Lead Bioinformatics Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Premium health benefits

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Access to powerful computing resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist for a fully remote role, ideally near George, Western Cape, ZA, with global reach. You will lead development of pipelines for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, mentor a team, and drive data-driven science across research initiatives.

The role demands a Ph.D. or equivalent, 7+ years in bioinformatics, leadership experience, and strong coding in Python/R/Perl, with cloud/HPC and containerization familiarity.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Bioinformatics or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive bioinformatics or computational biology experience.
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Expert in Python, R, and Perl with strong software development practices.
• Experience with major biological databases and NGS data (genomics, RNA-Seq, exome).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of complex bioinformatics pipelines for diverse biological data (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic).
• Provide strategic direction for bioinformatics research aligning computation with scientific objectives.
• Mentor a team of bioinformaticians and computational scientists.
• Oversee analysis of large datasets ensuring data quality and reproducibility of results.
• Develop and validate novel computational methods and algorithms for biological questions.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to interpret findings.
• Present research at scientific conferences and contribute to publications.
• Support selection and deployment of computational infrastructure and software.
• Ensure compliance with data security and privacy regulations.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Education

Ph.D./equivalent in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Docker

Singularity

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering force in leveraging data-driven insights for scientific advancement and is actively seeking a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist for a fully remote position. This role is critical for spearheading the development and application of sophisticated bioinformatics tools and methodologies that drive our research initiatives forward. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of complex biological systems and a proven track record in managing large-scale data analysis projects. As a remote-first organization, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and productive environment where team members can thrive regardless of their geographical location. This position offers a unique chance to shape the future of bioinformatics research within our client's innovative ecosystem, contributing significantly to discoveries that impact global health. The role is ideally situated for candidates in or near George, Western Cape, ZA , but operates entirely remotely, embracing a global talent pool.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and implementation of complex bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of diverse biological data types, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. Provide strategic direction for bioinformatics research efforts, aligning computational approaches with overarching scientific objectives. Manage and mentor a team of bioinformaticians and computational scientists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and innovation. Oversee the analysis of large datasets, ensuring data quality, integrity, and reproducibility of results. Develop and validate novel computational methods and algorithms to address challenging biological questions. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists, to interpret findings and guide research directions. Present research findings at scientific conferences and contribute to high-impact publications. Contribute to the selection and implementation of appropriate computational infrastructure and software. Ensure compliance with data security and privacy regulations in all data handling and analysis activities.

Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative field. A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, with at least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role. Expert proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics (e.g., Python, R, Perl) and experience with software development best practices. Extensive experience with major biological databases and public repositories (e.g., NCBI, EBI, UCSC Genome Browser). Demonstrated expertise in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data across various applications (e.g., whole-genome sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA-Seq). Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques applicable to biological data. Proven ability to manage complex projects, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a highly collaborative, remote environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of presenting complex scientific information clearly. Experience with cloud computing environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and high-performance computing clusters is highly desirable. Familiarity with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Singularity) is a plus.

Benefits

Our client provides an exceptionally competitive remuneration package, including a significant base salary and potential for annual bonuses based on performance. This role offers the ultimate flexibility of being fully remote, allowing for an optimal work-life integration. We offer a premium health benefits package covering medical, dental, and vision care. Professional development is highly valued, with opportunities for attending scientific conferences, workshops, and access to online learning resources. Our client invests in cutting-edge technology, providing access to powerful computing resources and software licenses necessary for advanced research. A generous annual leave allowance is provided. Retirement planning support, including employer matching contributions, is available. The company culture emphasizes innovation, scientific integrity, and open communication, with regular virtual social events to foster team cohesion.