practices to data-driven research for the advancement of human health. We are working to establish actionable biomedical observations through the reliable analysis and responsible sharing of representative data. By improving the way scientists collaborate and by increasing the reliability of research, we will improve human health.

We are hiring an Associate Director of Team Science on Sage’s Scientific Coordination and Community Engagement (SCCE) team. We are looking for someone who is passionate about team science, has experience with qualitative and quantitative program evaluation, and has collaborated with large multidisciplinary scientific teams.

The perfect candidate for this role will lead the development of a Team Science program at Sage that is focused on building and supporting a research culture and environment conducive to interdisciplinary research collaborations. As part of this goal, we aim to train researchers about effective collaborations, develop evaluation frameworks and metrics that we can use to assess the impact of our team science activities, implement strategies to incorporate DEI in research, and also disseminate best practices in team science to the broader research community. The Associate Director of Team Science will work under the direction of the Director of Science Coordination and Community Engagement to help grow the Team Science program.

Key job responsibilities:

  • Lead a small team focused on developing and supporting the team science program
  • Design evidence-based trainings and facilitate training in team science for researchers at all career stages
  • Develop evidence-based team science strategies; testing interventions in Sage-supported scientific consortia
  • Develop metrics and evaluation tools to assess team science program impact
  • Create plans to promote collaboration across large scientific consortia through events, working groups, etc.
  • Contribute to grant writing efforts to secure funding for Science of Team Science
  • Lead collaboration strategies for a large multi-consortia cancer research program funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute
  • Contribute to Team Science efforts as part of the Coordinating center for the NIH

Basic skills/qualifications:

  • PhD or Masters degree in science preferred
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in team science practices and evaluation and working across larger interdisciplinary teams
  • 3+ years functioning as a manager or team lead
  • Experience working in the Team Science field, including
    • supporting team science strategies, evaluating interventions, helping teams develop collaboration frameworks, etc.;
  • collaborating with NIH and other stakeholders on complex, multidisciplinary projects;
  • Developing quantitative and qualitative program evaluation metrics.
  • Strong communication (oral and written) skills- across scientific disciplines
  • Ability to communicate in an inclusive manner
  • Demonstrated track record of successful grant writing
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong time-management skills
  • Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and those that may be required occasionally. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Routinely required to sit; walk; talk and hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; may stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, crawl, reach, and stretch.
  • May require travel dependent on company needs.
  • Can work under deadlines.
  • Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

About Sage Bionetworks 

Sage Bionetworks is a nonprofit biomedical research and technology development organization that was founded in Seattle in 2009. Our focus is to develop and apply open practices to data-driven research for the advancement of human health. Data-driven research has become an important component of biomedicine, but it’s not always easy to understand how to apply computational approaches appropriately or how to interpret their results. Sage believes open practices can help. Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers work together to provide researchers access to technology tools and scientific approaches to share data, benchmark methods, and explore collective insights, all backed by Sage’s gold-standard governance protocols and commitment to user-centered design. Sage is supported through a portfolio of competitive research grants, commercial partnerships, and philanthropic contributions.

At Sage, we have a distributed workforce and support remote and/or on-site hybrid work arrangements within the United States. All interviews will be conducted virtually unless otherwise communicated.

Sage Bionetworks is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit package, competitive to both commercial and not-for-profit life science organizations. The plan includes: health, dental, vision, life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Long Term Disability benefits; paid time off; a retirement plan; flexible spending accounts; a shared incentives plan, voluntary Long Term Care insurance, and other voluntary products. Additional information can found here: Benefits – Sage Bionetworks

At Sage, we engage equitable workplace strategies to ensure fair compensation. Actual compensation is dependent upon current market data, experience, and pay parity within our organization. This position is a Management level position, with a compensation range of $112,374 to $147,492.