Lead Genomics Researcher - Remote

Placements24; Kempton Park; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plan

Performance-based bonuses

Flexible hours

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Genomics Researcher to join a fully remote scientific team. You will lead genomics projects, develop advanced bioinformatics pipelines for WGS/WES/RNA-Seq, and apply statistical methods and ML to genomic data.

Effective collaboration with biologists, clinicians, and data scientists, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to grants and manuscripts are key aspects of the role. Remote-first culture with flexible hours.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive genomics research with a strong publication record.
• Proficiency in Python/R/shell; experience with NGS data analysis pipelines.
• Experience leading research projects and managing scientific teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex genomics projects from experimental design through data analysis and interpretation.
• Develop and optimize advanced bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including WGS, WES, RNA-Seq, and ChIP-Seq.
• Apply statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyze genomic variation, gene expression, and epigenetic data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including molecular biologists, clinicians, and data scientists, to integrate genomic findings with other biological datasets.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and bioinformaticians.
• Contribute to grant writing and manuscript preparation.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with best practices in genomics research.

Skills

Python

R

Shell scripting

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics

Tools

GATK

STAR

DESeq2

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in cutting-edge life sciences research, is actively seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Genomics Researcher to join their fully remote scientific team. This is a critical leadership role focused on driving innovation in genomic data analysis and interpretation. You will be instrumental in shaping the direction of our genomic research initiatives, leveraging your expertise to uncover novel biological insights and therapeutic targets. Our organization is committed to a remote-first culture, fostering a highly collaborative and flexible environment where top talent can excel from anywhere. If you are passionate about genomics and looking to make a substantial impact from a remote setting, this opportunity based in Tembisa, Gauteng, ZA , is ideal for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex genomics projects from experimental design through data analysis and interpretation.
• Develop and optimize advanced bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including WGS, WES, RNA-Seq, and ChIP-Seq.
• Apply statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to analyze genomic variation, gene expression, and epigenetic data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including molecular biologists, clinicians, and data scientists, to integrate genomic findings with other biological datasets.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and bioinformaticians.
• Contribute to grant writing and manuscript preparation.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with best practices in genomics research.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in genomics research, with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research projects and managing scientific teams.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and shell scripting, with extensive experience in bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Expertise in analyzing diverse NGS data types and familiarity with relevant software packages (e.g., GATK, STAR, DESeq2).
• Solid understanding of population genetics, statistical genetics, and human disease genetics.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to thrive in a fully remote, collaborative work environment.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, tailored for our remote employees. This includes outstanding health coverage, a generous retirement savings plan, performance-based bonuses, flexible work hours, and substantial opportunities for professional growth and continuous learning.

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to scientific excellence and innovation, where your contributions to genomic research will be recognized and valued.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive remote culture.