Senior Computational Biologist - Genomics and Drug Discovery

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid work model

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a cutting-edge biotechnology firm in Queenstown to recruit a Senior Computational Biologist. The role focuses on analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data, developing computational pipelines, and identifying therapeutic targets.

You will collaborate with experimental teams, mentor junior scientists, publish findings, and contribute to drug discovery programs using Python/R, cloud platforms, and state-of-the-art analytics in a hybrid Queenstown setting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or industry experience in computational biology, with a strong focus on analyzing large-scale omics data.
• Proficiency in Python or R and related bioinformatics libraries/tools (e.g., Bioconductor, Samtools, GATK).
• Strong understanding of statistical principles and machine learning techniques for biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP) and big data technologies.
• Familiarity with sequencing technologies (Illumina, PacBio) and data formats.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities for a hybrid work model.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyze large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic datasets using advanced bioinformatics tools and statistical methods.
• Develop and implement computational pipelines for variant calling, gene expression analysis, pathway analysis, and network inference.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, chemists, and clinicians to design experiments and interpret results in drug discovery.
• Identify and prioritize novel drug targets and biomarkers based on multi-omics data integration.
• Develop and maintain robust codebases and databases for managing and analyzing biological data.
• Stay abreast of advancements in computational biology, genomics, and machine learning.
• Communicate findings clearly through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and contribute to strategic direction of the team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics

Tools

Python

R

Bioconductor

Samtools

GATK

AWS

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm at the intersection of genomics and drug discovery, is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist to join their innovative research team. This hybrid role, based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, will focus on the analysis of large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. You will play a crucial part in developing and implementing sophisticated computational strategies, algorithms, and pipelines to interpret complex biological data and drive research programs forward. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to impactful discoveries in a collaborative environment, working with state-of-the-art technologies and a team of leading scientists. We are passionate about harnessing the power of genomics to transform healthcare and invite you to join our mission from our Queenstown facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic datasets using advanced bioinformatics tools and statistical methods.
• Develop and implement computational pipelines for variant calling, gene expression analysis, pathway analysis, and network inference.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, chemists, and clinicians to design experiments and interpret results in the context of drug discovery.
• Identify and prioritize novel drug targets and biomarkers based on multi-omics data integration.
• Develop and maintain robust codebases and databases for managing and analyzing biological data.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, genomics, and machine learning.
• Communicate findings clearly and effectively through presentations, reports, and publications to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and contribute to the strategic direction of the computational biology group in Queenstown.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoctoral or industry experience in computational biology, with a strong focus on analyzing large-scale omics data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries and tools (e.g., Bioconductor, Samtools, GATK).
• Strong understanding of statistical principles and machine learning techniques applicable to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and big data technologies.
• Familiarity with various sequencing technologies (e.g., Illumina, PacBio) and their associated data formats.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical‑thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, essential for a hybrid work model.
• Track record of publications in peer‑reviewed journals is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid time off. This hybrid role provides flexibility while ensuring collaborative engagement. We are committed to fostering professional growth through training programs, conference attendance, and opportunities to work on impactful genomics and drug discovery projects. Join our dynamic team in Queenstown and contribute to pioneering research at the forefront of biotechnology.