Lead Bioinformatician - Genomic Data Analysis (Remote)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Technology stipend

Professional development funding

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Bioinformatician for a remote-first role to lead genomic data analysis and pipeline development. You will guide projects, mentor researchers, and collaborate with scientists across disciplines from your home office, with Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA noted as a location reference.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. and 8+ years in bioinformatics, with Python/R/Perl, NGS data, and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics or related quantitative field.
• 8+ years in bioinformatics with genomic data analysis focus.
• Proficient in Python and R; Perl experience is a plus.
• Experience with NGS data analysis (WGS/WES/RNA‑seq).
• Remote work experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of scalable bioinformatics pipelines.
• Analyze large genomic/transcriptomic datasets and identify signatures.
• Collaborate with biologists and clinicians to interpret findings.
• Develop statistical models and ML algorithms for predictive analytics.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and best practices.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and researchers.
• Present findings to teams and at conferences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and IP development.
• Maintain bioinformatics databases and computational infrastructure.

Skills

Python

R

Bioinformatics

Machine Learning

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics / related field

Tools

NCBI

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

AWS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering biotechnology firm, is seeking an exceptional Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead critical research initiatives. This role is pivotal in analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to drive discovery in novel therapeutic areas. As a remote-first position, you will collaborate with a distributed team of world-class scientists and researchers, leveraging cutting-edge computational tools and methodologies. You will be responsible for developing and implementing advanced bioinformatic pipelines, contributing to key research projects, and guiding the interpretation of complex biological data. This is an unparalleled opportunity to make a significant impact on human health from the comfort of your home office, contributing to groundbreaking discoveries in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and optimization of scalable bioinformatics pipelines for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data analysis.
• Analyze large datasets to identify genetic variations, gene expression patterns, and molecular signatures relevant to disease.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret research findings and guide experimental design.
• Develop and implement statistical models and machine learning algorithms for predictive analytics and biomarker discovery.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and adherence to best practices in computational biology.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research staff in computational approaches.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and related fields.
• Present research findings to internal teams and at scientific conferences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and the development of intellectual property.
• Manage and maintain bioinformatics databases and computational infrastructure.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with a strong focus on genomic data analysis.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing bioinformatics pipelines using languages like Python, R, or Perl.
• Proficiency with bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) for large-scale data analysis.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor junior team members.
• Experience in a remote work setting is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package designed for remote professionals. This includes a flexible work schedule, excellent health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, and substantial paid time off. We provide a technology stipend to ensure you have the best equipment for your home office. Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development are abundant, with funding available for relevant training and conferences. You will be part of an innovative and supportive team dedicated to advancing medical science, regardless of geographical location.