Lead Genomics Researcher

Placements24; Kempton Park; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium medical

Dental and vision insurance

Generous vacation leave

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Genomics Researcher to lead a science-driven team in a premier Gauteng facility. The role focuses on genomic analysis, disease associations, and translating findings into diagnostics and therapies.

You will guide projects across WGS, WES, and RNA-seq, develop pipelines, and publish in high-impact journals while mentoring researchers and collaborating with clinicians.

Qualifications

• PhD in Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive research experience in genomics and bioinformatics.
• Expertise in NGS library preparation and sequencing technologies.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, Perl for data analysis.
• Solid knowledge of statistical genetics and variant calling algorithms.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Strong publication record in reputable journals and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of genomics researchers with scientific direction.
• Design and manage complex genomics projects using multiple NGS platforms.
• Develop and optimize large-scale bioinformatics pipelines (WGS, WES, RNA-seq).
• Perform rigorous statistical analysis to identify variants and associations.
• Collaborate with clinicians to translate findings into applications.
• Interpret genomic variants in relation to disease phenotypes.
• Publish high-impact research in journals; present at conferences.
• Manage research budgets and ensure regulatory and ethical compliance.
• Stay current with advances in genomics and cloud bioinformatics.

Skills

Genomics

Bioinformatics

Statistical genetics

Leadership

NGS

Education

PhD in Genomics

Tools

Python

R

Perl

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dynamic and visionary Lead Genomics Researcher to spearhead groundbreaking initiatives in genomic analysis within their advanced research facility located in Tembisa, Gauteng . This pivotal role involves guiding a team of talented scientists to explore the complexities of the human genome and its implications for disease. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, bioinformatics, and statistical genetics. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to make significant contributions to our understanding of genetic disorders and to drive the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. You will play a key role in shaping the research agenda and fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of genomics researchers, providing scientific direction and mentorship.
• Design and implement complex genomics research projects, utilizing a variety of NGS platforms (e.g., Illumina, PacBio, Nanopore).
• Develop and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of large-scale genomic datasets, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and RNA-seq.
• Perform rigorous statistical analysis of genomic data to identify genetic variants, associations, and functional impacts.
• Collaborate with clinicians and other researchers to translate genomic findings into clinical applications and research insights.
• Contribute to the interpretation of genomic variants and their relationship to disease phenotypes.
• Author and co-author high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Manage research budgets and ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.
• Stay current with advancements in genomics, bioinformatics, and related fields.

Requirements

• PhD in Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive research experience in genomics and bioinformatics.
• Demonstrated expertise in NGS library preparation and sequencing technologies.
• Extensive experience with bioinformatics tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Perl) for genomic data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of statistical genetics, population genetics, and variant calling algorithms.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills.
• Strong publication record in reputable scientific journals.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) for bioinformatics analysis is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary package commensurate with experience and expertise, along with performance-based incentives.
• A comprehensive benefits package includes premium medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous vacation and holiday leave are provided, alongside sick leave entitlements.
• We are committed to fostering career growth through professional development opportunities, including access to training, workshops, and conferences.
• The role is based in a modern research facility in Tembisa, Gauteng , offering a stimulating and collaborative work environment.
• Retirement planning assistance is also available.