Sr. Bioinformatics Scientist, MRD

4100 Exact Sciences Corp; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to lead MRD program efforts, collaborating with senior scientists to drive data-centric decision making. You will manage data collection, curation, model building, and validation across end-to-end data science workflows, including ML/AI approaches.

The role emphasizes independent method development, project planning, and contribution to diagnostic assay product development while ensuring compliance and effective communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry or academia experience in bioinformatics.
• 3+ years in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science or pharma.
• Ability to write code in at least three programming or scripting languages.

Responsibilities

• Serve as bioinformatics lead on complex R&D projects.
• Independently analyze data, interpret results, and propose next steps.
• Develop methods and study designs for new studies in MRD programs.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Computational biology

Linux

HPC

Cloud computing

Programming languages

Education

Ph.D. in bioinformatics

Master’s in bioinformatics

Bachelor’s in bioinformatics

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Position Overview

The Senior Bioinformatics Scientist will serve as a technical lead and subject matter expert within the Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) program, working collaboratively with senior scientists and leaders on complex R&D projects. In this role, you will participate in or lead the planning of projects and analyses, and often act as the bioinformatics lead responsible for successful project execution. You will independently determine methods and procedures for new assignments, make detailed observations, analyze data, interpret results, and provide insights that shape the next steps and direction of the project. Your work will center on developing novel methods to identify and integrate genomic and epigenetic biomarkers that improve the sensitivity and specificity of MRD assays, contributing end-to-end across the data science workflow: collecting public datasets, curating internal data, forming hypotheses, building and validating models, and exploring machine learning and AI-based approaches. You will also research new technologies, contribute ideas and concepts to improve or develop processes, and help establish methods and workflows that advance product development toward diagnostic assay products.

Essential Duties Include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Technical leadership: Serve as bioinformatics lead and subject matter expert on one or more complex R&D projects, including those supporting diagnostic assay product development, and lead or participate in project and analysis planning.
• Analysis and interpretation: Independently analyze experimental data across several product or technology areas, interpret results, identify trends, problems, and discrepancies, and recommend next steps and project direction.
• Complex problem solving: Tackle problems of extremely complex scope where intangible variables must be evaluated, applying independent judgment to define methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.
• Method and study design: Independently develop methods, procedures, and development plans for new studies, and give technical input on project planning and experimental design.
• Data and computational management: Manage bench-generated data and bioinformatics outputs in HPC or cloud computing environments, selecting and applying the right methods and technologies.
• Data quality: Evaluate the impact of nonconforming data on products or processes and address trends in study data.
• Innovation and IP: Track industry and technology developments, propose new techniques, lead process improvements, and contribute to the intellectual property portfolio.
• Communication and presentation: Present and defend scientific findings at data, group, project, and departmental meetings, and communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels, including functional managers and the clinical lab.
• Documentation and compliance: Prepare and approve technical procedures, protocols, and reports, support abstracts, conferences, and publications, and follow legal, ISO, QSR, and Quality Management System requirements.
• Mentorship and collaboration: Train and mentor research associates and junior scientists, foster a trusting, collaborative team environment, and manage multiple projects with shifting priorities. Maintain regular and reliable attendance. Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization. Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, mathematics, or related field; or Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, mathematics, or related field plus 4 years of experience in lieu of a Ph.D.; or Bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, mathematics, or related field plus 6 years of experience in lieu of Ph.D. 5+ years of industry or academia experience in bioinformatics. 3+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science or pharmaceutical industry. Extensive experience in Linux-based HPC or cloud computing environments and associated tools. Ability to write custom code in at least three programming or scripting languages. Technical expert in the area of molecular biology and/or biochemistry and/or next-generation sequencing (NGS) and genomics. Knowledge of product/assay research, design, or development. Working knowledge of statistical and mathematical methods in biology/genetics Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

8+ years of experience in medical device/IVD, biotech, life science or pharmaceutical industry. Previous experience as a project lead for a team of scientists. 1+ years of direct people leadership and management experience. Previous industry experience in product development or technical support. Background containing a substantial amount of bioinformatics work including troubleshooting. Previous experience working in a molecular diagnostics/clinical laboratory setting.

Pay

The base pay for this position is $90,000.00 – $180,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Details

JOB FAMILY: Research and Discovery DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > La Jolla : Torrey Pines Science Park ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: No MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next-generation diagnostics, life-changing devices, science-based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.