Senior Bioinformatician

Wellcome Sanger Institute; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institute is seeking a Senior Bioinformatician to support single-cell and spatial transcriptomic studies. The role involves generating data analyses, interpreting large datasets, and working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team. Candidates should have an MSc in a relevant field and experience in Python and R programming. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Employer wellbeing programme

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work culture

Qualifications

• MSc or equivalent in Bioinformatics or relevant discipline.
• Experience in high-level programming languages.
• Knowledge in genomics and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead data analysis for single-cell genomics studies.
• Design innovative analysis strategies for biological insights.
• Prepare data reports and manuscripts for publication.

Skills

Programming in Python

Programming in R

Problem-solving skills

Understanding of genomics

Ability to summarize complex information

Education

MSc in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

Unix Shell

Job description

Overview

Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

We are seeking a permanent Senior Bioinformatician to support single-cell and spatial transcriptomic studies in the Vento Lab as part of a collaborative project with the Wellcome Leap: The Missed Vital Sign. This role will aid multiple computational projects across the lab, focusing on single cell and spatial analysis of female reproductive tissues using cutting edge analysis frameworks and AI-driven approaches. The position involves working within an interdisciplinary team of reproductive biologists, immunologists, wet lab scientists and computer scientists.

Relevant publication of the group:

• CellPhoneDB v5: inferring cell-cell communication from single-cell multiomics data. Troulé K, Petryszak R, Cakir B, Cranley J, Harasty A, Prete M, Tuong ZK, Teichmann SA, Garcia-Alonso L, Vento-Tormo R. Nat Protoc. 2025 Mar 25.
• An integrated single-cell reference atlas of the human endometrium. Marečková M, Garcia-Alonso L, Moullet M, Lorenzi V, Petryszak R, Sancho-Serra C, Oszlanczi A, Icoresi Mazzeo C, Wong FCK, Kelava I, Hoffman S, Krassowski M, Garbutt K, Gaitskell K, Yancheva S, Woon EV, Male V, Granne I, Hellner K, Mahbubani KT, Saeb-Parsy K, Lotfollahi M, Prigmore E, Southcombe J, Dragovic RA, Becker CM, Zondervan KT, Vento-Tormo R. Nat Genet. 2024 Sep;56(9):1925-1937.
• Spatial multiomics map of trophoblast development in early pregnancy. Arutyunyan A, Roberts K, Troulé K, Wong FCK, Sheridan MA, Kats I, Garcia-Alonso L, Velten B, Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Sancho-Serra C, Shilts J, Handfield LF, Marconato L, Tuck E, Gardner L, Mazzeo CI, Li Q, Kelava I, Wright GJ, Prigmore E, Teichmann SA, Bayraktar OA, Moffett A, Stegle O, Turco MY, Vento-Tormo R. Nature. 2023 Apr;616(7955):143-151.
• Single-cell roadmap of human gonadal development. Garcia-Alonso L, Lorenzi V, Mazzeo CI, Alves-Lopes JP, Roberts K, Sancho-Serra C, Engelbert J, Marečková M, Gruhn WH, Botting RA, Li T, Crespo B, van Dongen S, Kiselev VY, Prigmore E, Herbert M, Moffett A, Chédotal A, Bayraktar OA, Surani A, Haniffa M, Vento-Tormo R. Nature. 2022 Jul;607(7919):540-547.

What you will be doing:

• Generating and leading the data analysis, and interpret large single-cell genomics data relating to the Wellcome Leap funded project: The Missed Vital Sign generated by the group, shared by collaborators and publicly available, including multi-omic and spatial datasets (e.g. scRNAseq, scATAC, 10x Genomics Visium and Xenium).
• Using molecular and cellular biology expertise to independently interpret complex data, make context-aware analytical decisions and design analyses that are guided by biological insight.
• Implementing innovative and creative data analysis strategies to aid in the pursuit of biological insights and clinical translation using single-cell research.
• Working in a team to answer research questions formulated together with the members of Vento-Tormo Lab, and with team members across the wider Institute as appropriate. Contribute to problem-solving discussions to solve complicated or multifaceted problems and generate novel ideas and new approaches.
• Organising and keeping track of developed codes and generated data within the group.
• Providing feedback and results to project leaders when required to achieve deadlines.
• Preparing high-quality data reports and manuscripts to communicate results, including through publication and presentations at scientific meetings.
• Taking a full part in the general duties of the team, and to pass on skills and knowledge to other team members and visitors.

About You:

You are passionate about cell biology and want to make a real difference by helping us understand human tissues in detail and turning those insights into meaningful discoveries. You will be supported in your personal and professional development and have the opportunity to lead peer-reviewed publications on single cell and spatial genomics approaches.

Essential Skills:

• MSc in a relevant discipline, such as Computational Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Biomedicine, or a quantitative field (e.g. Physics, Engineering, Applied Statistics/Mathematics); or equivalent working experience in Bioinformatics or a related area.
• Experience programming in high-level scripting languages (Preferably Python and/or R), and the Unix Shell
• Understanding and some experience in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, data processing and high-throughput data analysis
• Extensive experience in a research environment with an established track record of productivity through publications, or writing reports in the industry
• Enthusiastic, proactive attitude and desire to learn
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work collaboratively to develop practical and creative solutions
• Ability to organise own workload and manage competing priorities
• Ability to summarise complex information and present to a wide variety of audiences in a concise and logical manner
• Demonstrates inclusivity and respect for all

Other Information:

For further information, please see the role profile.

Salary per annum (dependent upon skills and experience): £44,905-£53,349

Application Process:

Please upload your cover letter along with your current CV and complete our short application form to apply.

Closing date: 2nd October 2025

Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger:

We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks, LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others.

We want our people to be whoever they want to be because we believe people who bring their best selves to work, do their best work. That\'s why we\'re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.

Our Benefits:

We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute.

Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.