Lead Bioinformatician - Genomics Research

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting a Lead Bioinformatician to head the genomics research division in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. You will lead a team, define objectives, and ensure robust bioinformatics tools and pipelines are applied to large genomic datasets.

The role emphasizes collaboration with molecular biologists and clinicians, development of new algorithms, and contributing to grant writing while advancing precision medicine initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, CS or Statistics.
• Minimum 6 years in bioinformatics with at least 2 years in lead/supervisory role.
• Proven experience with NGS data analyses including variant calling and differential expression.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R; shell scripting familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of scalable bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput data.
• Mentor a team of bioinformaticians and oversee project workflows.
• Develop novel algorithms and statistical methods for complex data.
• Collaborate with biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret findings.

Skills

Leadership

Bioinformatics

Python

R

NGS data analysis

Cloud computing

HPC

Data governance

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related

Tools

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

SAMtools

GATK

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished leader in Scientific Research & Development, is seeking an accomplished Lead Bioinformatician to head their genomics research division in Mossel Bay, Western Cape . This critical role involves developing and implementing cutting-edge computational strategies to analyze vast genomic datasets, driving discoveries in precision medicine and biotechnology. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a team of bioinformaticians, defining research objectives, and ensuring the robust application of bioinformatics tools and pipelines. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful research in a beautiful coastal setting, utilizing state-of-the-art computational resources. The ideal candidate possesses a strong blend of analytical acumen, programming expertise, and a deep understanding of biological systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of scalable bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data analysis (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians, providing technical guidance and overseeing project workflows.
• Develop novel algorithms and statistical methods for analyzing complex genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret research findings and drive project outcomes.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and effective data management practices for large genomic datasets.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and related computational biology fields.
• Present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences through reports and presentations.
• Contribute to grant writing and secure funding for bioinformatics research initiatives.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
• Proven expertise in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including variant calling, differential gene expression, and pathway analysis.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, and familiarity with shell scripting.
• Experience with common bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser, SAMtools, GATK).
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques applicable to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and high-performance computing (HPC) environments is a plus.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment in Mossel Bay, Western Cape .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

Employees benefit from access to advanced computational infrastructure and a supportive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The hybrid work model provides flexibility, allowing for a balance between on-site teamwork and remote productivity.

Our client is committed to work-life balance and offers generous leave policies.

This role in Mossel Bay, Western Cape presents a unique opportunity to lead impactful research in a growing field.