Computational Biologist - Fully Remote

Mercor; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercor in San Francisco seeks a bioinformatics researcher to perform realistic data-analysis tasks in genomics and develop reproducible analyses. You will craft questions with exact answers and anonymize datasets for model analysis.

You will use bioinformatics tools and coding to generate structured outputs, and build a Jupyter notebook in Python or R to reproduce results. Clear interpretation and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in bioinformatics or related field.
• Experience analyzing sequencing/omics data from raw reads to interpretation.
• Proficiency with listed bioinformatics tools and scripting languages.
• Ability to write and run reproducible Jupyter notebooks.
• Strong scientific writing and data communication.

Responsibilities

• Complete multi-step scientific data-analysis tasks in bioinformatics.
• Write original bioinformatics questions with exact and objective answers.
• Choose and anonymize data from public archives or private datasets for model analysis.
• Use software, code, and CLI tools to generate reproducible analyses and outputs.
• Develop a Jupyter validation notebook in Python or R reproducing correct answers.
• Interpret results and communicate assumptions, uncertainty, and conclusions.

Skills

RNA-seq analysis

Omics data analysis

Jupyter notebooks

Bioinformatics tooling

Scientific writing

Education

Master's or PhD in bioinformatics or related field

Tools

samtools

bcftools

bedtools

BWA

Bowtie2

BLAST

Python (pandas, Biopython, pysam)

R/Bioconductor (DESeq2, edgeR, limma)

Job description

What you'll do:

• Complete realistic, multi-step scientific data-analysis tasks in bioinformatics

• Write original bioinformatics questions where each answer is exact and objective

• Choose and anonymize data (e.g. from public archives such as GEO, SRA/ENA, ArrayExpress, PRIDE, PDB, MGnify or from your own unpublished lab data) for the model to analyze

• Use scientific software, code, and command-line tools to generate reproducible analyses and structured final outputs

• Develop a Jupyter validation notebook, analyzing the data in Python or R, which reproduces the correct answer to your question

• Interpret results in the context of the underlying biological or translational question, clearly communicating assumptions, uncertainty, and conclusions

Who we’re looking for:

• Masters or PhD (or equivalent research experience) in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, statistical genetics, quantitative biology or a closely related field

• Hands-on experience analyzing sequencing and omics data (bulk or single-cell RNA-seq, WGS/WES, variant calling, metagenomics, proteomics or similar), from raw reads to interpretation

• Experience with one or more of the following tools: samtools, bcftools, bedtools, BWA, Bowtie2, BLAST, plus Python (pandas, Biopython, pysam) or R/Bioconductor (DESeq2, edgeR, limma, GenomicRanges)

• Able to write and run Jupyter notebooks that reproduce your work exactly

• Clear, precise scientific writing

• Access to unpublished or private datasets you have the right to share is a strong plus

• Deep knowledge of at least one niche area, such as a non-model organism, an unusual assay, or a specialized area of genomic interpretation is a strong plus