Computational Biologist - Bioinformatics Analysis

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tech stipend

Professional development

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a talented Computational Biologist to join a leading genomics research center. The role is fully remote and focuses on analyzing complex biological data, developing bioinformatics pipelines, and contributing to discoveries in cancer, infectious diseases, or personalized medicine.

You will collaborate with a global team of biologists and bioinformaticians, work with HPC resources, publish results, and stay current with advances in computational biology.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative bio field.
• Experience analyzing large-scale NGS datasets.
• Proficiency in Python or R and bioinformatics libraries.
• Experience with Linux/Unix and scripting.
• Familiarity with BLAST, UCSC Genome Browser, Ensembl.
• Strong statistical understanding for biological data.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration for remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data (WGS, WES, RNA-seq).
• Perform data QC, variant calling, and functional annotation.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods to biological data.
• Integrate multi-omics data to derive insights.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to interpret results.
• Develop and maintain databases and data warehousing solutions for biological information.
• Write clear documentation for code, pipelines, and analyses.
• Present research findings to internal teams and at conferences.
• Stay current with advancements in computational biology and bioinformatics.

Skills

Python

R

Statistical analysis

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Ph.D./Master’s in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

BLAST

UCSC Genome Browser

Ensembl

Linux/Unix scripting

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading genomics research center, is seeking a talented Computational Biologist to join their team, with the role being fully remote. This position offers the exciting opportunity to analyze complex biological data, develop bioinformatics pipelines, and contribute to significant discoveries in areas such as cancer research, infectious diseases, or personalized medicine. The ideal candidate will possess strong programming skills, a deep understanding of biological systems, and experience with various bioinformatics tools and databases. You will work collaboratively with a global team of biologists, geneticists, and bioinformaticians, leveraging high-performance computing resources. This role is a remote-first position, emphasizing asynchronous communication, flexible work hours, and a strong commitment to team collaboration through digital platforms. While conceptually associated with Queenstown, Eastern Cape, ZA, the work is performed entirely remotely, allowing for the recruitment of top talent worldwide. Join us in advancing the frontiers of biological research through data-driven insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-seq).
• Perform data quality control, variant calling, and functional annotation.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods to biological data.
• Integrate multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) to derive biological insights.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to interpret results and design future experiments.
• Develop and maintain databases and data warehousing solutions for biological information.
• Write clear and comprehensive documentation for code, pipelines, and analyses.
• Present research findings to internal teams and at scientific conferences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and relevant biological fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, Genetics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience in analyzing large-scale biological datasets, particularly NGS data.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Experience with command-line environments (Linux/Unix) and scripting.
• Familiarity with common bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., BLAST, UCSC Genome Browser, Ensembl).
• Solid understanding of statistical principles and their application to biological data.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, essential for a remote team.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, potential for annual bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement savings.
• We provide a technology stipend to ensure you have the necessary resources for your remote workspace.
• Opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and specialized training, are readily available.
• This fully remote position offers flexibility and the chance to contribute to impactful scientific research, working within a dynamic and supportive virtual team environment.