Principal Bioinformatician

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Dental

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Bonuses

Flexible hours

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Bioinformatician to lead complex data analyses and develop novel computational pipelines in Klerksdorp, North West. You will work with massive sequencing datasets and collaborate with biologists, clinicians, and researchers to advance health-related genomic insights.

The role requires a PhD with 6+ years in bioinformatics, strong programming (Python/R/Perl), HPC and cloud experience, and proven leadership. Relocation support is available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, CS, Statistics or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive bioinformatics experience with large datasets.
• Proficiency in Python, R and/or Perl; strong algorithmic knowledge.
• Experience with HPC and cloud computing environments; data-management skills.
• Ability to lead projects and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of advanced bioinformatics pipelines for multi-omics data.
• Analyze large sequencing data (WGS/WES/RNA-Seq) to identify variations and signatures.
• Apply statistical methods and ML algorithms for data interpretation.
• Collaborate with scientists to translate biological questions into computational plans.
• Mentor junior staff and present findings at meetings/conferences.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

HPC

Cloud platforms

Bioinformatics workflows

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of genomic research and requires a highly experienced Principal Bioinformatician to join their innovative team. This critical role, based in Klerksdorp, North West, will involve leading complex data analysis projects, developing novel computational pipelines, and contributing significantly to our understanding of genetic variations and their impact on health and disease. You will work with massive datasets generated from next-generation sequencing technologies and collaborate closely with biologists, geneticists, and clinicians. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical skills, a deep understanding of bioinformatics tools and algorithms, and a passion for driving scientific discovery through data. This position offers the chance to influence cutting-edge research and make a significant impact from our Klerksdorp, North West operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Analyze large-scale sequencing data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq) to identify genetic variations, gene expression patterns, and molecular signatures.
• Develop and apply statistical methods and machine learning algorithms for biological data interpretation.
• Collaborate with research scientists to define data analysis requirements and translate biological questions into computational approaches.
• Manage and curate biological databases, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, computational biology, and relevant biological domains.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research staff in computational analysis techniques.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
• Contribute to grant proposals and scientific publications.

Requirements

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics, with a focus on analyzing large biological datasets.
• Demonstrated expertise in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl.
• Proficiency with standard bioinformatics tools and algorithms for sequence alignment, variant calling, gene expression analysis and pathway analysis.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments and cloud computing platforms.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology, genetics and genomics.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex computational results to diverse audiences.
• Proven experience in leading projects and mentoring junior team members in Klerksdorp, North West.

Benefits

• highly competitive salary
• comprehensive health
• dental
• vision insurance
• a generous retirement plan
• performance-based bonuses
• flexible working hours
• ample opportunities for professional development
• a stimulating, collaborative research environment
• Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.