Lead Bioinformatician - Genomics

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses for research achievements

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Annual leave and study leave

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead genomics research in George, Western Cape. You will lead a team, design scalable NGS pipelines, and collaborate with biologists and clinicians to translate data into insights.

The role requires a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, 5+ years of genomics experience, strong Python/R skills, and experience with HPC and cloud platforms. Relocation support may be available.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a quantitative field required.
• 5+ years of experience analyzing WGS, WES, and RNA-Seq data.
• Proficient in Python and R; familiar with bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with HPC and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP).
• Proven leadership to manage a research team in George.

Responsibilities

• Develop scalable bioinformatic pipelines for NGS data.
• Analyze large genomic datasets to identify genetic variations.
• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformaticians.
• Collaborate with biologists and clinicians to integrate findings.
• Design and manage genomic databases.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Python

R

Genomics analysis

Leadership

HPC / Cloud

Data visualization

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics

Master's in Computational Biology

Tools

AWS

GCP

Bioconductor

NGS pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead their genomics research initiatives in George . This critical role involves managing large-scale genomic datasets, developing cutting-edge analytical pipelines, and collaborating with biologists and clinicians to uncover insights that drive scientific discovery. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of genomic research within the organization, leading a team of bioinformaticians and ensuring the robust application of computational methods. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of genomic science in a beautiful coastal setting, contributing to impactful research that can improve patient outcomes in Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain scalable bioinformatic pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis.
• Analyze large genomic datasets to identify genetic variations, perform population genetics studies, and interpret complex biological patterns.
• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, overseeing project timelines and ensuring high-quality research output.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to integrate genomic findings with other biological data.
• Design and manage databases for storing and querying genomic and associated metadata.
• Present research findings and analytical strategies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Extensive experience (5+ years) in analyzing diverse genomic datasets (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R, and experience with bioinformatics tools and libraries.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and data visualization techniques relevant to genomics.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP).
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to manage complex projects and research teams in George .

Benefits

• Excellent salary package with potential for bonuses based on research achievements.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous annual leave and study leave for professional development.
• Access to cutting-edge computational resources and collaborative research opportunities.
• A supportive and innovative work environment focused on advancing genomic medicine.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.