Principal Bioinformatician

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement fund

Professional development

Conference funding

Access to HPC clusters

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Principal Bioinformatician to lead data analysis initiatives. You will design and optimize pipelines for WGS, WES, and RNA-Seq, while guiding a team of bioinformaticians and collaborating with clinicians and researchers to interpret results.

The role emphasizes advanced computational methods, cloud/cluster computing, and a strong publication record, with a competitive benefits package and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum 8 years of hands-on experience in bioinformatics, with a strong focus on genomics and transcriptomics.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and Perl, plus shell scripting.
• Experience with BLAST, SAMtools, GATK, Ensembl.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Lead computational analysis of large-scale genomic and epigenomic datasets to identify variants, expression patterns, and regulatory elements.
• Design and implement statistical models and machine learning approaches for biological data interpretation.
• Collaborate with biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to guide experimental design.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and staff.
• Contribute to development of novel algorithms and software tools.
• Manage computational resources, ensuring efficient data storage and access.
• Communicate findings through reports, presentations, and publications.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Shell scripting

Machine learning

Data analysis

Leadership

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

BLAST

SAMtools

GATK

Ensembl

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge genomics research institute located in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, ZA , is searching for a highly skilled and experienced Principal Bioinformatician to lead their data analysis efforts. This senior role is critical for advancing our understanding of complex biological systems through the application of advanced computational methods. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing sophisticated pipelines for the analysis of large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data, contributing to projects ranging from disease genetics to evolutionary biology. This is an opportunity to work with massive datasets, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a team of world-class scientists in a collaborative and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Lead the computational analysis of large-scale genomic and epigenomic datasets to identify disease-associated variants, gene expression patterns, and regulatory elements.
• Design and implement statistical models and machine learning approaches for biological data interpretation.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to interpret results and guide experimental design.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and software tools for biological data analysis.
• Manage computational resources, ensuring efficient data storage, processing, and access.
• Communicate findings effectively through reports, presentations, and publications in scientific journals.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in bioinformatics, with a strong focus on genomics and transcriptomics.
• Proven expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, and Perl, and experience with shell scripting.
• Proficiency in using bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., BLAST, SAMtools, GATK, Ensembl).
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and cluster computing environments.
• Deep understanding of statistical methods, machine learning, and biological pathways.
• Strong publication record demonstrating significant contributions to the field.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for interdisciplinary teamwork.

Benefits

Our client provides an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, and a generous retirement fund. Opportunities for professional development are abundant, including funding for conferences, workshops, and continued education. Researchers have access to high-performance computing clusters and extensive data storage facilities. The role is based in the vibrant coastal city of Durban , offering a high quality of life. We champion a supportive and dynamic work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside a commitment to work-life balance.