Data Scientist–Agentic Bioinformatics

Careers; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Competitive salary

International collaborative setting

Job summary

VIB--KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB) in Leuven, Belgium seeks a Data Scientist to develop and deploy LLM-based tools and agentic workflows for bioinformatics tasks across research groups. You will integrate tools with pipelines, HPC, and databases, assess reliability and data privacy, and collaborate with the ML Unit at VIB.AI and the Vlaams Supercomputer Centrum to keep state-of-the-art methods up to date.

Excellent English and a PhD are required.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong Python programming skills.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs (APIs or open-weight models).
• Knowledge of bioinformatic workflows (sequencing, single-cell, spatial).
• Ability to explain AI concepts to non-specialists.
• Willingness to learn and share knowledge.
• Excellent English communication.

Responsibilities

• Build LLM-based tools and agentic workflows for bioinformatics tasks.
• Connect LLM tools to pipelines, HPC, databases, and public resources.
• Evaluate tool reliability with attention to correctness, reproducibility, and data privacy.
• Deploy and maintain tools for CCB researchers with ML Unit and VSC.
• Stay up to date with state-of-the-art methods in LLMs and AI.
• Deliver training and workshops on practical AI usage in research.

Skills

LLMs experience

Bioinformatics workflow knowledge

Explain AI concepts clearly

English communication

Willingness to learn

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/CS

Tools

Python

Job description

Bioinformatics & AI Expertise Unit

VIB--KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), Leuven, Belgium

The VIB--KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB) is a leading research institute focused on understanding cancer biology and developing innovative therapies. Our Bioinformatics & AI Expertise Unit provides advanced computational support to multiple research groups within CCB (Learn more: Bioinformatics & AI).

We are seeking an Data Scientist with a background in bioinformatics or computational biology to explore, build, and deploy tools based on large language models (LLMs) that support research at CCB. This includes agentic workflows that help researchers find suitable methods, write and run analysis code, and work with multi‑omics and spatial data. You will critically evaluate these tools, bring the useful ones into daily use across research groups, and help the CCB community use them effectively and responsibly.

You will join a growing team led by Dr. Masoomeh Rahimpour and work closely with the Integrative Cancer Genomics lab of Prof. Jonas Demeulemeester, other CCB Expertise Units, and the ML Unit of VIB.AI, the VIB Center for AI & Computational Biology (Learn more: VIB.AI).

Key Responsibilities

• Build LLM-based tools and agentic workflows for bioinformatics tasks, such as assistants that help run and document standard analyses, retrieval over internal protocols and documentation.
• Connect LLM tools to existing bioinformatics resources, including our pipelines, HPC environment, databases, and public resources (e.g., via tool calling or MCP).
• Evaluate the reliability of these tools on realistic research tasks, with attention to correctness, reproducibility, and data privacy.
• Deploy and maintain tools for CCB researchers in collaboration with the ML Unit at VIB.AI and the Vlaams Supercomputer Centrum (VSC).
• Stay up to date with state‑of‑the‑art methods in LLMs, AI agents, and computational biology; evaluate, benchmark, and introduce relevant tools and best practices.
• Deliver training and workshops on the practical and responsible use of LLMs and AI tools in research.

Profile

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and career paths. If this role interests you and you meet most of the essential requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• A PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field or equivalent professional experience (e.g. in industry).
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Hands‑on experience with LLMs (via APIs or open‑weight models), for example prompt design, or tool/function calling.
• Working knowledge of common bioinformatic workflows (e.g. sequencing, single‑cell, or spatial data), enough to judge whether an AI‑generated analysis makes sense.
• Ability to explain AI concepts and their limitations clearly to non‑specialists.
• Willingness to keep learning and to share knowledge with colleagues.
• Good communication skills in English.

Nice to have:

• Experience with retrieval‑augmented generation (RAG) over scientific literature or internal documentation.
• Experience with agent frameworks (e.g. LangGraph or similar).
• Experience running open‑weight models on local or HPC hardware.

What We Offer

• Access to unique datasets and cutting‑edge infrastructure.
• A collaborative and international research environment.
• Support for your personal and professional development through training, mentoring, and career development.
• A salary in line with VIB salary scales, based on your experience, and a benefit package.
• A full‑time, indefinite contract with flexible working hours.