Bioinformatics Specialist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Performance incentives

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Bioinformatics Specialist to join a leading biotechnology firm in Durban. The role blends remote work with in-office collaboration, focusing on translating wet-lab insights into computational analyses across genomics, proteomics, and systems biology.

You will develop pipelines, analyze large omics datasets, and contribute to publications while staying current with bioinformatics tools and cloud platforms. A strong programming background and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field (bioinformatics, computational biology, CS, or statistics).
• Proven experience analyzing genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic data.
• Proficient in Python or R with bioinformatics libraries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for high-throughput data (NGS).
• Perform statistical analysis of omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Design and build databases for biological information storage and management.
• Develop scripts and tools to support research workflows.
• Collaborate with biologists and researchers to design experiments and interpret results.
• Visualize complex data to communicate findings to diverse audiences.

Skills

Python

R

Bioinformatics

Data analysis

Education

Master's or PhD in Bioinformatics or related

Tools

BLAST

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biotechnology firm, is seeking a highly skilled Bioinformatics Specialist to join their dynamic research team. This role offers a hybrid work model, combining the flexibility of remote work with the collaborative benefits of in-office engagement at our Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA facility. You will play a crucial role in analyzing complex biological datasets, developing computational tools, and driving discoveries in genomics, proteomics, and systems biology. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in computational biology, excellent programming skills, and a passion for contributing to life-saving research. This position requires a proactive individual who can contribute to a fast-paced, innovative research environment. We are looking for someone who can bridge the gap between wet-lab experiments and computational analysis, leading to significant advancements in our understanding of biological systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for analyzing high-throughput biological data, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpretation of large-scale omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Design and build databases for storing and managing biological information.
• Develop custom scripts and software tools to support research workflows.
• Collaborate with biologists, geneticists, and other researchers to design experiments and interpret results.
• Visualize complex biological data to effectively communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and best practices.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience in analyzing genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with bioinformatics libraries.
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and their application in biological data analysis.
• Experience with standard bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., BLAST, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Familiarity with command-line interfaces and Unix/Linux environments.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working in a hybrid environment.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical aid, provident fund, and performance-based incentives. We provide opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and advanced training. The hybrid work model offers flexibility and work-life balance. Join a collaborative and innovative team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA, and contribute to impactful scientific research.