Lead Computational Biologist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 2,000,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration with bonuses

Health insurance

Professional development and training

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging seeks a Lead Computational Biologist to spearhead research initiatives. You will develop advanced computational methods for analyzing genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, guiding a team of computational biologists.

Responsibilities include pipeline development, statistical analyses, ML model deployment, and collaboration with clinicians to translate results into potential therapies. Leadership and strong communication are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, CS, Statistics or related field.
• 7+ years of experience with leadership in computational biology/bioinformatics.
• Strong programming in Python, R and/or Perl; Bash scripting.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools and databases (BLAST, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Expertise in statistical analysis and machine learning for biological data.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and HPC environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and mentor junior team members.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; ability to convey complex results.
• Strong problem-solving and proactive approach in Vereeniging.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of computational pipelines for high-throughput data.
• Design and execute statistical analyses to identify biological patterns and biomarkers.
• Develop and apply ML algorithms for classification, clustering, and prediction.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to translate findings.
• Manage and mentor a team of computational biologists and oversee project execution.
• Optimize bioinformatics tools and workflows for efficiency and scalability.
• Stay updated with advances in computational biology and related tools.
• Contribute to publications, presentations, and grant proposals.
• Ensure data integrity and secure management of large datasets in Vereeniging.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Bash scripting

Statistical analysis

Machine learning

Cloud computing

HPC

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Tools

BLAST

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing genomics and bioinformatics company, is seeking a talented Lead Computational Biologist to spearhead their research initiatives in Vereeniging . This pivotal role involves the development and application of advanced computational methods and algorithms to analyze large-scale biological datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in bioinformatics, statistical analysis, and programming, combined with leadership experience. This is an exceptional opportunity to make significant contributions to biological discovery and therapeutic development in a collaborative and innovative environment. You will guide a team of computational biologists, driving projects that unlock new insights from complex biological information, all based in Vereeniging .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of computational pipelines for the analysis of high-throughput biological data (e.g., next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry).
• Design and execute statistical analyses to identify biological patterns, correlations, and biomarkers.
• Develop and apply machine learning algorithms for tasks such as classification, clustering, and prediction of biological outcomes.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to translate computational findings into biological insights and potential applications.
• Manage and mentor a team of computational biologists, overseeing project execution and ensuring scientific rigor.
• Optimize existing bioinformatics tools and workflows for efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, genomics, and bioinformatics tools and methodologies.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and grant proposals.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and proper management of large biological datasets within the Vereeniging research infrastructure.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with demonstrated project leadership.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl, along with experience in scripting languages (e.g., Bash).
• Extensive experience with bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., BLAST, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Expertise in statistical analysis and machine learning techniques relevant to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and high-performance computing environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and mentor junior team members.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical results to diverse audiences.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to research challenges in Vereeniging.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive remuneration package, including a substantial annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) is provided.
• We are committed to the professional development of our employees, offering training, conference attendance, and opportunities to learn new technologies.
• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays, is provided.
• The role is based in Vereeniging , offering access to advanced computational resources and a supportive team environment.
• Our client promotes a healthy work-life balance.
• Opportunities for career progression within the growing organization are excellent.
• A retirement savings plan is also available.