Open position
Bioinformatician II
Part-time, project-based contract analyzing equine gut microbiome sequencing data and designing primers for affordable equine health tools.
About Metaboly
Metaboly is Canada's equine gut health company. Based at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, we develop science-backed tools that turn laboratory research into early, actionable insights for horse owners, veterinarians, researchers, and industry partners.
Our research connects the equine gut microbiome to real health outcomes, like colic, laminitis, and fecal water syndrome. The goal is simple: identify risk earlier, and make testing affordable enough to use routinely rather than only in a crisis.
Built on grant-supported research, Metaboly operates at the intersection of academic science and applied equine health tools. We prioritize affordability, scalability, and rigorous scientific practice, and we work within a university research environment while keeping the agility of a growing biotechnology startup.
At Metaboly, we believe that better data leads to better outcomes.
Role Overview
We are seeking a self-directed Bioinformatician II for a part-time, project-based contract with an initial term of six months. This is a fully remote role for someone who can take ownership of sequencing data analysis from raw reads to interpreted results, with minimal supervision.
The successful candidate will analyze next-generation sequencing data alongside equine health data to identify microbial biomarkers, and will design and validate primers for targeted detection. The work will directly shape Metaboly's next generation of affordable equine gut health tools. You will work closely with our senior scientists and leadership, who will set project goals and timelines.
Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. While this is considered an early-career position, it is an excellent opportunity for those with a strong foundation in bioinformatics and a passion for the field. Supervision will be limited, so the successful candidate must be self-driven, capable of working independently, and confident advising Metaboly's leadership.
You will set your own working hours. In return, we expect clear communication, dependable progress against agreed milestones, and delivery of project outcomes on schedule.
Key Responsibilities
- Process raw next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (primarily 16S and ITS DNA, with 18S as projects require) received from the sequencing facility, including quality control, denoising, taxonomic assignment, and diversity analysis, applying methods suited to each sequencing platform
- Clean, organize, and integrate equine health records with microbiome data
- Identify microbial taxa associated with specific health outcomes using statistically sound methods, accounting for confounding factors and the compositional nature of microbiome data
- Narrow findings to a short list of candidate biomarker organisms suitable for targeted detection
- Design taxon-specific primers for those candidates, and assess their specificity and coverage in silico against reference databases
- Support laboratory validation of primers, including interpreting qPCR results and refining designs
- Build reproducible, well-documented pipelines so analyses can be rerun as new samples arrive
- Manage computational resources, including high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud server time, efficiently
- Present findings clearly to senior scientists through written reports, figures, and meetings
- Plan your own work to meet agreed milestones and deadlines, and flag risks early
Required Qualifications
- A Master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbiology, genomics, biostatistics, or a related field
- 2+ years of hands-on bioinformatics experience, academic or industry
- Deep expertise in 16S sequencing analysis, along with solid working experience analyzing ITS data
- Strong working knowledge of standard microbiome tools, such as QIIME 2, DADA2, mothur, or equivalent; R and/or Python; and Linux command-line work
- Familiarity with reference databases used for 16S and ITS sequencing work, such as SILVA, GTDB, and UNITE
- Hands-on experience with 16S and ITS reference genomes, including using them to find unique gene targets when sequencing data cannot separate closely related species
- Understanding of next-generation sequencing, including error profiles, read lengths, and how these affect species-level resolution
- Solid grounding in microbiome statistics, including compositional data, differential abundance testing (for example, ANCOM-BC, ALDEx2, or MaAsLin2), multivariate methods, and correction for multiple comparisons
- Experience linking microbiome data to clinical, phenotypic, or other metadata to test hypotheses
- Demonstrated ability to design taxon-specific primers with confidence, including in silico checks of specificity and coverage (for example, Primer-BLAST or similar tools)
- Experience working on shared computing resources, such as HPC clusters, job schedulers, and cloud or server allocations (for example, Digital Research Alliance of Canada systems)
- Proven ability to manage projects independently, set priorities, and deliver on deadlines with little supervision
- Strong written communication, including the ability to explain results to non-specialists
Preferred Qualifications
- Some exposure to 18S sequencing analysis is an asset, though not essential
- Gut microbiome research experience, especially in horses or other animals, or in veterinary or agricultural settings
- Familiarity with 18S reference databases (such as PR2) and reference genomes
- Experience with qPCR or ddPCR assay development, including knowledge of the MIQE guidelines
- Experience with shotgun metagenomics
- Experience with machine learning approaches for biomarker discovery, such as random forests
- Experience leading or coordinating research projects, or mentoring others
- Familiarity with workflow managers (such as Snakemake or Nextflow) and version control (Git)
Compensation and Contract Terms
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay | $26–$38 per hour (CAD), commensurate with experience |
| Hours | 10–20 hours per week, varying with project needs |
| Contract | Fixed-term, project-based contract |
| Duration | 6 months, with opportunity for extension in additional cycles, up to a maximum of 2 years |
| Anticipated start | Feb 1, 2027 |
Work Location and Schedule
This is a fully remote position. You will set your own hours, provided project timelines and deliverables are met. Regular check-ins with Metaboly's senior scientists will keep project goals, progress, and priorities aligned.
Candidates should have a reliable internet connection and a suitable workspace. Metaboly will provide access to the computational tools required for the project.
Eligibility
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada at the time of application.
Because project meetings, written reports, and collaboration with our research team take place in English, this role requires strong professional proficiency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in other languages is welcome but not required.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Metaboly is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in any stage of the selection process.
How to Apply
Apply through the Metaboly website by January 1, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET. Submit your application as one combined PDF containing, in this order:
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Tell us why this role and equine gut health interest you. Walk us through one or two next-generation sequencing projects you've taken from raw reads to results: the questions, your methods and tools, and what you found. Mention any primer design or assay work. Finally, give an example of how you've managed your own work, met deadlines, and explained results to people outside your field
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- References: contact information for three professional references
Formatting: The cover letter should follow the presentation standards of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC): Times New Roman, no text smaller than 11 pt, and 1.9 cm margins on all sides. CV formatting is at the applicant's discretion.
You will receive a confirmation email once your application package has been received. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application, whether successful or unsuccessful.