Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Strong growth opportunities

Global collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist to lead advanced computational analyses in a fully remote setting. You will analyze genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to drive discovery and inform research strategy, collaborating with a globally distributed team.

You will mentor junior scientists, manage projects, and evaluate new tools while delivering high-impact results and maintaining publication quality.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, CS, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive bioinformatics experience with publications.
• Proficiency in Python and R; familiarity with biosciences databases.
• Experience leading remote, cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of analyses for large-scale biological datasets.
• Develop algorithms and models to identify drug targets or biomarkers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to inform research direction.
• Mentor junior bioinformatics scientists and analysts.
• Manage remote bioinformatics projects with timelines and resources.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational tools and technologies.

Skills

Python

R

Remote collaboration

Mentorship

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics / related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Bioinformatics Scientist to join their pioneering research initiatives in a fully remote setting. This role is central to driving biological discovery through the development and application of advanced computational and statistical methods. You will be responsible for analyzing complex biological datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data, to identify key insights and guide research strategy. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of biological systems coupled with exceptional computational skills and a proven ability to lead sophisticated data analysis projects remotely.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of computational analyses for large-scale biological datasets, including whole-genome sequencing, RNA-Seq, and single-cell data.
• Develop and implement novel algorithms and statistical models to extract meaningful biological insights and identify potential drug targets or biomarkers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams of biologists, chemists, and clinicians to interpret findings and inform research direction.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformatics scientists and analysts, promoting best practices and technical excellence.
• Manage bioinformatics project timelines, resources, and deliverables in a remote work environment.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational tools and technologies to enhance analytical capabilities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, with a strong publication record.
• Expertise in programming (e.g., Python, R) and experience with standard bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Demonstrated experience with various high-throughput sequencing data analysis techniques.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and mentor junior scientists in a remote setting.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including remote work support.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, scientific contribution, and leadership.
• Access to advanced computational resources and collaborative research environments.
• Flexible working hours and a strong emphasis on work-life balance for remote employees.
• Chance to work on cutting-edge research with a globally distributed, high-caliber team.