Bioinformatics Specialist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Professional development

Access to advanced computational tools

Collaborative research environment

Publications support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Bioinformatics Specialist to join its R&D team in Vereeniging. You will analyze complex genomic datasets, develop pipelines, and collaborate with researchers to translate data into actionable insights.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in Bioinformatics or related field, with 2–4 years’ experience, strong Python/R skills, and familiarity with NCBI/Ensembl/UCSC. Hybrid work arrangement offered in South Africa.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Biology, or related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in bioinformatics analysis, preferably in a research setting.
• Proficiency in Python or R and shell scripting (Bash).
• Familiarity with common bioinformatics tools and databases (NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC).
• Experience with processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing data.
• Strong grasp of statistics relevant to biological data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex analysis of NGS data (RNA-Seq, WGS, WES).
• Develop and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for data processing, QC, and variant calling.
• Use Python/R/Bash to automate data analysis tasks.
• Interpret genomic variations and their potential functional impact.
• Collaborate with researchers to define data analysis requirements and present findings.
• Curate and manage biological databases and metadata.
• Troubleshoot computational issues and optimize workflows.
• Stay updated on latest bioinformatics tools and best practices.
• Contribute to reports, presentations, and publications.

Skills

Python

R

Bash

Cloud computing

Education

Master's degree in Bioinformatics

Tools

NCBI

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Bioinformatics Specialist to join their dynamic scientific research and development team in Vereeniging . This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. You will be instrumental in processing, analyzing, and interpreting complex biological datasets, particularly in the field of genomics. Your expertise will support critical research projects, enabling our scientists to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of biological systems. This position requires a strong foundation in bioinformatics tools, programming skills, and a keen interest in applying computational approaches to biological challenges. You will work closely with a team of researchers and data analysts, contributing to the efficient execution of research goals and the development of novel analytical methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform routine and complex analysis of next-generation sequencing data (e.g., RNA-Seq, WGS, WES).
• Develop and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for data processing, quality control, and variant calling.
• Utilize scripting languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash) to automate data analysis tasks.
• Interpret genomic variations and their potential impact on biological function.
• Collaborate with researchers to define data analysis requirements and present findings.
• Curate and manage biological databases and associated metadata.
• Troubleshoot computational issues and optimize workflow performance.
• Stay updated on the latest bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and best practices.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and publications.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Biology, or a related field.
• 2-4 years of experience in bioinformatics analysis, preferably in a research setting.
• Proficiency in at least one scripting language such as Python or R, and experience with shell scripting (Bash).
• Familiarity with common bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Experience with processing and analyzing next-generation sequencing data.
• Understanding of statistical concepts relevant to biological data analysis.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Experience with cloud computing environments is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health insurance benefits.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Access to advanced computational resources.
• Contribution to impactful scientific research projects.