Lead Genomics Scientist

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Genomics Scientist in George, Western Cape, to lead advanced genomics initiatives. The role requires directing projects from design through execution, mentoring staff, and collaborating with scientists and clinicians.

Expertise in NGS, data analysis, and interpretation is essential for uncovering novel genomic insights. The candidate will oversee diverse sequencing applications, drive methodological innovations, and contribute to publications and grant proposals

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive genomics experience with a strong publication record.
• Extensive hands-on experience with NGS platforms (Illumina, PacBio) and library prep techniques.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for sequence alignment, variant calling, and data analysis (GATK, samtools, IGV).
• Strong programming skills in Python or R for data manipulation and analysis.
• Experience interpreting genomic data in human disease, agriculture, or related areas.
• Proven leadership in managing research projects and teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with data management and storage for large genomic datasets.
• Genome assembly and annotation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple genomics research projects with timely delivery.
• Design and optimize NGS protocols (WGS, exome, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq).
• Oversee processing and analysis of large genomic datasets using bioinformatics tools.
• Interpret genomic data to identify variations, functional associations, and regulatory mechanisms.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians.
• Develop and validate new genomic assays and analysis methods.
• Mentor junior staff and foster professional development.
• Contribute to publications, grant proposals, and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with ethical, safety, and data privacy regulations.
• Present findings at national and international conferences.

Skills

Python

R

Bioinformatics

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Genetics/Genomics/Bioinformatics

Tools

GATK

Samtools

IGV

Illumina

PacBio

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering research institution located in the scenic region of George , Western Cape , is seeking a highly accomplished Lead Genomics Scientist to spearhead their advanced genomics initiatives. This senior position is critical for driving innovation in genomic research, overseeing projects from design to execution and interpretation. The successful candidate will leverage extensive expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, data analysis, and interpretation to uncover novel biological insights. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the strategic direction of genomic research within South Africa , working with a team of dedicated scientists. You will be expected to mentor junior scientists and foster a collaborative research environment focused on pushing the boundaries of genomic understanding in our George -based facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple genomics research projects, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
• Design and optimize experimental protocols for various NGS applications (e.g., whole-genome sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq).
• Oversee the processing and analysis of large genomic datasets using state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools and pipelines.
• Interpret complex genomic data to identify genetic variations, functional associations, and regulatory mechanisms.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and clinicians.
• Develop and validate new genomic assays and analysis methods.
• Mentor and guide junior research staff, fostering their scientific and professional development.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications, grant proposals, and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant ethical, safety, and data privacy regulations.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in genomics research, with a strong publication record.
• Extensive hands-on experience with various NGS platforms (e.g., Illumina, PacBio) and library preparation techniques.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and software for sequence alignment, variant calling, and data analysis (e.g., GATK, samtools, IGV).
• Strong programming skills in Python or R for data manipulation and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting genomic data in the context of human disease, agriculture, or other relevant biological areas.
• Proven leadership abilities and experience in managing research projects and teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with data management and storage solutions for large-scale genomic datasets.
• Experience with genome assembly and annotation is a significant advantage.

Benefits

• Our client is committed to attracting top talent and offers a highly competitive compensation package, including a substantial annual salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• A generous retirement plan with employer matching contributions is available.
• We support continuous professional growth through funding for conferences, workshops, and further educational pursuits.
• Our George -based research facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology.
• Employees enjoy ample vacation and sick leave, and our client provides a supportive work-life balance.
• This is an exceptional opportunity to lead impactful research in the beautiful Western Cape .