Bioinformatics Team Leader - Genomics and Fieldable Analytics

Parsons; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k)

Life insurance

Flexible work schedules

Holidays

Job summary

Parsons seeks a Bioinformatics Team Leader to direct a multidisciplinary group in genomics, pipeline development, and fieldable analytics for national defense-related projects.

You will guide automated pipelines, perform advanced analyses, and apply AI/ML to complex genomic data, while ensuring robust documentation, testing, and field-ready software delivery.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science with biology experience, or related field.
• 10+ years of hands-on bioinformatics experience.
• Experience in genomics, computational biology, and software development.
• Strong programming in Java, Perl, Python, and R.
• Experience with NGS platforms (MiSeq, NovaSeq, NextSeq, iSeq, MiniSeq, PacBio, ONT).
• Willingness to travel internationally and obtain Secret clearance if required.
• U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of bioinformatics analysts and engineers supporting genomic and infectious disease research.
• Develop, validate, benchmark, and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines.
• Oversee genome assembly, annotation, taxonomic profiling, phylogenetics, and molecular epidemiology.
• Guide analysis of clinical, environmental, wastewater, animal, vector, bacterial, viral, and bacteriophage samples.
• Lead testing and evaluation of bioinformatics software for DoD applications.
• Develop fieldable bioinformatics software and analytical workflows.
• Apply AI/ML methods to biological data and ensure reproducibility with documentation and source control.
• Provide training materials and user guides; support field demonstrations.

Skills

Bioinformatics leadership

Genomics & computational biology

NGS platforms knowledge

Programming: Java Perl Python R

Team leadership

Security clearance eligibility

International travel readiness

Communication skills

Education

Bioinformatics/Computational biology/CS degree (PhD or MS)

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 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, 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: $125,100.00 - $225,200.00

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, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

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

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/ .

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.