Application/Resource Developer Position @ Linguamatics

Linguamatics is currently seeking a talented post graduate with experience of natural language processing to work on leading edge text mining products.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining resources for domain specific adaptation of real-time semantic search software based on Natural Language Processing. Working closely with application scientists and the development team, you will ensure that the combination of software and resources satisfies customer requirements. This will include developing linguistic patterns, and programs to transform domain specific terminologies into common formats and keep them up-to-date. You will be working on life science applications, and some knowledge of the Pharmaceutical or Healthcare industry would be useful.In addition to resource and application development, you will be expected to contribute to ongoing UK or EU funded research projects as part of the research and resource development team.

You will have strong communication skills and be able to work with other staff to get across ideas and issues and to respond to requirements. You must also enjoy working in a fast-moving start-up environment, which requires multi-tasking, flexibility and the ability to work in a small, highly motivated team.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• Post graduate qualification in computational linguistics or related discipline, including a good understanding of grammar.
• Research experience, preferably in a commercial setting
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong programming skills, ideally with experience of Java or C and a scripting language such as Perl

Additionally, the following attributes would be advantageous:

• Research experience, preferably in a commercial setting
• Background in or experience of the Life Science sector
• Experience in using ontologies

Company Profile

Linguamatics is a leading provider of text mining solutions based on innovative use of semantic and natural language processing (NLP) technology. Our software is acknowledged as the leading solution in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and has been adopted by most of the top pharmaceutical companies.

This is a challenging and exciting role in a young, growing company. If you think you have the right skills and experience, and are ready to make an outstanding contribution to the team and the success of our business, please send your CV with a covering letter by email to:

Sarah Mansfield
Linguamatics Ltd
St Johns Innovation Centre
Cowley Rd
Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK

Email: jobs@linguamatics.com

www.linguamatics.com

3andMe has moved to a subscription-based pricing

Direct-to-consumer genetics testing firm 23andMe has moved to a subscription-based pricing plan that now includes a one year contract and an additional charge of $5 per month.

Along with the change in pricing, the company has done away with its separate Ancestry Edition and Health Edition products, which are now part of one service, called Complete Edition, that the firm offers. The base price for the testing service remains at $499.

The Ancestry and Health Edition products were launched a year ago by 23andMe.

The changes took effect on Nov. 22. After the initial year expires, the contract will go to a month-to-month model, and customers will be able to cancel their contract at any time, a spokeswoman for Mountain View, Calif.-based 23andMe said.

In an e-mail, she said the new monthly charge is based on the company's need to update its test and customers' test results as new genetic discoveries are made. The company's scientific team continually evaluates the latest scientific studies on genetic associations and on average incorporates two to five new genetic discoveries into 23andMe's service each month.

In a separate announcement today, 23andMe said that it has transitioned to the third version of its genotyping array, enabling it to test approximately one million SNPs. Customers who purchase the 23andMe Personal Genome Service today or after will have their DNA tested on the new version of the array, it said. The new chip nearly doubles the number of SNPs for which the firm previously tested.

THOMSON REUTERS ACQUIRES GENEGO

Thomson Reuters today announced that it has acquired GeneGo, a leading provider of biology and disease information, analytics, and decision support solutions for pharmaceutical research and development.

Effective immediately, GeneGo will become part of the Healthcare & Science business of Thomson Reuters. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition enables Thomson Reuters to provide the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research communities with solutions that provide better understanding of the underlying mechanism of disease and potential therapies. GeneGo’s scientific expertise and assets in biology-driven drug discovery complement the Thomson Reuters life sciences portfolio that covers drug pipeline competitive intelligence, patents, and chemistry.

do you wish to know more?

Position open for Genome Computational Specialist

Courtesy: Bioclues

Job Reference: G586-10LL

Genome Discovery Unit, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment

We are seeking a Genome Computational Specialist to support the work of researchers engaged in cutting-edge projects involving analysis of high throughput sequencing data. Location Canberra/ACT Term of Contract Permanent Grade ANU Senior Manager 1 (Information Technology) Salary Package $88,417 - $92,781 pa plus 17% superannuation Closing Date 3 January 2011 Position Overview The ANU's genomic strategies and expertise has positioned it as a key partner in a number of national and international genomics / phenomics research consortia. The ANU is underpinning this excellence in genomic biology by establishing a Genome Discovery Unit (GDU) for the analysis of high throughput sequencing data. The facility will be staffed by highly skilled personnel who will provide the core expertise for constructing and operating a high performance computing cluster that will serve the needs of projects employing high throughput sequencing. The ANU is seeking as the Genome Computational Specialist of the GDU a service-oriented individual with outstanding track record in high performance computing. The Genome Computational Specialist will have a successful track record in project management, of working collaboratively in a research environment and experience in biological data analysis and bioinformatics. Enquiries: Stephanie Palmer, T: 02 6125 9637, E: Stephanie.Palmer@anu.edu.au Additional Information PEWER.pdf Position description   Responsible to Manager, Genome Discovery Unit Role statement PURPOSE STATEMENT: The Genome Computational Specialist position has been identified as the crucial appointment for ensuring the successful creation and operation of the Genome Discovery Unit (GDU). KEY ACCOUNTABILITY AREAS: Position Dimension & Relationships: The Genome Computation Specialist reports to the Manager of the GDU and oversees the work of other computational and bioinformatics service staff in the GDU. The Genome Computation Specialist plays a key liaison role with staff at the ANU Supercomputer Facility, The National Computational Infrastructure, The ANU Division of Information and the College of Medicine, Biology and Environment IT function to ensure the provision of effective and robust computing resources for the analysis and storage of high throughput sequencing (HTS) data. The Genome Computational Specialist works in the Genome Discovery Unit (GDU) to: 1. Provide a centralised service for genome researchers including complete analysis pipelines for (HTS) projects encompassing sample preparation, sequencing, computational, data storage and bioinformatics needs. The service will also include other genomics services currently provided by the Biomolecular Resource Facility (BRF), including dideoxy sequencing & capillary electrophoresis, rtPCR and microarrays and genotyping. 2. Develop a critical mass of high level expertise in genomic analysis, particularly focussed on HTS and associated bioinformatics, with close integration of service provision with bioinformatic/genomics researchers and with education and outreach programs. 3. Develop and propagate genomics and bioinformatics capability and research strength at ANU and more generally in Canberra across a range of research areas, including through the joint development of major new research initiatives. 4. Develop and manage strategic relationships with key organisations including APF/APN, ANUSF/NCI, CSIRO, BPA, other genome/bioinformatics centres and facilities and major vendors and to leverage these relationships to enhance and grow areas of research strength at ANU and more generally in Canberra. Role Statement: Under the broad direction of the Manager, Genome Discovery Unit: 1. Develop and implement high performance computing strategies for the management, analysis and storage of HTS data. 2. Oversee the design, installation and ongoing maintenance of a computing environment that meets the needs of GDU researchers and facility users, including researchers throughout the Canberra region. 3. Oversee the development and execution of operating procedures that maximise the quality and robustness of GDU services including: provision of public data required for HTS analyses; design, implementation and routine testing of a backup and recovery plan for critical data; and mechanisms for end-user feedback. 4. Oversee the development of HTS analysis pipelines including assisting with choice and local installation of algorithms required to undertake these analyses. 5. Integration of the GDU computing facility with existing ANU IT infrastructure and the National Computational Infrastructure to maximise performance and availability of the computing capabilities to members and clients of the GDU. 6. Coordinate GDU bioinformaticians and instruct them on facility usage policy and the software engineering best-practices to ensure effective use of the facility and maximize the quality of results. 7. Prepare and deliver requested reports regarding service status. 8. Other duties as required consistent with the classification. Selection criteria     SELECTION CRITERIA: 1. Progress towards a postgraduate qualification in computer science or equivalent combination of relevant experience and or education/training with several years subsequent relevant specialist/professional experience. 2. Project management skills with expertise in managing multi-contributor software engineering projects including the associated quality control and quality assurance processes. 3. Experience and a sophisticated understanding of high performance computing environments including a working knowledge of cluster computing, cluster maintenance and systems administration. 4. Experience in the management and analysis of complex data. 5. Demonstrated experience in effective staff management ensuring the on time delivery of a technically oriented service. 6. Prior exposure to genome biology with intellectual flexibility and a practical approach to completing projects. 7. Well developed written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate and work cooperatively with colleagues and staff from diverse disciplines. 8. A demonstrated understanding of equal opportunity principles and policies and a commitment to their application in a university context.

Applications are invited for the post of Information Officer

Applications are invited for the post of Information Officer in Distributed Information Sub-Centre (DISC) established by Dept. of Biotechnology at Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Koba, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Applications are invited for the post of information officer at Distributed Information Sub-Centre (DISC)

Position (scale), qualifications and experience:

1. Information Officer - one post

Qualifications and Experience: M. Tech in IT sciences, MSc Bioinformatics with 2-3 years experience in the bioinformatics domain with expertise in database management, software development, system administration, and work experience on linux environment.

Pay scale; Gross emoluments will be about Rs. 20.000/- pm in this post

Application process: Please submit your application with biodata to Dr. DD Singh Bioinformatics
Deptt. at ddsingh@iiar.res.in You can call at 079-30514150 for any queries.

The application process is open till suitable candidate is found.

Link http://www.iiar.res.in/index.php?q=node/205

courtesy bioclues

GeneGo, Agilent Integrate Informatics Tools

GeneGo today said that Agilent's GeneSpring bioinformatics solution has been integrated with GeneGo's MetaCore.

The collaboration was announced in connection with the newest version of Agilent's GeneSpring. Agilent said today introduced GeneSpring GX 11.5, which can interpret microarray, proteomics, and metabolomics experiments together for the first time. The newest version includes a direct connection to the MetaCore pathway analysis engine, enabling users to seamlessly upload expression data analyzed in GeneSpring, said GeneGo.

"MetaCore can concurrently visualize multiple types of data and will be able to take advantage of this new functionality in GeneSpring which will be very helpful to our joint customers," Julie Bryant, VP of business development for St. Joseph, Mich.-based GeneGo, said in a statement.

Roche Restructuring Plan Includes 4,800 Job Cuts

Roche today announced a global restructuring plan, which includes reducing its global workforce by 4,800 jobs, most of which are in the firm's Pharmaceuticals Division.

The firm has dubbed the restructuring an "Operational Excellence Program" that is intended to result in annual cost savings of CHF2.4 billion ($2.4 billion). It expects to implement the changes, which also include the transfer of certain positions, consolidation at certain sites, and the closure of some facilities, during 2011 and 2012.

The 4,800 job cuts equates to 6 percent of Roche's global workforce. In addition to the reductions, it also expects to transfer around 800 jobs internally and approximately 700 positions to third parties.

The cost-cutting measure is not a surprise, as Roche had said in September that it would undertake such an initiative. However, the details of the effort were not announced until today.

Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division will bear the brunt of the cuts, with 5,400 jobs being affected. The firm said that it will reduce its pharma sales and marketing staff by a total of 2,650 positions. Another 1,350 jobs are expected to be affected by the reorganization of some technical operations within manufacturing at sites in California, Mannheim, Germany, and other places, which will cut around 750 positions, and includes Roche seeking buyers for its sites in Florence, SC, and Boulder, Col., which would affect 600 jobs.

Roche's cuts to R&D include discontinuing RNA interference research in Kulmbach, Germany, and in Nutley, NJ, and Madison, Wis.

Roche's Diagnostics Division, which includes its molecular tools and molecular diagnostics operations, will have 640 positions affected by the restructuring, though it appears the actions will affect the firm's blood gas diagnostics and diabetes care products. Its diagnostics chemical manufacturing and analytical services are expected to be discontinued in Mannheim and transferred to Penzberg, Germany.

"This is a comprehensive, focused initiative to reinforce Roche's long-term innovation capability in the face of increased price pressures and a more challenging market environment," Roche Group CEO Severin Schwan said in a statement.

Roche added that the restructuring effort "is a response to mounting cost pressures in healthcare — particularly in the US and Europe — and to increasing hurdles for the approval and pricing of new medicines."

The firm expects to incur one-time restructuring costs totaling CHF2.7 billion between 2010 and 2012, of which CHF1.5 billion are cash-related.

Roche re-affirmed its outlook for full-year 2010 of mid-single-digit sales growth in local currencies for the Roche Group and the Pharmaceuticals Division (excluding Tamiflu sales). It also said that sales for the Diagnostics Division are expected to grow significantly ahead of the market.

International PhD Program in the Biological Sciences

Under the auspices of the University of Tübingen, approximately 120 students from all over the world are working on their PhDs at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology and the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory. Here, they profit from an interdisciplinary environment and first-rate scientific resources. Dedicated support and educational programs foster the scientific growth of doctoral students. The program offers cutting edge training in

• Bioinformatics
• Structural Biology
• Plant & Animal Development 
• Molecular & Cellular Biology/ Biochemistry
• Developmental & Quantitative Genetics
• Evolutionary Biology & Ecological Genetics
• The application deadline is November 24, 2010.

Do you wish to know more?