Lead Bioinformatician - Genomics

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

High-performance computing access

Flexible work arrangements

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Centurion is seeking an experienced Lead Bioinformatician to head the genomics analysis team. You will shape workflows, guide interpretation of large-scale datasets, and drive precision medicine initiatives within a cutting-edge research environment.

The role requires a PhD, 5+ years in genomic data analysis, and strong leadership. Proficiency in Python, R, Perl, cloud platforms (AWS/GCP) and Docker is essential, as is collaboration with biologists and clinicians to translate

Qualifications

• PhD required in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience analyzing genomic data (NGS, WGS, RNA-Seq).
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, and Perl.
• Experience with cloud computing and containerization (AWS/GCP, Docker).
• Solid knowledge of statistics genetics, population genetics, and ML in biology.
• Proven leadership and excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, assigning tasks and overseeing project execution.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret genomic findings and their biological implications.
• Develop and maintain databases and computational tools to support research activities.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and statistical methods for genomic data analysis.
• Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and scalability of all bioinformatics analyses.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Machine learning in biology

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Python

R

Perl

AWS

GCP

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced Lead Bioinformatician to head their genomics analysis team based in Centurion . You will play a crucial role in leveraging vast genomic datasets to uncover insights that drive our client's research and development efforts in precision medicine. This position requires a unique blend of deep computational expertise, biological understanding, and leadership skills to guide the interpretation of complex genomic data, ultimately contributing to the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, assigning tasks and overseeing project execution.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret genomic findings and their biological implications.
• Develop and maintain databases and computational tools to support research activities.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and statistical methods for genomic data analysis.
• Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and scalability of all bioinformatics analyses.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in analyzing genomic data (e.g., NGS, WGS, RNA-Seq).
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics (e.g., Python, R, Perl).
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker).
• Strong understanding of statistical genetics, population genetics, and machine learning applications in biology.
• Proven leadership experience and excellent communication skills for presenting complex technical information.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead innovative projects in the rapidly evolving field of genomics.
• Access to high-performance computing clusters and vast datasets.
• Support for professional development, including advanced training and conference participation.
• Flexible work arrangements and a collaborative research environment.
• Contribute to advancements in precision medicine and personalized healthcare.