Lead Bioinformatician - Drug Discovery

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Annual bonus

Career advancement opportunities

State-of-the-art computational资源

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Bioinformatician in George, Western Cape to drive cutting-edge drug discovery. You will design computational strategies for analyzing genomic, proteomic, and translational datasets, identify targets, and optimize lead compounds while mentoring a team.

The role requires a PhD, 7+ years in bioinformatics with leadership, strong ML and statistical skills, and proficiency in Python or R with Biopython, SciPy, and scikit-learn.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in developing and applying statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to biological data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries (e.g., Biopython, SciPy, scikit-learn).
• Extensive experience with various biological databases and data types (e.g., genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, chemical).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) for large-scale data analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in drug discovery or pharmaceutical R&D is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and application of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput screening data, genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic datasets.
• Develop and implement machine learning models for target identification, drug response prediction, and biomarker discovery.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to interpret data and guide experimental design.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reproducibility of all computational analyses.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, and drug discovery methodologies.
• Communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of research initiatives and computational infrastructure development.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

Statistics

Leadership

Python/R

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/CS/Statistics

Tools

Biopython

SciPy

scikit-learn

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned pharmaceutical research organization, is seeking an exceptional Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead their drug discovery efforts in George, Western Cape . This critical role involves developing and implementing advanced computational strategies to analyze complex biological datasets, identify novel drug targets, and optimize lead compounds. You will work at the forefront of computational biology, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to accelerate the discovery pipeline. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, statistical modeling, and machine learning, coupled with a deep understanding of biological pathways and disease mechanisms. As a leader, you will guide a team of talented bioinformaticians, fostering an environment of innovation and scientific rigor. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence the direction of critical research projects and contribute to the development of life-saving therapies. The strategic location in George, Western Cape provides a stimulating setting for groundbreaking research.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and application of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing high-throughput screening data, genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic datasets.
• Develop and implement machine learning models for target identification, drug response prediction, and biomarker discovery.
• Collaborate closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to interpret data and guide experimental design.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, providing technical guidance and fostering professional growth.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reproducibility of all computational analyses.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, and drug discovery methodologies.
• Communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of research initiatives and computational infrastructure development.

Requirements

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in developing and applying statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to biological data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries (e.g., Biopython, SciPy, scikit-learn).
• Extensive experience with various biological databases and data types (e.g., genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, chemical).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) for large-scale data analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in drug discovery or pharmaceutical R&D is highly preferred.

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive salary commensurate with experience, comprehensive medical and dental coverage, a generous annual bonus scheme, and significant opportunities for career advancement. You will have access to state-of-the-art computational resources and collaborate with world-class scientists. Our client is committed to fostering a culture of scientific excellence and personal growth. The picturesque setting of George, Western Cape provides an inspiring backdrop for innovation. This is a unique chance to lead impactful research and shape the future of drug discovery.