Bioinformatics Scientist

CAPRISA; Durban; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global research organization is seeking a Bioinformatics Scientist to lead impactful research in Durban. The successful applicant will oversee bioinformatics analyses to support critical clinical trials and cohort studies, engage with multidisciplinary teams, and ensure high-quality data management. The role requires a PhD in a related field and expertise in genomics, alongside strong programming and data analysis skills. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to significant scientific advancements and support the training of junior researchers.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field is mandatory.
• Expertise in genomics and bioinformatics at a PhD level.
• Strong background in viral and bacterial genome analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of bioinformatics analyses for clinical trials.
• Ensure analyses adhere to scientific and data governance standards.
• Develop computational pipelines for multi-omics data.

Skills

Genomics expertise

Bioinformatics analysis

Data analysis with R

Data analysis with Python

Data management

Statistical modeling

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences

PhD in Computational Biology

PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

R

Python

Java

Job description

About the Organisation

CAPRISA is an award-winning global research organisation located on the campus of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa and undertakes research in HIV, TB and COVID at four clinical research sites in KwaZulu Natal.

CAPRISA's goal is to undertake globally relevant and locally responsive research that contributes to understanding HIV Vaccines and Pathogenesis, Prevention and Epidemiology, the links between Tuberculosis and AIDS treatment and COVID-19. CAPRISA is a UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for HIV Research and Policy and is recognised as a DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention and hosts the SAMRC HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit.

Job Description

CAPRISA is seeking to appoint an experienced Bioinformatics Scientist to lead and support high-impact research that underpins CAPRISA's clinical trial and translational research agenda. The successful candidate will be based at the CAPRISA Doris Duke Medical Research Institute in Durban and will play a central role in driving scientific discovery, supporting multi-omics research and ensuring high-quality data generation and analysis. This role requires scientific leadership, strong analytical skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and execution of genomics and bioinformatics analyses supporting CAPRISA's clinical trials and cohort studies (including host, viral, bacterial, and metagenomic datasets).
• Ensure all analyses meet rigorous scientific, ethical, and data governance standards.
• Develop, optimise, and maintaiin computational pipelines for multi-omics data, including 16S / shotgun metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and viral genomics.
• Provide bioinformatics support for manuscript development, grant applications, proposal writing, and scientific presentations.
• Work collaboratively with laboratory scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and data science teams to generate integrated biological insights.
• Perform high-level data management, curation, QC, and statistical modelling using R, Python, Java, or similar analytical frameworks.
• Supervise, mentor and support postgraduate students and junior scientists in bioinformatics and computational biology.
• Contribute to scientific leadership withing CAPRISA, including participation iin working groups, capacity-building initiatives, and innovation platforms.

Qualifications & Requirements

• PhD in Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Demonstrate expertise in genomics and bioinformatics experience at a PhD level.
• Strong background in viral, bacterial and human genome analysis, including familiarity with next-generation sequencing platforms and computational workflows.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis using R, Phyton, JAVA or other biostatistical or programming languages.
• Proven publication record and experience contributing to or lead grant applications.
• Experience in supervising and / or mentoring postgraduate students and junior researchers.

How to Apply

Send your CV