Bioinformatics Scientist

Afrique Connection Consultancy; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A research consultancy in Durban is looking for an experienced Bioinformatics Scientist to lead impactful research for clinical trials. The successful candidate will ensure high-quality data generation and support multi-omics research while mentoring junior researchers. With responsibilities including the development of advanced computational pipelines and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, the ideal candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant field and possess strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Expertise in genomics and bioinformatics at a PhD level.
• Strong background in viral, bacterial and human genome analysis.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead genomics and bioinformatics analyses for clinical trials.
• Ensure analyses meet scientific and ethical standards.
• Develop computational pipelines for multi-omics data.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Data analysis using R

Data analysis using Python

Data analysis using Java

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences

PhD in Computational Biology

PhD in Bioinformatics

Job description

Our client is seeking to appoint an experienced Bioinformatics Scientist to lead and support high-impact research that underpins clinical trial and translational research agenda.

The successful candidate will be based at the 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.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development and execution of genomics and bioinformatics analyses supporting our 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 maintain 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, including participation in 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, Python, Java or other biostatistical or programming languages.

Proven publication record and experience contributing to or leading grant applications.

Experience in supervising and / or mentoring postgraduate students and junior researchers.

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Research, Science, and Health Care Provider

Industries

Non-profit Organizations, Biotechnology Research, and Health and Human Services

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa