Principal Bioinformatician

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development

Access to HPC infrastructure

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Bioinformatician in East London to lead advanced computational strategies across genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics projects. You will shape study designs, analyze complex data, and drive biomarker discovery within a dynamic, collaborative environment.

The role requires a PhD and 7+ years in bioinformatics, with strong Python/R skills and leadership experience. Expect a competitive package and opportunities for cutting-edge research in South Africa.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, CS, Statistics or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology research.
• Proficiency in Python and R and bioinformatics software packages.
• Experience analyzing NGS data (WGS, exome, RNA-seq).
• Strong foundations in statistics, ML, and data visualization.
• Excellent leadership and communication with a track record of delivering projects in East London.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage complex bioinformatics pipelines for large-scale data.
• Lead interpretation of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data to identify insights and targets.
• Collaborate with experimental researchers to design studies and ensure data quality.
• Develop and implement statistical and machine learning models for biomarker discovery.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior bioinformaticians and data analysts.
• Communicate complex computational findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Python

R

NGS data analysis

Machine learning

Data visualization

Leadership

Communication

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

Bioinformatics tools

Genomic databases

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal Bioinformatician to lead their bioinformatics efforts in East London . This senior role involves developing and implementing advanced computational strategies to analyze complex biological datasets, including genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics data. You will work closely with research scientists and clinicians to derive meaningful insights, identify novel biomarkers, and contribute to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the direction of bioinformatics research and development within a growing organization. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a passion for advancing biological research through computational approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage complex bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of large-scale biological data.
• Lead the interpretation of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data, identifying key biological insights and potential therapeutic targets.
• Collaborate with experimental researchers to design studies and ensure data quality for downstream analysis.
• Develop and implement statistical and machine learning models for biomarker discovery and prediction.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior bioinformaticians and data analysts.
• Communicate complex computational findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders effectively.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics , Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology research.
• Extensive experience with programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and bioinformatics software packages and databases.
• Proven expertise in analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including whole-genome, exome, and RNA-seq data.
• Strong understanding of statistical genetics, machine learning, and data visualization techniques.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with a track record of successful project delivery in East London .

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, retirement, and life insurance.
• Significant opportunities for professional development, training, and conference attendance.
• Access to high-performance computing infrastructure and cutting-edge bioinformatics tools.
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment focused on innovation and scientific discovery in East London .
• Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
• The opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of biological research.