Lead Bioinformatics Analyst (Remote)

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Online courses and conferences

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Bioinformatics Analyst for a remote-first role based in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA. You will spearhead large-scale genomic data analysis and develop sophisticated pipelines while mentoring a team of specialists.

Work with researchers worldwide in a flexible, fully remote environment. The position offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in bioinformatics, computational biology, CS, statistics or related field.
• 7+ years hands-on bioinformatics experience; at least 2 years in lead/senior role.
• Proficient in Python, R and shell scripting for bioinformatics.
• Experience with BLAST, SAMtools, GATK and Ensembl.
• Strong understanding of NGS technologies and data analysis workflows.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and containers (Docker, Singularity).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication and remote leadership skills.
• Strong project management and ability to handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Provide expert analysis and interpretation of complex biological data.
• Mentor and guide a team of bioinformatics analysts; foster a remote working environment.
• Collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and external partners across time zones.
• Develop and maintain scalable data management solutions and databases.
• Ensure quality, reproducibility, and efficiency of analyses.
• Stay current with advancements in bioinformatics tools and methods.
• Communicate findings via reports, presentations, and visualizations.
• Contribute to the technical strategy and roadmap for infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues.

Skills

Python

R

Shell scripting

Leadership

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Master's in related field

Tools

BLAST

SAMtools

GATK

Ensembl

Docker

Singularity

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in scientific research and development, operating with a remote-first philosophy. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Bioinformatics Analyst to join our innovative team. This role is crucial for spearheading the analysis of large-scale biological datasets, driving key research initiatives from the comfort of your own home. You will be responsible for developing sophisticated analytical pipelines, mentoring a team of bioinformatics specialists, and collaborating with researchers worldwide to uncover critical biological insights. As a remote-first position, this role offers unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking science without geographical constraints, based out of our Upington, Northern Cape, ZA operational hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing diverse biological data, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets.
• Provide expert analysis and interpretation of complex biological data, identifying significant trends and patterns relevant to research objectives.
• Mentor and guide a team of bioinformatics analysts, fostering a collaborative and productive remote working environment.
• Collaborate closely with research scientists, clinicians, and external partners across different time zones to define analytical needs and deliver impactful results.
• Develop and maintain scalable data management solutions and databases to support ongoing research projects.
• Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and efficiency of all bioinformatic analyses performed by the team.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and biological research methodologies.
• Communicate complex findings effectively through written reports, presentations, and data visualizations.
• Contribute to the technical strategy and roadmap for bioinformatics infrastructure and capabilities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues related to data analysis and computational infrastructure.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in bioinformatics analysis, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Demonstrated expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, and shell scripting, with a focus on bioinformatics applications.
• Proficiency in utilizing various bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., BLAST, SAMtools, GATK, Ensembl).
• Solid understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies and data analysis workflows.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Singularity).
• Exceptional problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a remote setting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Benefits

This remote-first position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including a robust health insurance plan, retirement savings contributions, and significant paid time off. Employees benefit from a flexible work schedule and the ability to work from anywhere. Our client invests in continuous learning and provides access to online courses, virtual conferences, and professional development resources. While the operational hub is in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA , this role offers the ultimate in remote flexibility, empowering you to contribute to world-class science from your ideal workspace.