Lead Bioinformatician

Placements24; Waukee (IA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Annual leave

Professional development

Conference attendance support

Stock options

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Bioinformatician in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA, to spearhead data analysis initiatives across genomics, proteomics, and systems biology.

You will develop computational pipelines, manage large-scale projects, and lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists and data professionals. A PhD or MSc in a quantitative field is preferred, with strong programming and cloud experience. This role offers impactful work in bioinformatics leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Bioinformatics or related field.
• 7+ years in bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Experience with large-scale genomic datasets and cloud computing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., NGS, RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq).
• Manage and process large biological datasets, ensuring data integrity, quality control, and efficient storage.
• Design and conduct statistical analyses and machine learning approaches to identify biological patterns and insights.
• Collaborate with research teams to define analytical strategies for specific experimental goals.
• Develop custom scripts and software tools to facilitate data analysis and visualization.
• Interpret complex results and communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research assistants.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and direction of the bioinformatics division.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security regulations.

Skills

Python

R

Bash

Machine learning

Statistics

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

BLAST

Samtools

GATK

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biotechnology firm, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead their data analysis initiatives in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA. This role is pivotal in unlocking the potential of complex biological datasets, driving discoveries in genomics, proteomics, and systems biology. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing advanced computational pipelines, managing large-scale data projects, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, and data scientists. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational biology, statistical analysis, and machine learning, coupled with a passion for scientific innovation. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the analytical strategies of a rapidly growing company and contribute to groundbreaking research that impacts human health and agricultural science. You will be expected to lead by example, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and continuous improvement within the bioinformatics department. The work environment is highly collaborative, encouraging open discussion and knowledge sharing among team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., NGS, RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq).
• Manage and process large biological datasets, ensuring data integrity, quality control, and efficient storage.
• Design and conduct statistical analyses and machine learning approaches to identify biological patterns and insights.
• Collaborate with research teams to define analytical strategies for specific experimental goals.
• Develop custom scripts and software tools to facilitate data analysis and visualization.Interpret complex results and communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research assistants.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and direction of the bioinformatics division.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security regulations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Proven experience in managing and analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and Bash.
• Experience with bioinformatics databases and relevant software packages (e.g., BLAST, Samtools, GATK).
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning algorithms.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) is a plus.
• Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive compensation package, including an attractive base salary, performance incentives, and comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• We provide generous annual leave, opportunities for professional development, and support for conference attendance.
• Employees benefit from a stimulating work environment in Paarl, access to cutting-edge technologies, and the chance to make a significant impact on scientific discovery.
• Retirement savings plans and stock options are also available.