Lead Bioinformatician - Genomics Research

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Annual leave & retirement plan

Professional development & conferences

Job summary

Placements24 client in Tembisa, Gauteng seeks a Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead genomic data analysis projects. You will mentor a team of bioinformaticians, design advanced computational strategies, and ensure data integrity across large-scale studies.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 7+ years in bioinformatics, strong programming skills, and experience in HPC and cloud platforms. You will collaborate with geneticists to drive discoveries in human health.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in bioinformatics with at least 2 years in leadership.
• Extensive NGS data analysis experience (WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Programming in Python, R, and Perl; familiarity with bioinformatics libraries.
• Strong statistical and ML knowledge applied to biology.
• Experience with HPC environments and cloud platforms.
• Excellent understanding of molecular biology and genetics.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformaticians analyzing genomic data.
• Develop and optimize pipelines for NGS data analysis.
• Perform statistical analyses to identify genetic variants and expression patterns.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to design experiments.
• Manage large datasets, ensure data quality and accessibility.
• Maintain bioinformatics databases and tools.
• Stay updated with genomics advances and publish findings.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Leadership

NGS analysis

Python/R/Perl

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics

Tools

HPC

Cloud platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of genomic research and is seeking an accomplished Lead Bioinformatician to spearhead their cutting-edge initiatives in Tembisa, Gauteng . This senior position involves leading a team of bioinformaticians, developing and implementing advanced computational strategies for large-scale genomic data analysis, and contributing to significant discoveries in human health and disease. You will play a crucial role in the design and execution of research projects, ensuring the highest standards of data integrity and analytical rigor. This role requires a blend of strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a passion for unraveling the complexities of the genome. The successful candidate will be based in our state-of-the-art facility in Tembisa, Gauteng , and will have the opportunity to collaborate with leading geneticists and molecular biologists.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformaticians in the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Develop and optimize computational pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.
• Design and conduct statistical analyses to identify genetic variants, gene expression patterns, and regulatory networks.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to interpret results and design new experiments.
• Manage and curate large biological datasets, ensuring data quality and accessibility.
• Develop and maintain bioinformatics databases and tools.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology.
• Present findings at scientific meetings and contribute to publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience with NGS data analysis, including WGS, WES, and RNA-Seq.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and Perl, and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Strong knowledge of statistical methods and machine learning algorithms applied to biological data.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and cloud platforms.
• Excellent understanding of molecular biology and genetics.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead scientific teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including a performance-based bonus structure. Full medical, dental, and vision coverage are provided, along with a generous annual leave policy and a retirement savings plan. Opportunities for professional development, attending conferences, and further training are actively encouraged. You will work in a collaborative and innovative environment located in Tembisa, Gauteng , with access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to make a real impact on scientific understanding.