Bioinformatics Technicians
15-2099.01
Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.
Sample of reported job titles: Bioinformatics Analyst, Bioinformatics Specialist, Bioinformatics Technician, Biotechnician, Museum Informatics Specialist, Research Scientist, Scientific Informatics Analyst
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Analyze or manipulate bioinformatics data using software packages, statistical applications, or data mining techniques.
- Extend existing software programs, web-based interactive tools, or database queries as sequence management and analysis needs evolve.
- Maintain awareness of new and emerging computational methods and technologies.
- Conduct quality analyses of data inputs and resulting analyses or predictions.
- Enter or retrieve information from structural databases, protein sequence motif databases, mutation databases, genomic databases or gene expression databases.
- Develop or maintain applications that process biologically based data into searchable databases for purposes of analysis, calculation, or presentation.
- Confer with researchers, clinicians, or information technology staff to determine data needs and programming requirements and to provide assistance with database-related research activities.
- Participate in the preparation of reports or scientific publications.
- Write computer programs or scripts to be used in querying databases.
- Document all database changes, modifications, or problems.
- Create data management or error-checking procedures and user manuals.
- Develop or apply data mining and machine learning algorithms.
- Design or implement web-based tools for querying large-scale biological databases.
- Monitor database performance and perform any necessary maintenance, upgrades, or repairs.
- Confer with database users about project timelines and changes.
- Perform routine system administrative functions, such as troubleshooting, back-ups, or upgrades.
- Package bioinformatics data for submission to public repositories.
- Train bioinformatics staff or researchers in the use of databases.
- Test new or updated software or tools and provide feedback to developers.
Technology Skills
- Access software - Avaya Identity Engines
- Analytical or scientific software - Basic Local Alignment Search Tool BLAST; Bioconductor; Bowtie; Burrows-Wheeler Aligner BWA; ClustalW; Cufflinks; Data visualization software; Genome Analysis Toolkit GATK; GENSCAN; IBM SPSS Statistics π₯; PHYLIP; SAS π₯; The MathWorks MATLAB π₯; Thermo Fisher Scientific Ion Reporter; TopHat
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Microsoft SharePoint π₯
- Customer relationship management CRM software - Customer relationship management CRM software
- Data base management system software - Microsoft SQL Server π₯
- Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access π₯; MySQL π₯; Oracle Database π₯; Structured query language SQL π₯
- Development environment software - C π₯; Ruby π₯
-
Electronic mail software -
Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise application integration software - Atlassian Bamboo π₯; Jenkins CI π₯
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Enterprise resource planning ERP software; SAP software π₯
- File versioning software - Apache Subversion SVN π₯; Git π₯
- Geographic information system - Esri ArcGIS; Geographic information system GIS software
- Internet browser software - Web browser software
- Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software - Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
- Object or component oriented development software - C++ π₯; Oracle Java π₯; Perl π₯; Python π₯; R π₯
-
Office suite software -
Microsoft Office software
- Operating system software - Linux π₯; Microsoft Windows π₯
- Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint π₯
- Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio π₯
-
Spreadsheet software -
Microsoft Excel
- Web platform development software - Hypertext markup language HTML π₯
- Word processing software - Microsoft Word π₯; Word processing software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
- Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
- Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
- Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze operational or research data.
- Develop computer or online applications.
- Maintain current knowledge related to work activities.
- Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
- Enter information into databases or software programs.
- Confer with coworkers to coordinate work activities.
- Prepare research or technical reports.
- Maintain operational records.
- Develop data analysis or data management procedures.
- Format digital documents, data, or images.
- Train personnel.