Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche is seeking a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to support Roche Diagnostics molecular assays. You will design and maintain analytical tools for sequencing data from tumor, germline, and cfDNA samples, collaborating with bioinformaticians and wet lab scientists to optimize assay development.

The role requires strong skills in R/Python, Snakemake/Nextflow, and Linux, with a PhD or Masters in a related field and substantial industry experience in clinical diagnostics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of experience in bioinformatics or a related field.
• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, or related field with 2 years industry experience in clinical diagnostics.
• Masters in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, or related field with 5 years industry experience in clinical diagnostics.
• Expertise in DNA/RNA sequencing data analysis and interpretation.
• Proficiency in programming in R and/or Python, with Linux experience; C++/Java a plus.
• Strong visualization skills and ability to present complex data clearly.
• Experience building bioinformatics workflows with Snakemake or Nextflow.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain bioinformatics tools and pipelines for clinical diagnostic assay development.
• Collaborate with biologists and wet-lab scientists to optimize high‑throughput sequencing assays.
• Troubleshoot data quality and accessibility across the diagnostic workflow for internal and external stakeholders.
• Document, train, and scale algorithms, tools, and workflows to ensure reproducibility.
• Communicate project outcomes and progress to multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

R

Python

Snakemake

Nextflow

DNA sequencing

Linux

C++

Java

Data visualization

Bioinformatics

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related

Masters in Bioinformatics or related

Tools

Snakemake

Nextflow

Linux

R

Python

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to support the development of Roche Diagnostics Molecular Assays that have a global impact on patient care. This role requires a broad understanding of assay development across diverse technologies, including NGS, Nanopore sequencing, and PCR. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with bioinformaticians, wet lab scientists, and external customers to design, implement, and maintain internal algorithms and tools for clinical diagnostic assay development.

The Opportunity

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of molecular and computational biologists, as well as wet lab scientists, to design, optimize, and troubleshoot advanced high-throughput sequencing assays and workflows for clinical diagnostic applications. Contribute bioinformatics expertise throughout the assay development lifecycle, including initial sequencing, validation, and production implementation, by developing and maintaining analytical tools and pipelines for processing diagnostic data from tumor, germline, and cell‑free DNA samples. Create, implement, and streamline bioinformatics tools and workflows in partnership with wet lab scientists to enhance assay development efficiency and data quality. Provide hands‑on troubleshooting to ensure data quality, integrity, and accessibility across the diagnostic workflow, while addressing the needs of internal and external stakeholders through scientific and business analyses. Advocate for best practices in documenting, training, and scaling algorithms, tools, and workflows to ensure reproducibility and scalability. Communicate project outcomes and team progress across various teams and organizational functions to promote alignment and collaboration.

Who You Are

• You have a Bachelor's Degree and 7+ years of experience
• You have a PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, or a related field with 2 years of industry experience in clinical diagnostics or a related domain
• You have a Masters degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, or a related field with 5 years of industry experience in clinical diagnostics or a related domain
• You have expertise in DNA/RNA sequencing data analysis and interpretation
• You have a strong understanding of molecular biology principles and hands‑on familiarity with next‑generation sequencing laboratory processes
• You are proficient in programming skills in R and/or Python, with experience working in a distributed Linux environment (Proficiency in C++ or Java is a plus)
• You are proficient in creating clear, insightful visualizations of complex biological data, with strong presentation skills
• You are skilled in writing and maintaining bioinformatics workflows using workflow management systems such as Snakemake or Nextflow
• You have a solid understanding of cancer biology and in vitro diagnostics (IVD)
• Relocation benefits are not available for this posting

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $ 102,100 - $167 7850. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

(Benefits details not provided in posting.)

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together. Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.