Lead Computational Biologist (Remote)

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 3,553,000 - 5,076,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Home office stipend

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Computational Biologist to join a cutting-edge genomics research institute on a fully remote basis. You will guide a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians, developing pipelines for large-scale omics data and advancing biomarker discovery.

You will collaborate with experimentalists and clinicians, apply statistical and machine learning methods, ensure reproducible workflows, and publish results in high-impact journals.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience in computational biology, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Extensive experience with genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics data and analyses.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, incl. libraries like Bioconductor, SciPy, Pandas.
• Proficiency in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of computational biology pipelines for analyzing large-scale omics data.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to interpret biological data and identify key patterns.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and geneticists to integrate computational findings with hypotheses.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians.
• Oversee the development of tools and databases for data management and analysis.
• Contribute to strategic planning and execution of research projects.
• Present complex findings to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Publish research results in high-impact journals and conferences.
• Ensure reproducibility and scalability of workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Team mentorship

Communication

Project management

Education

PhD in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

Python

R

Bioconductor

SciPy

Pandas

Job description

About the Role Our client, a cutting-edge genomics research institute, is seeking a visionary Lead Computational Biologist to join their pioneering, fully remote team. This role is instrumental in advancing our understanding of complex biological systems through the analysis of massive genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets. The ideal candidate will lead the development and application of advanced computational approaches to decipher biological mechanisms, identify disease biomarkers, and accelerate therapeutic discovery. You will work with state-of-the‑art sequencing technologies and high-performance computing infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of biological research in a collaborative, innovative, and flexible remote setting. You will guide a team of talented computational biologists and bioinformaticians, fostering a culture of scientific rigor and data‑driven discovery. Our client is dedicated to making significant contributions to human health and is looking for individuals passionate about leveraging data to unlock biological secrets. The fully remote nature of this position allows for global talent acquisition and provides exceptional autonomy and work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of computational biology pipelines for analyzing large-scale 'omics' data.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to interpret biological data and identify key patterns.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and geneticists to integrate computational findings with biological hypotheses.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of computational biologists and bioinformaticians.
• Oversee the development of tools and databases for data management and analysis.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of research projects.
• Present complex findings clearly and effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
• Publish research results in high-impact scientific journals and present at international conferences.
• Ensure the reproducibility and scalability of computational workflows.
• Stay current with the latest methodologies and technologies in computational biology and bioinformatics.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in computational biology, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Extensive experience with various 'omics' data types (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) and their analysis.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, including experience with relevant libraries (e.g., Bioconductor, SciPy, Pandas).
• Proficiency in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP).
• Deep understanding of molecular biology, genetics, and relevant biological pathways.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills for effective team management and collaboration.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver results in a timely manner.
• A strong publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

Our client offers the significant advantage of a fully remote work environment, promoting work-life balance and flexibility. We provide a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous retirement savings plan. Opportunities for continuous professional development, including access to cutting-edge tools and training, are readily available. Additionally, we offer a home office stipend, wellness programs, and a collaborative virtual culture that fosters innovation and mutual support. Our client is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, empowering our team members to achieve their full potential regardless of their location.