Principal Bioinformatician - Genomics Research

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Bioinformatician to lead genomics research at our Durban facility. You will manage large-scale data analyses, build pipelines for NGS data, and collaborate with biologists and clinicians to extract actionable insights.

You will mentor junior scientists, contribute to grant proposals and publications, and stay abreast of new tools in bioinformatics and machine learning to drive therapeutic innovation.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years hands-on experience in bioinformatics with a strong genomics focus.
• Extensive experience with NGS data analysis pipelines and associated software.
• Proficiency in Python, R, Perl, and shell scripting.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling and machine learning techniques.
• Experience with bioinformatics databases (NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and HPC environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage research tasks.
• Track record of publications in reputable journals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of bioinformatics analyses for large-scale genomics projects.
• Develop, implement, and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data.
• Analyze whole-genome, exome, RNA-seq, and ChIP-seq data.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods for data interpretation.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists to define research questions and strategies.
• Interpret and report findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Contribute to grant proposals and manuscript preparation.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and proper data management.
• Stay current with advancements in bioinformatics tools and knowledge.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Shell scripting

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

NGS data analytics

Cloud computing

HPC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading bioscience research institution, is seeking a highly experienced Principal Bioinformatician to lead critical genomics research projects. This role is based in our state-of-the-art facility in Durban and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge studies in human genomics and personalized medicine. You will work with large-scale genomic datasets, applying sophisticated computational and statistical methods to uncover novel biological insights and drive therapeutic innovation. This position requires a deep understanding of genomics, bioinformatics pipelines, and data analysis techniques. You will be expected to collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and other bioinformaticians, playing a pivotal role in the interpretation of complex biological data and the design of future research directions. We pride ourselves on our collaborative environment and commitment to advancing scientific discovery through data-driven approaches.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of bioinformatics analyses for large-scale genomics projects.
• Develop, implement, and optimize bioinformatics pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.
• Analyze various types of genomic data, including whole-genome, exome, RNA-seq, and ChIP-seq.
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning methods for data interpretation and pattern discovery.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists to define research questions and experimental strategies.
• Interpret and report findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Supervise and mentor junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Contribute to grant proposals and manuscript preparation for publications.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and effective data management practices.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and biological knowledge.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in bioinformatics, with a strong focus on genomics.
• Extensive experience with NGS data analysis pipelines and associated software.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and Perl, and shell scripting.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling and machine learning techniques.
• Experience with common bioinformatics databases and resources (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and collaborative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage research tasks effectively.
• Track record of publications in reputable scientific journals.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications. In addition to an attractive base salary, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, a generous retirement fund with employer contribution, and ample paid time off. We provide significant opportunities for professional development, including conference attendance and further training. This role is based in Durban, offering a vibrant city experience. The company culture is highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on scientific advancement and work-life balance. Access to cutting-edge research facilities and a supportive team environment are key aspects of this position. Opportunities for growth into leadership roles are readily available.