Lead Computational Biologist - Bioinformatics Analysis

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonuses

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Relocation support

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Lead Computational Biologist to oversee analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data, develop advanced bioinformatics pipelines, and mentor a team of bioinformaticians.

You’ll collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to drive research in personalized medicine, and contribute to publications, grant proposals, and cutting-edge projects at a world-class facility.

Relocation support offered; competitive remuneration and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Extensive experience with large-scale genomics and transcriptomics data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, and shell scripting.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and their application to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and workflow management systems (e.g., Nextflow, Snakemake) is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., WGS, RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq).
• Manage and mentor a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists and clinicians to define research questions and translate them into computational analyses.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to identify patterns, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in biological data.
• Ensure the reproducibility and scalability of bioinformatics workflows and analyses.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics tools, and algorithms.
• Communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through presentations and publications.
• Contribute to grant writing and funding proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communications

Project management

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology

Tools

Python

R

Shell scripting

Nextflow

Snakemake

AWS

Google Cloud

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned biomedical research institute situated in the scenic coastal city of Cape Town , is actively searching for a highly skilled and experienced Lead Computational Biologist. This is a critical role overseeing the analysis of complex biological datasets, primarily focusing on genomic and transcriptomic data derived from diverse patient populations. The Lead Computational Biologist will be responsible for developing and implementing advanced bioinformatics pipelines, managing a team of bioinformaticians, and collaborating closely with experimental biologists and clinicians to drive research objectives. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to significant breakthroughs in personalized medicine and disease research within a world-class facility in Western Cape . You will be at the forefront of data-driven discovery, utilizing large-scale datasets to uncover novel insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., WGS, RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq).
• Manage and mentor a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists and clinicians to define research questions and translate them into computational analyses.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to identify patterns, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in biological data.
• Ensure the reproducibility and scalability of bioinformatics workflows and analyses.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics tools, and algorithms.
• Communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through presentations and publications.
• Contribute to grant writing and funding proposals.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with demonstrated leadership experience.
• Extensive experience with large-scale genomics and transcriptomics data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, and shell scripting.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and their application to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) and workflow management systems (e.g., Nextflow, Snakemake) is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage projects, mentor staff, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive remuneration package, including a generous base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive medical and retirement benefits. You will be part of a dynamic and intellectually stimulating research community in beautiful Cape Town . Opportunities for attending international conferences, professional development courses, and collaborative research initiatives are abundant. We provide a state-of-the-art computing infrastructure and a supportive environment that encourages scientific curiosity and innovation. Relocation support will be provided for eligible candidates moving to Cape Town .