Principal Scientist, Translational Bioinformatics Contractor

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research institution is seeking a Principal Scientist, Translational Bioinformatics Contractor. This role involves leading bioinformatics efforts, applying AI and multi-omics for precision medicine, and managing relationships with CRO partners. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D., has expertise in NGS algorithms and data science, and offers strong leadership and communication skills. Competitive salary ranges from $120K to $160K annually, with benefits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of exploratory biomarker analysis plans.
• Support clinical development programs with high-quality results.
• Collaborate with teams for multi-omics data analysis.
• Drive innovation using AI/ML methodologies.
• Manage relationships with bioinformatics CRO partners.
• Communicate analytical findings for diverse audiences.
• Shape the AI strategy, building a high-performing team.

Skills

Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics

5+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience

Expertise in NGS algorithms

Proficient in R and Python

Experience with data science and machine learning

Strong communication and storytelling skills

Leadership in cross-cultural environments

Education

Ph.D. (or equivalent experience)

Job description

Job Title: Principal Scientist, Translational Bioinformatics Contractor

Job Number: 36936

Location: Remote

Job Description

In this role, you will lead and advance translational bioinformatics efforts, applying AI/Machine Learning and multi-omics innovations to accelerate clinical development and enable precision medicine.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and execution of exploratory biomarker analysis plans — encompassing genetics, proteomics, RNA‑seq/single‑cell, and imaging data to generate actionable biological insights. Define hypotheses, endpoints, and statistical methodologies to ensure robust, reproducible analyses.

• Support clinical development programs by delivering high‑quality exploratory biomarker results and analyses that meet project timelines and regulatory‑grade standards for data integrity, traceability, and documentation.

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Clinical, Research, Biostatistics) to perform or direct multi‑omics data analysis and integration across diverse datasets, applying state‑of‑the‑art algorithms to address key biological and clinical questions.

• Drive innovation by leveraging advanced bioinformatics, data science, and AI/ML methodologies to interrogate complex, high‑dimensional datasets—advancing understanding of mechanisms of action, drug response biomarkers, and patient stratification strategies.

• Lead and manage relationships with bioinformatics CRO partners, developing clear work plans, maintaining effective communication, and ensuring delivery of high‑quality outputs.

• Communicate complex analytical findings through clear, compelling narratives tailored for clinical teams, governance bodies, and external audiences (e.g., conference posters and scientific manuscripts).

• Shape and scale the translational bioinformatics and AI strategy, building a lean, high‑performing team and external network to drive innovation and support the future growth of the clinical pipeline.

Required Skills

• Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or a related discipline, with 5+ years of biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience and a strong record of publication in peer‑reviewed journals.

• Expertise in next‑generation sequencing (NGS) algorithms, analytical pipelines, and applications, including single‑cell genomics.

• Proficient in coding (e.g., R, Python) with extensive experience using public bioinformatics databases, emerging computational technologies, and reproducible research practices.

• Scientifically curious and innovative, with a proven ability to identify key biological questions that can be addressed computationally, and to design and implement effective analytical solutions independently or in collaboration with cross‑functional teams.

• Hands‑on experience in data science, machine learning, and AI, including evaluating and deploying computational models to derive biological or clinical insights.

• Demonstrated ability to bridge computation and biology, combining technical depth with an entrepreneurial mindset to translate innovative concepts into clinically meaningful impact.

• Strong foundation in human biology and disease mechanisms is highly desirable.

• Excellent communication, data visualization, and storytelling skills, with the ability to distill complex findings for diverse scientific and strategic audiences.

• Proven leadership in collaborative, cross‑cultural environments, with success managing remote partnerships and influencing strategic decision‑making across all organizational levels.

Competitive salary $120‑160K USD/year and benefits included.