Lead Bioinformatics Scientist

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist for their on-site Tembisa facility. You will lead a team, shape analytical strategies, and drive interpretation of genomic and proteomic data to identify targets and biomarkers.

This role requires a PhD and 7+ years in bioinformatics, with strong coding in Python/R/Perl, and cloud/docker experience. You will collaborate across biology, drug discovery, and publications while advancing cutting-edge methods.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science or related field.
• 7+ years in bioinformatics with leadership experience.
• Proficiency in Python, R or Perl and bioinformatics tools.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis.
• Strong data modeling, machine learning and data mining knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of bioinformatics scientists.
• Develop and optimize analytical workflows for genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.
• Design and optimize pipelines for efficiency, scalability and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, geneticists, and drug discovery scientists.
• Present findings and contribute to grants, publications and conferences.

Skills

Team leadership

Bioinformatics analytics

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Python

R

Perl

Docker

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a pioneering biotechnology firm dedicated to advancing human health through innovative research. They are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to spearhead their efforts in analyzing complex biological data. This pivotal role, based in our state-of-the-art facility in Tembisa, Gauteng , involves leading a team of talented bioinformaticians and driving the development of sophisticated analytical strategies. The successful candidate will play a critical part in interpreting genomic, proteomic, and other high-throughput data to uncover novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. The role is strictly on-site to foster team synergy and leverage our advanced laboratory infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of bioinformatics scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation. Develop and implement advanced computational methodologies for the analysis of diverse biological datasets, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Design and optimize bioinformatics workflows and pipelines for efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including molecular biologists, geneticists, and drug discovery scientists, to address complex research challenges. Provide expert interpretation of data and translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations for research and development strategies. Oversee the quality control and validation of all computational analyses and associated data. Contribute to grant proposals, scientific publications, and presentations at international conferences. Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and methodologies in bioinformatics and computational biology. Ensure compliance with data security, privacy regulations, and ethical guidelines.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, or a closely related field. A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior scientific role. Demonstrated expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, or Perl, and proficiency with bioinformatics software and databases. Extensive experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis (e.g., variant calling, gene expression analysis, ChIP-seq). Strong knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques relevant to biological data. Proven ability to manage projects, mentor scientific staff, and drive research initiatives forward. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences. Experience working with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) is highly desirable. Strong understanding of biological pathways, systems biology, and relevant disease mechanisms.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary package, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a generous retirement savings plan. Professional development is strongly encouraged through opportunities for training, workshops, and conference attendance. Join a vibrant and collaborative research community in Tembisa, Gauteng , where your contributions will be recognized and valued. We provide access to cutting-edge technology and resources, enabling groundbreaking scientific advancements. This on-site position ensures maximum collaboration and immediate access to all facilities.