Bioinformatics Team Leader - Genomics and Fieldable Analytics

Parsons; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons seeks a Bioinformatics Team Leader to guide a multidisciplinary team delivering automated pipelines, genome analysis, and fieldable analytics for NMRC BDRD. The role focuses on DoD-relevant projects, genomic epidemiology, and scalable software development. Strong leadership, advanced bioinformatics and programming skills are essential.

Travel internationally may be required and a Secret clearance is expected; on-site work at Fort Detrick will be typical, with reach-back support as needed.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or master's in bioinformatics, computational biology, CS with bio focus.
• At least 10 years hands-on bioinformatics experience.
• Expert programming with Java, Perl, Python and R.
• Familiarity with NGS platforms and sequencing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead bioinformatics analysts and engineers supporting genomic and infectious-disease research.
• Develop, validate, benchmark, and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines.
• Perform or oversee genome assembly, annotation, taxonomic profiling, phylogenetics, and molecular epidemiology.
• Guide bioinformatics analysis of clinical, environmental, wastewater, and other samples.
• Lead testing and evaluation of bioinformatics software for DoD applications.
• Develop fieldable bioinformatics software and analytical workflows.
• Apply AI/ML methods to biological and genomic data.
• Establish reproducible methods, documentation, and source-control practices.

Skills

Leadership

Java

Python

Perl

R

Verbal/written communication

Travel international

Education

Ph.D. in bioinformatics or computational biology

Master's in bioinformatics or computational biology

Graduate degree in computer science with biology/bioinformatics focus

Tools

NGS platforms (MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq)

PacBio

ONT MinION/GridION

Workflow engines

Containerization (Docker/Singularity)

Cloud/HPC environments

Job description

Job Description:

Parsons is seeking a Bioinformatics Team Leader - Genomics and Fieldable Analytics to lead bioinformatics, computational biology, pipeline-development, and software-engineering support for NMRC BDRD. This key-personnel position will guide a multidisciplinary bioinformatics team supporting pathogen genomics, biosurveillance, emerging-threat response, and fieldable analytical capabilities.

The successful candidate will provide senior technical leadership for automated pipelines, genomic analysis, AI and machine-learning methods, fieldable software, international laboratory support, and operational reach-back.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead a team of bioinformatics analysts and engineers supporting genomic and infectious-disease research.
• Develop, validate, benchmark, and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines.
• Perform or oversee genome assembly, annotation, taxonomic profiling, phylogenetics, and molecular epidemiology.
• Guide bioinformatics analysis of clinical, environmental, wastewater, animal, vector, bacterial, viral, and bacteriophage samples.
• Lead the testing and evaluation of bioinformatics software and methods for DoD applications.
• Develop or improve fieldable bioinformatics software and analytical workflows.
• Apply AI or machine-learning methods to biological and genomic data.
• Establish reproducible methods, documentation, source-control practices, and quality standards.
• Develop user guides, training materials, and technical documentation.
• Support field demonstrations and training for laboratory personnel and field operators.
• Coordinate scheduled reach-back support, including support outside standard business hours when required.
• Collaborate with CONUS and OCONUS partners in resource-limited or potentially austere environments.
• Communicate technical findings through reports, briefings, publications, and presentations.

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Ph.D. or master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science combined with biology or bioinformatics experience, or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of hands-on bioinformatics experience.
• Demonstrable multiyear experience in computer science, genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.
• Expert programming ability using languages and statistical tools such as Java, Perl, Python, and R.
• Familiarity with NGS platforms and technologies such as MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq, MiSeq i100/i100 Plus, PacBio, and ONT platforms such as MinION or GridION.
• Familiarity with microarray and/or single-cell sequencing technologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, independent judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work under deadlines.
• Ability to provide occasional after-hours support based on assigned mission requirements.
• Ability to travel internationally and perform in potentially austere environments.
• 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 leading bioinformatics or scientific software-development teams.
• Experience with pathogen genomics, metagenomics, bacteriophages, or biosurveillance.
• Experience with workflow engines, version control, containerization, cloud or high-performance computing, and reproducible analysis.
• Experience developing disconnected or fieldable analytical software.
• Experience with AI/ML model development and validation using biological data.
• Experience training international laboratory personnel or field operators.
• Experience supporting DoD, NMRC, Navy Medicine, or another federal laboratory.
• An active Secret security clearance.

Compliance Note

This key-personnel position is expected to be primarily on-site at Fort Detrick and is contingent upon contract award. Participation in scheduled on-call or after-hours reach-back may be required outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays. The final support schedule and service levels must be confirmed before publication.

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, pr