Lead Computational Biologist

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement provisions

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Lead Computational Biologist to lead computational biology projects, analyze omics data, and mentor a team of researchers. You will design algorithms, collaborate with experimental biologists, and help drive grant-funded research in disease mechanisms and drug development.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a quantitative field, 7+ years post-doctoral experience, strong leadership, and fluency with Python, R, and shell scripting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Demonstrated experience leading research projects and managing scientific teams.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and shell scripting.
• Must have legal authorization to work in South Africa.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of computational biology projects.
• Analyze and interpret large-scale omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Develop and apply novel algorithms and software tools for biological data analysis.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists to design studies and validate findings.
• Mentor and supervise junior computational biologists and research assistants.
• Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to grant writing and secure external funding for research initiatives.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and relevant biological fields.

Skills

Python

R

Shell scripting

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Education

PhD in Computational Biology / Bioinformatics / CS / Statistics

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a premier research institution dedicated to advancing biological sciences and medicine. We are seeking an experienced Lead Computational Biologist to join our collaborative team in Bloemfontein, Free State . This leadership role will focus on developing and applying computational approaches to understand complex biological systems, analyze large datasets from genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, and drive discoveries in areas such as disease mechanisms and drug development. You will manage a team of computational biologists, mentor junior researchers, and liaise with experimental biologists and clinicians. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in computational biology, excellent leadership skills, and a passion for contributing to significant biological research from our Bloemfontein base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of computational biology projects
• Analyze and interpret large-scale omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics)
• Develop and apply novel algorithms and software tools for biological data analysis
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists to design studies and validate findings
• Mentor and supervise junior computational biologists and research assistants
• Manage project timelines, resources, and deliverables
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to grant writing and secure external funding for research initiatives
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and relevant biological fields

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral experience in computational biology or bioinformatics
• Demonstrated experience leading research projects and managing scientific teams
• Expertise in analyzing large biological datasets, particularly omics data
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and shell scripting
• Experience with relevant biological databases and software tools
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Must have legal authorization to work in South Africa

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, attractive benefits package including health insurance, retirement provisions, and ample opportunities for professional development. You will work in a stimulating research environment with access to high-performance computing resources. Opportunities to collaborate on high-impact research and attend international conferences are provided. This position is based in Bloemfontein , offering a chance to contribute to cutting-edge science in a supportive academic setting.