Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer

Parsons; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 88,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

401(k)

Life insurance

Flexible work schedules

Holidays

Job summary

Parsons seeks Bioinformatics Analysts/Engineers to support infectious-disease genomics, biosurveillance, and automated pipeline development for federal solutions. Candidates will analyze data from diverse sequencing technologies and enhance workflows, collaborating with lab scientists, software engineers, and CONUS/OCONUS partners. Role involves field demonstrations, training, and potential after-hours support.

U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science with biology experience.
• At least five years of hands-on bioinformatics experience.
• Experience in computer science, genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.
• Programming in Java, Perl, Python, and R.
• Familiar with Illumina, PacBio, and ONT platforms.
• Knowledge of microarray and/or single-cell sequencing technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication, independent thinking, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work under deadlines and in austere environments.
• Willingness for national and international travel (2–4 weeks).
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Analyze NGS data from diverse sample types.
• Develop, test, maintain, and document bioinformatics pipelines.
• Perform QC, assembly, annotation, and taxonomic analyses.
• Conduct phylogenetic and molecular epidemiology analyses.
• Support pathogen discovery and surveillance.
• Benchmark workflows and document performance results.
• Develop scripts, tools, databases, and field-ready methods.
• Prepare data for secure delivery or database submission.
• Support AI/ML analyses when assigned.
• Troubleshoot data, pipelines, and software issues.
• Create technical documentation and training materials.
• Support field demonstrations and partner training.
• Collaborate with scientists, software engineers, and partners.

Skills

Java

Perl

Python

R

Communication

Travel readiness

Containerization

Version control

Education

Master’s degree in bioinformatics/computational biology/computer science with biology

Tools

Illumina

PacBio

ONT

Docker

Git

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description:

Parsons is seeking Bioinformatics Analysts/Engineers to support infectious-disease genomics, biosurveillance, automated pipeline development, and fieldable bioinformatics at NMRC BDRD. These positions will combine genomic-data analysis with software-development and analytical-support responsibilities.

Selected candidates will analyze data from a variety of sequencing technologies and sample types, improve automated workflows, support partner laboratories, and help deliver timely analytical results for biodefense and force health protection.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Process and analyze NGS data from bacterial, viral, bacteriophage, clinical, environmental, wastewater, vector, and animal samples.
• Develop, test, maintain, and document bioinformatics pipelines.
• Perform sequence-quality control, genome assembly, annotation, and taxonomic analysis.
• Conduct phylogenetic, molecular epidemiological, and comparative-genomics analyses.
• Support pathogen discovery and detection of known and novel organisms.
• Benchmark analytical workflows and document performance results.
• Develop or improve scripts, software tools, databases, and fieldable analytical methods.
• Prepare scientific data and metadata for secure delivery or approved database submission.
• Support AI/ML analyses and model testing when assigned.
• Troubleshoot data, pipeline, and software issues.
• Develop technical documentation, user guides, and training materials.
• Support field demonstrations, partner training, and scheduled reach-back assistance.
• Collaborate with laboratory scientists, software engineers, and CONUS or OCONUS partners.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science combined with biology or bioinformatics experience, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of hands‑on bioinformatics experience.
• Demonstrable applied experience in computer science, genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.
• Programming skills using languages and statistical tools such as Java, Perl, Python, and R.
• Familiarity with relevant NGS platforms, including Illumina, PacBio, and ONT technologies.
• Familiarity with microarray and/or single-cell sequencing technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication, independent thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to perform under deadlines and in potentially austere environments.
• Ability to provide occasional after‑hours support based on assigned mission requirements.
• Availability for national and international travel of up to two to four weeks.
• U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance and required Government access.

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring

• Experience with pathogen genomics, metagenomics, biosurveillance, or emerging infectious diseases.
• Experience with reproducible workflows, containers, version control, cloud, or high‑performance computing.
• Experience with genome assembly, annotation, phylogenetics, or molecular epidemiology.
• Experience with wastewater or environmental surveillance.
• Experience with fieldable or disconnected bioinformatics systems.
• Experience supporting DoD or international partner laboratories.
• Experience creating technical documentation or delivering training.
• An active Secret security clearance.

Compliance Note

These positions are expected to be primarily on‑site at Fort Detrick and are contingent upon contract award. Some personnel may participate in scheduled after‑hours or on‑call reach‑back support. Final coverage requirements must be confirmed.

Security Clearance Requirement:

None

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close‑knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range: $88,400.00 - $154,700.00

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best‑in‑class benefits such as:

• medical
• dental
• vision
• paid time off
• 401(k)
• life insurance
• flexible work schedules
• holidays

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—

About Us

Parsons is a digitally enabled solutions provider focused on the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. With nearly 75 years of experience, Parsons is uniquely qualified to deliver cyber/converged security, technology‑based intellectual property, and other innovative services to federal, regional, and local government agencies, as well as to private industrial customers worldwide.

Parsons is an equal opportunity, drug‑free employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/LGBTQ+.

For more about Parsons, visit parsons.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.