The NIH Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC) is a facility within the National
Human Genome Research Institute developed as part of the NIH Roadmap for 
Medical Researchs Molecular Libraries Initiative 
(see http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/306/5699/1138.pdf). The NCGC 
develops chemical probes as research tools in the study of molecular
processes  relevant to physiology and disease. The Center performs
automated high-throughput screening (HTS) on biological assays submitted
by the biomedical research community, followed by detailed activity
characterization and chemical  optimization.  All data and probes produced
by NCGC are made public through  publication and via deposition into
PubChem. The Center brings industrial technologies,  equipment, experience,
and people into an academic setting, and applies them to the 95% of the
genome and 95% of human diseases not worked on by pharma and biotech, to
develop chemical probes of demonstrated biological utility. With its
innovative quantitative HTS (qHTS) platform
(http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/figsonly/103/31/11473), the center has
generated over 4 million titration response curves across over 200 assays
in its three years of operation and has developed numerous small molecule
probe series (http://www.ncgc.nih.gov/news/publications.html). 

The Center has a strong emphasis on informatics by virtue of the large
volume of information-rich structure activity data that are generated
weekly across a wide variety of biochemical and cell-based assays. As
such, the Informatics Group plays a central role in decision making in all
projects from the development of assays, selection of top chemical
series, to the late stage optimization of lead series, in conjunction
with the senior biologists and chemists on each project team. 

Additionally, in order to analyze the unprecedented amount of
pharmacological data generated by the center and the data available
through PubChem, we have been developing novel informatics software to
mine, analyze and visualize SAR models across a growing number of
annotated assays. The platform requires the development of cheminformatics
algorithms, data visualization tools, and easy-to-use interfaces. All
tools and algorithms developed at the center will be made available for
free public use. In addition to addressing unmet needs in software, a wide
variety of industry standard modeling and informatics software are
available to the center staff [e.g, ChemAxon, OpenEye, Leadscope,
Daylight, Tripos, Accelrys+Scitegic, GeneGO].


Job Description:
We are seeking highly qualified informatics scientists to join the NCGC.
The scientists will play a major role in our ongoing and future projects.
The scientists must interface with biologists, chemists, automation
engineers in diverse project teams. The candidates must be able to
analyze large datasets, generate SAR models, select top chemical series
and new analogues for follow-up, and work with a lead chemist in
optimization of chemical series. Ligand-based and structure-based
modeling experience desired. Additionally, informatics scientists are
expected to work with biologists and chemists in publishing results in
peer reviewed journals. The ideal candidates will also participate in the
development of novel informatics algorithms and data visualization 
software. 

Qualifications: 
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in cheminformatics, computational chemistry, 
computer science or equivalent experience. Candidates should have
experience in working with HTS data and the development of lead series.
Experience using industry standard modeling and informatics software is
essential. Knowledge of synthetic chemistry and assay biology is strongly
preferred. Experience working with genomics, proteomics, and pathway
databases is a plus.  Candidates must have experience in a programming
language such as Java, C, or C++.

Please send resume and accompanying cover letter
 to ncgc [at] mail.nih.gov. 

Applicants who cannot submit their materials electronically should submit to:

National Institutes of Health
National Human Genome Research Institute
NIH Chemical Genomics Center
9800 Medical Center Drive
MSC: 3370
Bethesda, MD 20892-3370

 
Website: http://ncgc.nih.gov
General email address: ncgc [at] mail.nih.gov.

Employer Information:
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is one of the 27
Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NHGRI
led the Human Genome Project for the NIH, which culminated in the
completion of the full human genome sequence in April 2003. Now, NHGRI
moves forward into the genomic era with research aimed at improving human
health and fighting disease. 

The Division of Intramural Research (http://genome.gov/10000608) is the
laboratory arm of NHGRI, and is located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.
Research in the DIR is aimed at deciphering the genetic contributions to
common and rare disorders. DIR investigators have been at the forefront
of scientific innovation, developing a variety of research approaches that
 accelerate the understanding of the molecular basis of disease. These
include the development of DNA microarray technologies for large-scale 
molecular analyses, innovative computer software to study fundamental
biological problems, animal models critical to the study of human 
inherited disorders, and the clinical testing of new therapeutic 
approaches for genetic disease.