Lead Bioinformatics Scientist for Genomics Research

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund contributions

Research grants

Professional development & conferences

Flexible work arrangement

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Bioinformatics Scientist in Stellenbosch, Western Cape to spearhead genomics research initiatives. You will lead a team of bioinformaticians, develop pipelines for NGS data, and translate raw genomic data into actionable insights.

The role demands a PhD, 6+ years of experience, and expertise in Python/R, Bioconductor, GATK, and machine learning applied to biology. Collaboration with biologists and clinicians is essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field (Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, CS, Statistics)
• 6+ years of bioinformatics experience with leadership
• Strong Python or R and bioinformatics tools (Bioconductor, GATK, samtools)
• Experience with NGS data types and experimental design
• Expertise in statistical genetics, population genetics, or ML on biological data
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management
• Experience with HPC and cloud platforms is desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data (WGS, WES, RNA-Seq)
• Develop and apply statistical and ML methods for complex datasets
• Collaborate with biologists and clinicians to define research questions
• Mentor and manage a team of bioinformatics scientists
• Contribute to grant writing and publications
• Oversee development of novel analytical tools and algorithms
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and data management
• Present findings at internal and external conferences

Skills

Python

R

Bioconductor

GATK

Samtools

NGS data analysis

Machine learning

Statistics

Team leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

HPC

Cloud platforms

Docker

Git

Jupyter

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a world-renowned research institution in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a highly skilled Lead Bioinformatics Scientist to spearhead their genomics research initiatives. This critical role involves the development and application of computational and analytical methods to interpret large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets. You will lead a team of bioinformaticians, guiding research projects that aim to unravel complex biological questions related to disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of bioinformatics pipelines, statistical genetics, and machine learning techniques applied to biological data. Based in the picturesque Stellenbosch, Western Cape, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to work at the cutting edge of genomic science within a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. You will be pivotal in translating raw genomic data into actionable biological insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods for analyzing complex genomic datasets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to define research questions and interpret results.
• Manage and mentor a team of bioinformatics scientists, providing scientific direction and technical expertise.
• Contribute to grant writing and the preparation of scientific publications.
• Oversee the development of novel analytical tools and algorithms.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and effective data management practices.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and international conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in bioinformatics, with demonstrated leadership capabilities.
• Extensive experience with programming languages such as Python or R, and bioinformatics tools/packages (e.g., Bioconductor, GATK, samtools).
• Strong understanding of NGS technologies, experimental design, and data types.
• Proven expertise in statistical genetics, population genetics, and/or machine learning applied to biological data.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and cloud platforms is desirable.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and techniques.
• Experience working in a research setting in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement fund contributions, and opportunities for research grants. We provide extensive support for professional development, including attendance at leading scientific conferences and workshops. The Stellenbosch, Western Cape location offers a stimulating research environment and a high quality of life. We encourage a collaborative and innovative work culture, with ample opportunities for interdisciplinary research. Benefits include generous paid time off and a flexible work arrangement. Join a world-class institution and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in genomics.