Senior Bioinformatician

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement fund contributions

Professional growth opportunities

Conferences and training access

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a cutting-edge biotechnology firm in Queenstown to recruit a Senior Bioinformatician. You will lead data analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets, design pipelines, and mentor junior scientists in a fast-paced R&D setting.

You bring a PhD or MSc in a quantitative field, 5+ years of bioinformatics experience, and strong Python or R skills. Collaboration with biologists and clinicians is essential in advancing diagnostics and biomarker discovery.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of bioinformatics research or data analysis experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R and familiarity with bioinformatics libraries and tools.
• Experience with common bioinformatics algorithms and databases (e.g., BLAST, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Proficiency in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., DNA-Seq, RNA-Seq).
• Experience with statistical analysis and machine learning techniques applied to biological data.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and big data technologies is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to manage projects and deliver high-quality results.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput sequencing data.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpretation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Apply machine learning techniques to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and discover novel insights.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and other researchers to define analytical needs and deliver solutions.
• Develop and implement algorithms for sequence alignment, variant calling, gene expression analysis, and pathway analysis.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and efficient data management.
• Visualize and present complex biological data and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and biological sciences.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Contribute to scientific publications and grant proposals.

Skills

Python or R

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/CS/Statistics

Tools

Bioconductor

BLAST

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm specializing in genomics and personalized medicine, is seeking a Senior Bioinformatician to enhance their R&D capabilities in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This role is integral to the analysis and interpretation of large-scale biological datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. You will develop and implement sophisticated computational pipelines, statistical analyses, and machine learning models to drive discovery in areas such as disease diagnostics, drug target identification, and biomarker development. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in computational biology, statistics, and programming, with a proven track record of contributing to impactful biological research. As a senior member of the team, you will mentor junior bioinformaticians, collaborate with molecular biologists and clinicians, and contribute to the strategic direction of bioinformatics initiatives. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of biology and computation in a rapidly evolving field. The role is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, a region fostering scientific growth and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput sequencing data.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpretation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Apply machine learning techniques to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and discover novel insights.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and other researchers to define analytical needs and deliver solutions.
• Develop and implement algorithms for sequence alignment, variant calling, gene expression analysis, and pathway analysis.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and efficient data management.
• Visualize and present complex biological data and findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and biological sciences.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Contribute to scientific publications and grant proposals.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in bioinformatics research or data analysis.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, and familiarity with bioinformatics libraries and tools.
• Experience with common bioinformatics algorithms and databases (e.g., BLAST, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Proficiency in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., DNA-Seq, RNA-Seq).
• Experience with statistical analysis and machine learning techniques applied to biological data.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and big data technologies is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Proven ability to manage projects and deliver high-quality results.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, retirement fund contributions, and a dynamic work environment.
• We provide excellent opportunities for professional growth, including access to specialized training and conferences.
• Employees benefit from working with state-of-the-art technologies and contributing to significant advancements in biotechnology.
• Located in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, this role offers a unique chance to impact personalized medicine and diagnostics.
• Additional benefits include generous paid time off and a supportive team culture.
• Join us in pushing the boundaries of biological discovery.