Research Data Specialist

Job: Research Data Specialist

Work Location: Qatar

Organization: Research Division

Work Days: Sunday-Thursday

Sponsorship Eligibility: Yes

Classification: Full Time

Posting End Date: 09/30/2025

Position Summary

The position is responsible for the design, execution and interpretation of complex genomic data analyses across multiple projects, developing computational pipelines and contributing to the overall research plan.

Job Responsibilities

• Designs and executes large-scale genomic data analyses across multiple concurrent research projects, using expert judgment to align scientific goals with available resources and within given constraints.
• Develops, validates, and maintains advanced computational pipelines for high-throughput sequencing, population genetics, and comparative genomics, making informed decisions on tools, algorithms optimization, and scalability.
• Partners with principal investigators and multidisciplinary research teams to co-develop study designs, select appropriate statistical methods and define robust computational plans aligned with research aims.
• Interprets complex analytical outcomes within a biological framework and significantly contributes to developing manuscripts, presentations, and grant submissions.
• Recommends new bioinformatics tools, technologies, and infrastructure to enhance data integration, analysis efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
• Establishes coding and data management standards that promote reproducibility and analytical accuracy.
• Guides team members on the effective use of tools, methods and workflows.
• Serves as a representative of the lab cross-institutional collaborations, consortium meetings, and scientific forums, contributing domain expertise as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Evolutionary Biology/Genetics or related field.
• 7 or more years of relevant experience.
• A Master's degree is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge in genomic technologies, statistical genomics, and high-throughput data analysis.
• Expert coding ability in R / Python and knowledge of workflow tools (e.g., Snakemake, Nextflow).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing technical content for publications.
• Ability to lead scientific collaborations and influence data-driven decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with an eye for detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task in demanding timeframes.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite of products Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.

Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar was established in 2001 as a partnership between Cornell University and Qatar Foundation (QF). The first medical school in Qatar and a pioneer of coeducation at the university level, WCM-Q offers an integrated Six-Year Medical Program that incorporates pre-medical and medical studies and leads to the Cornell University M.D. degree.

Teaching is by Cornell and Weill Cornell faculty, including physicians at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) who hold Weill Cornell appointments. Enrollment has grown rapidly from 25 first-year pre-medical students in the fall of 2002 to over 300 students from more than 30 countries today.

WCM-Q is part of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, which was founded over 100 years ago, and shares the same mission:

• to provide the finest education possible for medical students
• to conduct research at the cutting edge of knowledge
• to improve healthcare both now and for future generations
• to provide the highest quality of care to the community

WCM-Q’s home city is Doha, a thriving cosmopolitan metropolis with a culturally diverse population, a rapidly growing economy, and modern infrastructure. WCM-Q is a member of Qatar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with multiple centers focused on education, research and innovation, and community development. WCM-Q is located within Education City, the flagship development of QF, which occupies more than 12 square kilometers and is home to some of the world’s leading educational institutions, including Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and overseas campuses of elite universities, such as VCUarts Qatar, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Northwestern Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, and HEC Paris in Qatar.

Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar is an Equal EmploymentOpportunity/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled employer.