Lead Bioinformatician - Genomics Research

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health coverage

Retirement fund

Paid time off

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Bioinformatician in Rustenburg, North West, to lead development of genomics analysis pipelines and guide a multidisciplinary team of scientists. You will design computational methods for WGS/WES/RNA-Seq data, build ML models, and mentor junior researchers in a state-of-the-art facility.

You will collaborate with geneticists, biologists, and clinicians, manage large datasets, and contribute to publications and grants while staying current with the

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant quantitative field.
• 6–8 years of progressive genomics bioinformatics experience.
• Proficient in Python, R, and/or Perl with shell scripting.
• Experience with GATK, Samtools, BEDTools, ENSEMBL, UCSC Genome Browser.
• Strong statistics and machine learning background for biological data.
• Experience with AWS or GCP and cluster environments.
• Ability to lead complex bioinformatics projects and teams.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Eligible to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data (WGS/WES/RNA-Seq).
• Design analyses to identify variants, expression patterns, and regulatory elements.
• Develop and apply statistical and ML models for genomic interpretation and biomarker discovery.
• Collaborate with biologists and clinicians to define research questions and studies.
• Manage and curate large genomic datasets with quality and accessibility.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and analysts.
• Stay current with bioinformatics tools and techniques.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and grant proposals.
• Ensure efficient use of computational resources and infrastructure.
• Interface with external collaborators and partners to drive research initiatives.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Shell scripting

GATK

Samtools

BEDTools

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

AWS

GCP

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Statistics/CS/Genetics

Tools

Genomics pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm specializing in genomic research, is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatician to join their expanding operations in Rustenburg, North West. This senior position will play a pivotal role in analyzing vast genomic datasets to uncover novel insights into disease mechanisms, genetic variations, and personalized medicine. You will be responsible for designing and implementing sophisticated computational pipelines, developing predictive models, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of geneticists, biologists, and clinicians. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to transformative research that has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, working within a state-of-the-art facility in Rustenburg, North West. The ideal candidate will possess a strong statistical background, expertise in scripting languages, and a deep understanding of biological pathways and genomics.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data analysis (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Design and execute computational analyses to identify genetic variants, gene expression patterns, and regulatory elements associated with various biological conditions.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models for genomic data interpretation and biomarker discovery.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to define research questions and design appropriate genomic studies.
• Manage and curate large-scale genomic datasets, ensuring data quality, integrity, and accessibility.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and data analysts, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and computational biology techniques.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and grant proposals, showcasing the research findings from Rustenburg, North West.
• Ensure efficient utilization of computational resources and contribute to the infrastructure development of the bioinformatics core.
• Interface with external collaborators and academic partners to drive research initiatives.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, Genetics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 6-8 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with a significant focus on genomics data analysis.
• Demonstrated expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl, and proficiency in shell scripting.
• Strong experience with common bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., GATK, Samtools, BEDTools, ENSEMBL, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Solid understanding of statistical principles and machine learning techniques applied to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and cluster computing environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex bioinformatics projects and lead a team.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to interpret complex biological questions computationally.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-expert audiences.
• Must be eligible to work in South Africa.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary package commensurate with experience, along with performance bonuses and equity options.
• We offer comprehensive health coverage, a robust retirement fund, and generous paid time off.
• Professional development is highly encouraged through opportunities to attend leading scientific conferences, workshops, and specialized training programs.
• Employees in Rustenburg, North West benefit from access to cutting-edge technology and a collaborative work environment that values innovation and scientific rigor.
• Our client is committed to fostering a culture of growth and provides clear career progression pathways for its talented researchers.