Bioinformatics Scientist (Maternity Cover)

Esrc IAA University of Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Bioinformatics Scientist for maternity cover until June 2026. This role focuses on supporting research in genomics and data analysis by providing expertise in DNA sequence analysis and assisting students and staff with bioinformatics projects.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with NGS data processing pipelines.
• Solid understanding of genomic data analysis methods.
• Clear communication of complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide bioinformatics expertise on DNA sequence analysis.
• Support students with R code and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate on data-intensive projects.

Skills

NGS data processing

Genomic data analysis

R programming

Troubleshooting

Job description

Bioinformatics Scientist (Maternity Cover)

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.

The role
We are seeking a proactive and skilled Bioinformatics Scientist to join our Faculty on a fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover until the 12th June 2026. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and collaborative research environment, supporting a wide range of exciting research activities in genomics and data analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide bioinformatics expertise in support of bioinformatics analysis, with particular focus on DNA sequence analysis (for example, de novo genome assembly, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), long-read sequencing data analysis and assembly)
• Offer hands-on support to students and staff, including:
  • Troubleshooting R code
  • Ad hoc advice and scheduled drop-in sessions for both undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Collaborate with academic staff and researchers to facilitate the successful execution of data-intensive projects
• Contribute to training sessions and documentation as needed

You will be joining a collaborative and supportive team, contributing to research across diverse fields, and helping maintain the Faculty's reputation for excellence in data-driven science. While the bioinformatics suite infrastructure is already supported, your expertise will directly impact our ability to deliver cutting-edge research and student training.

About you
We are looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates hands-on experience with NGS data processing pipelines and a solid understanding of genomic data analysis methods
• Is confident working independently and as part of a team
• Can communicate complex technical concepts clearly to researchers and students at different levels
• Is familiar with R and comfortable troubleshooting code and analysis workflows
• Is open to learning and applying tools relevant to modern DNA sequencing and analysis workflows.

Experience with specific tools (e.g., Canu, Flye, Sniffles, PacBio or Nanopore data) is desirable but not essential-we welcome applicants with a strong foundation who are eager to develop these skills on the job.

How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.