Lead Computational Biologist - Genomics

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health and retirement benefits

Professional development support

Generous leave and holidays

Cutting-edge computational resources

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Computational Biologist in Stellenbosch to drive data analysis and scientific insight across genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics. You will manage a team, develop pipelines, and collaborate with experimental researchers to translate data into biologically meaningful conclusions.

Ideal candidates have a PhD, 7+ years in the field, strong Python/R skills, and experience with NGS data, HPC, and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in computational biology or bioinformatics with leadership experience.
• Proficiency in Python or R and relevant bioinformatics libraries/tools.
• Strong statistical modeling and machine learning skills.
• Experience with NGS data (WGS, WES, RNA-Seq) and related software.
• Data visualization skills and ability to communicate results effectively.
• Experience with HPC environments and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of computational biologists.
• Develop and validate bioinformatics pipelines for omics data.
• Design and apply statistical analyses and ML to identify patterns and biomarkers.
• Collaborate with experimental researchers to define objectives and strategies.
• Manage large biological datasets with data integrity and security.
• Document methods and software tools comprehensively.
• Present findings at internal and external forums.
• Stay updated on advances in computational biology and genomics.
• Support grant proposals and external funding opportunities.
• Ensure reproducibility and standardization of workflows.

Skills

Python

R

Data visualization

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Bioinformatics libraries/tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge genomics research institute, is seeking an experienced Lead Computational Biologist to drive innovation in data analysis and interpretation in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This leadership role is central to advancing our understanding of complex biological systems through the analysis of large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. The successful candidate will manage a team of computational biologists, develop state-of-the-art analytical pipelines, and collaborate with experimental researchers to translate data into biological insights. This position requires a deep understanding of statistical methods, machine learning, and bioinformatics tools, coupled with strong leadership and communication skills. You will play a key role in shaping the institute's computational biology strategy and contributing to high-impact research projects. This is an outstanding opportunity to work at the forefront of biological research and make significant contributions to the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of computational biologists, overseeing project execution and ensuring high-quality research output.
• Develop, implement, and validate advanced bioinformatics and computational pipelines for the analysis of diverse omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics).
• Design and perform statistical analyses and machine learning algorithms to identify significant biological patterns, biomarkers, and disease mechanisms.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and bioinformaticians to define research objectives and analytical strategies.
• Manage and curate large biological datasets, ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and security.
• Develop and maintain robust documentation for all analytical methods and software tools.
• Present research findings at internal meetings, seminars, and external scientific conferences.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and relevant biological sciences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and seek external funding opportunities.
• Ensure reproducibility and standardization of computational workflows.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with demonstrated experience in leading research projects or teams.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and extensive experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries and tools.
• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques, and their application to biological data.
• Expertise in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq) and associated bioinformatics software.
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead a research team effectively.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) is desirable.
• Knowledge of biological databases and pathways.
• Experience working within the vibrant scientific community of Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, and a comprehensive benefits program.
• excellent health, dental, and vision insurance.
• generous retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• life insurance.
• We strongly support professional development through funding for conferences, workshops, and advanced training.
• Employees are entitled to substantial paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Additional benefits include a collaborative and intellectually stimulating work environment, access to cutting-edge computational resources, and opportunities for significant career growth within a leading research organization.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.