Lead Bioinformatics Scientist

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Generous annual leave

Professional development support

Pension plan

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to lead the design, development, and sustainment of scalable pipelines for WGS, RNA-Seq and related analyses. This senior role combines scientific leadership with hands‑on expertise to translate complex data into actionable insights.

You will mentor a team of bioinformaticians, collaborate with biologists and clinicians, oversee data governance, and drive continuous methodological innovation in a world‑class genomics environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive bioinformatics experience.
• At least 3 years in leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience with large-scale genomic data analysis (variant calling, expression analysis).

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and maintenance of scalable bioinformatics pipelines for WGS, WES, RNA-Seq.
• Mentor and manage a team of bioinformatics scientists.
• Develop and implement statistical methods for complex datasets (population genetics, cancer genomics, epigenomics).
• Collaborate with biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to define research questions.
• Ensure quality, reproducibility, and integrity of analyses.
• Stay current with advancing bioinformatics tools and methodologies.
• Contribute to grant writing, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Oversee data storage, access, and security; enforce best practices in coding and version control.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Shell scripting

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Leadership

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or related

Tools

GATK

Samtools

Bioconductor

Docker

AWS

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge genomics research institute located in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape , is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatics Scientist . This is a critical leadership position responsible for driving the development and implementation of advanced bioinformatics pipelines and analytical strategies. You will play a key role in analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to uncover novel biological insights and support diverse research projects across the organization. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of computational biology, statistical analysis, and programming, coupled with proven leadership capabilities. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape the future of bioinformatics research in a world-class facility. You will be instrumental in guiding a team of talented bioinformaticians and collaborating with molecular biologists and clinicians to translate complex data into actionable findings. Your expertise will be crucial in advancing our client's mission to accelerate biological discovery and improve human health.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing data analysis (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformatics scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment.
• Develop and implement statistical methods for the analysis of complex biological datasets, including population genetics, cancer genomics, and epigenomics.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to define research questions and analytical approaches.
• Ensure the quality, integrity, and reproducibility of bioinformatics analyses and results.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and methodologies.
• Contribute to grant writing, manuscript preparation, and presentation of research findings at national and international conferences.
• Oversee the management of large genomic datasets, including data storage, access, and security.
• Establish and enforce best practices for coding, documentation, and version control within the bioinformatics team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics research, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Extensive experience with large-scale genomic data analysis, including variant calling, gene expression analysis, and genome assembly.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl, and experience with shell scripting.
• Strong knowledge of statistical modeling and machine learning techniques.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with relevant bioinformatics databases and tools (e.g., GATK, Samtools, Bioconductor).

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, an attractive bonus structure, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• We provide a generous annual leave allowance and support for professional development, including conference attendance and training programs.
• The position is based in beautiful Cape Town , offering a stimulating research environment and opportunities for career growth.
• A contributory pension fund and other employee wellness programs are also available.