Staff Scientist

United States·Chicagolead

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Requirements Summary

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field. Work Experience:Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Technical Tools

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BSD MED - General Internal Medicine

The Precision Health Informatics Lab (PHIL), led by Dr. Joshua Denny, MD, MS, develops and applies computational and informatics methods to translate large-scale genomic and clinical data into actionable insights about human health and disease. The lab's work sits at the intersection of genomics, electronic health record (EHR) data, and population-scale biobank research, with a focus on discovering gene-disease relationships, characterizing the clinical effects of genetic variation, and enabling precision medicine applications. A growing part of this work involves machine learning, large language models, and generative AI, which the lab uses to extract identify patterns across heterogeneous data sources and accelerate the pace of genomic discovery.

A central focus of the lab is phenomics, the integrative use of EHR-derived and survey-based phenotype data to power genetic and multiomic discovery. The lab develops and applies methods such as phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), which test genetic variants against the full breadth of clinical phenotypes captured in health records, as well as traditional genome-wide association study (GWAS) approaches on complex phenotypes. PHIL builds and maintains computable phenotype algorithms, reproducible, data-driven definitions of disease states, drug effects, and other clinical conditions, that integrate EHR data, survey responses, and other health data sources.

We also seek to use large scale biobank data to uncover novel gene functions and previously unrecognized genetic diseases, an undertaking that depends on integrating genomic data with clinical, phenotypic, and knowledge-base resources at scale. PHIL collaborates broadly with clinical, genomic, and computational investigators to support biobank-scale studies, and is building a team of programmers, analysts, and scientists to sustain and expand this work.

The Staff Scientist will contribute scientific leadership and hands-on research expertise to the Precision Health Informatics Lab (PHIL), supporting the design, execution, and interpretation of large-scale genomic and phenomic studies. This role will play a key part in advancing biobank-scale research into rare genetic variants and their clinical effects, bridging computational methods development with biological and clinical interpretation.

Responsibilities

~1 min read

→Design and lead analytic strategies for gene-disease discovery studies, including GWAS, PheWAS, and integrative multi-omic approaches.
→Guide the development of computable phenotype definitions for diseases, drug effects, and other conditions, ensuring clinical and biological validity of EHR- and survey-derived phenotypes.
→Interpret findings from genomic and phenomic analyses in the context of existing biomedical knowledge (e.g., OMIM, Human Phenotype Ontology, DrugBank) to prioritize novel gene-disease and gene-function hypotheses.
→Contribute to the scientific direction of studies identifying and characterizing novel genetic diseases and gene effects through clinical investigation of individuals with rare variants.
→Mentor and collaborate with programmers, analysts, and trainees on study design, statistical approaches, and biological interpretation of results.
→Prepare manuscripts, reports, grants, and presentations communicating research findings to scientific and clinical audiences.
→Stay current with emerging methods in statistical genetics, phenomics, and precision medicine to inform lab research directions.
→Serves as a resource for collecting data and performing analysis. Facilitates and promotes a research project by providing scientific or intellectual information.
→Creates first drafts for scientific writing and publications, including protocols and grants.
→Performs other related work as needed.

Requirements

~1 min read

Minimum requirements include a PhD in related field.

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

PhD in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, or related field.

Experience:

Demonstrated research experience in human genetics, genomic epidemiology, or clinical informatics.
Strong understanding of statistical genetics methods (GWAS, PheWAS, or related approaches).
Experience working with EHR-linked biobank data.
Track record of scientific publication and ability to communicate complex findings clearly.

Preferred Competencies

Proven track record of scientific publications and research contributions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Strong manuscript and proposal writing skills.
Ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
Strong problem-solving skills.

Application Documents

Resume/CV (required)
Cover Letter (required)

Research

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

What We Offer

~1 min read

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Location & Eligibility

Where is the job

Chicago, United States

On-site at the office

Who can apply

About this job

Pay per year: $80,000–$100,000 a year; 32% above the $68,120 median for Other jobs on Jobera (125,697 salaries).
Who can apply: United States
Posted: 3 days ago
Employer: has 486 open jobs on Jobera.