Compensation Pay Range:

$0.00-$0.00

Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION

Posting # - RI-26-032R

Posting Period – July 30 to August 27, 2026

POSITION: Postdoctoral Fellow in Rare Disease Bioinformatics

Polavarapu Research Group, CHEO RI

New Position

TERM: Full Time, 1.0 FTE, 2-year contract with possibility of renewal

SALARY: $28.00 - $33.00 per hour, will be commensurate with skills and experience

REPORTS TO: Dr. Kiran Polavarapu

Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute Inc. (“CHEO RI”) is the research arm of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario – Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre (“CHEO”) and an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa. We acknowledge that Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinabek territory. The Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO RI also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land. CHEO is a beloved institution and workplace that is widely recognized for being an anchor in our community. CHEO RI works to create new knowledge and evidence to support CHEO in its provision of world‑class care to our children. Our mission at CHEO RI is to connect exceptional talent and technology in pursuit of life‑changing research for every child, youth and family in our community and beyond.

CHEO RI has an immediate requirement for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Rare Disease Bioinformatics.

We are seeking a highly motivated and computationally skilled Postdoctoral Fellow to lead the bioinformatics aspects of the genomics and multi‑omics research activities within the Polavarapu Research Group at CHEO RI. The successful candidate will contribute to projects focused on rare neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders, with emphasis on computational approaches to genomic data analysis, in silico variant interpretation, AI‑enabled bioinformatics approaches, and development of scalable analytical workflows.

Working within a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment, the postholder will provide computational and bioinformatic expertise to a team working on the integration of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, phenotypic, and publicly available datasets for variant interpretation, gene discovery, genotype‑phenotype studies, and translational rare disease research.

The position involves close collaboration with clinicians, wet‑lab scientists, bioinformaticians, and international research consortia. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of modern computational genomics workflows, including emerging AI/ML‑based analytical approaches and reproducible bioinformatics pipelines.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The Postdoctoral Fellow will:

- Develop, optimize, and maintain scalable and reproducible bioinformatics workflows for genomic analysis and variant interpretation
- Support development and implementation of AI/ML‑enabled bioinformatics and variant interpretation workflows
- Perform end‑to‑end genomic analyses including:
- FASTQ processing
- Alignment
- Variant calling
- Annotation
- Variant prioritization and interpretation





- Interpret genomic variants using current best practices and advanced in silico approaches, including:

- Splicing prediction tools
- Structural prediction frameworks
- Regulatory/non‑coding variant interpretation tools

- Work within Linux/HPC/cloud‑based computational environments and contribute to reproducible computational infrastructure
- Develop and maintain containerized computational workflows using technologies such as Docker, Singularity/Apptainer, or related systems
- Integrate computational findings with phenotypic and clinical information to support biologically and clinically meaningful interpretation
- Collaborate closely with clinicians, laboratory scientists, trainees, and external collaborators to support translational genomics research
- Contribute to preparation of manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant applications
- Present research findings at internal meetings, workshops, and scientific conferences
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the Polavarapu Research Group

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Essential

- PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, computer science, or related discipline
- Strong experience in bioinformatic analysis of next‑generation sequencing datasets (e.g., WES/WGS, RNA‑seq)
- Experience with genomic analysis workflows including:
- FASTQ → BAM/CRAM → VCF pipelines
- Variant annotation and prioritization workflows

- Strong programming and command‑line skills with experience using:

- Linux/Unix
- Python and/or R

- Experience using in silico variant interpretation approaches for:

- Splicing variants
- Missense/structural variants
- Regulatory/non‑coding variants

- Familiarity with genomic databases and resources such as:

- gnomAD
- ClinVar
- GTEx
- or similar platforms

- Experience developing and maintaining reproducible computational workflows/pipelines
- Familiarity with HPC and/or cloud‑based computational environments
- Experience with containerisation technologies such as:

- Docker
- Singularity/Apptainer
- or similar systems

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment
- Strong organizational and communication skills

Preferred

- Experience with:
- Multi‑omics integration
- Proteomics datasets
- AI/ML/LLM approaches in genomics

- Familiarity with advanced computational genomics tools/frameworks such as:

- AlphaFold
- AlphaGenome
- Enformer
- Borzoi
- Hail
- Spark
- or related tools

- Experience supporting APIs, databases, or web‑based genomic applications
- Familiarity with rare disease genomics and phenotype‑driven analysis approaches
- Experience contributing to collaborative national or international genomics projects/consortia
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative




- Ability to present and communicate research findings effectively
- Able to share information in an effective and collaborative manner.
- Able to be creative, challenge, and demonstrate initiative to generate improvements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

- Biology and computational research environment; exposure to students and technical support staff
- Able to work in a dynamic environment and be able to multi‑task.
- Flexibility to work within a hybrid model that combines work from home with on‑site presence as required
- Flexible working hours may occasionally be required to support collaborations across time zones
- Able to travel internationally

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

- Eligible to work in Canada;
- Compliance with CHEO RI’s occupational health, immunization, and health‑surveillance requirements, as applicable to the role and work environment.
- Completion of a Police Record Check, in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

The CHEO Research Institute values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process, and welcome interest from all qualified applicants. Should an applicant require accommodations during the application process, as per the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, please notify Human Resources at

The CHEO Research Institute seeks to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in all of its activities, including research, education and career development, patient, family and donor partnerships. We value diverse and non‑traditional career paths and perspectives, and value skills such as resilience, collaboration, and relationship‑building. We welcome applications from members of racialized minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

CHEO RI does not use AI in its recruitment and selection process.

Worksite, unless otherwise indicated, will be 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1. Applications will only be considered from those that are eligible to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those invited for an interview will be contacted.

CHEO Research Institute Inc. – Human Resources Department

401 Smyth Road

Ottawa (Ontario) K1H8L1, CANADA

DESCRIPTION DE POSTE

Numéro d’affichage - #RI-26-032R

Période d’affichage – du 30 juillet au 27 août, 2026

POSTE:Boursière ou boursier de recherches postdoctorales en bio‑informatique des maladies rares

Groupe de recherche Polavarapu

Nouveau position

TERM: Temps plein (1,0 ETP), contrat de 2 ans avec possibilité de renouvellement

SALAIRE: 28,00$ - 33,00/heure, sera proportionnel au compétences et l’expérience

RELÈVE DE: Dr. Kiran Polavarapu

L’Institut de recherche du Centre hospitalier pour enfants de l’est de l’Ontario Inc. («IR de CHEO») est l’organisme de recherche du Centre de traitement pour enfants du Centre hospitalier pour enfants de l’est de l’Ontario situé à Ottawa («CHEO») et un institut affilié de l’Université d’Ottawa. Nous reconnaissons qu’Ottawa est bâtie sur un territoire non cédé du peuple an

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📌 Postdoctoral Fellow | Temporary Full Time (1.0 FTE) | CHEO Research Institute (Ottawa)
🏢 CHEO
📍 Ottawa