Research Data Engineer

An excellent opportunity is available for a Research Data Engineer to join the Snow Centre for Immune Health at Australia's pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the position

The Snow Centre for Immune Health (SCIH) aims to improve the lives of people with immune diseases using innovative approaches. Co-led by WEHI and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, it unites Australian and international researchers to transform immune system research and treatment. Our goal is to accelerate discoveries related to immune health, early disease diagnosis, and targeted therapies. The centre is established in partnership with the Snow Medical Research Foundation.

The role is based within the Research Computing Platform (RCP) at WEHI, comprising a multidisciplinary team of software engineers specializing in software engineering, high-performance computing, bioinformatics, and data engineering. The RCP develops tools and pipelines to streamline research workflows and expedite research outcomes.

The Research Data Engineer will report to the Head of RCP and contribute to designing, developing, and implementing bioinformatics pipelines and research data management tools to enhance research efficiency, data compliance, and standardization of data and metadata processes.

We seek a candidate with broad experience in modern research software technologies or the ability to quickly master new technical skills. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication skills—both written and oral—strong interpersonal abilities, and stakeholder management skills.

Selection Criteria

• Ability to learn complex concepts independently across multiple domains.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to continuous improvement; openness and honesty, with a proactive approach to addressing mistakes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills across academic disciplines.
• Highly collaborative, leveraging external skills and knowledge for organizational benefit.
• Curiosity, opportunism, and eagerness to acquire new knowledge.

Knowledge and Skills (Essential):

• Open-source contributions: Provide links to significant GitHub or open-source projects, including your role.
• Graduate or postgraduate degree in bioinformatics, computationally intensive discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Technical proficiency in at least some of the following:
  • Programming languages such as Python, R, etc.
  • Cloud technologies and containers.
  • High-Performance Computing, batch systems like Slurm or PBS.
  • Workflow systems such as Nextflow, Prefect.io, CWL, etc.
  • Experience in bioinformatics.
  • Research experience in data- or computationally-intensive life sciences.

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time position available for 2 years. Salary ranges from $104,969 to $113,630, depending on experience, with up to 17% superannuation and attractive salary packaging options. A detailed position description is available here.

How to Apply

Submit your CV, cover letter, and a document addressing the key selection criteria in PDF format.

Application Closing Date: Friday 29 August 2025

WEHI's commitment to diversity and inclusion

WEHI fosters a flexible, inclusive environment that values diversity of thought. We are committed to gender equality, supporting women researchers, and promoting diversity through various strategic initiatives. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, culturally diverse backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ communities. For support during the recruitment process, contact the People and Culture team.

WEHI's commitment to Indigenous employment

We aim to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the forefront of health research, creating a culturally safe workplace with leadership opportunities. We strongly encourage Indigenous applicants.