Remote Computational Biologist

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Flexible schedule

Professional development

Cutting-edge resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Remote Computational Biologist to advance research in bioinformatics and genomics from anywhere in South Africa. You will analyze large datasets, build predictive models, and translate findings into actionable insights for therapies and diagnostics.

The ideal candidate holds a Master's or PhD in a quantitative field, has strong Python/R skills, and experience with Bioconductor, SciPy, and cloud platforms.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, CS, Statistics or related field.
• Experience analyzing large-scale biological datasets (e.g., NGS).
• Strong programming in Python and/or R with bioinformatics libraries.
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, ML, and data mining.
• Familiarity with biological databases/ontologies like NCBI, Ensembl, GO.
• Excellent problem solving and remote work capability.
• Clear communication to non-experts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic data.
• Apply statistical and ML methods to identify patterns, biomarkers, targets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to design studies and interpret results.
• Design and build predictive models for disease progression and drug response.
• Contribute to development of novel algorithms and software tools.
• Maintain documentation of code, pipelines, and workflows.
• Present findings to internal teams and external collaborators.
• Stay updated on advancements in computational biology and bioinformatics.

Skills

Python

R

Statistics

Machine learning

Data mining

Communication

Independent work

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. degree

Tools

Bioconductor

SciPy

NumPy

AWS

Google Cloud

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Remote Computational Biologist to contribute to groundbreaking research in bioinformatics and genomics. This is a fully remote position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will play a crucial role in analyzing large biological datasets, developing predictive models, and uncovering novel insights into complex biological systems. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational biology, statistics, and programming, coupled with a deep understanding of biological processes. This role is central to our client's mission of advancing scientific discovery through data-driven approaches. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about using computational methods to solve biological challenges and who thrives in a remote, collaborative environment. Your contributions will directly impact the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools. The position requires a self-starter attitude and the ability to manage one's own workload effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for the analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and other high-throughput biological data.
• Apply statistical and machine learning methods to identify patterns, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets in complex biological datasets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to design studies, interpret results, and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Design and build predictive models for disease progression, drug response, and other biological outcomes.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and software tools for biological data analysis.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of code, pipelines, and analytical workflows.
• Present research findings to internal teams and external collaborators through reports and presentations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and relevant biological fields.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience in analyzing large-scale biological datasets (e.g., next-generation sequencing data).
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, with experience in relevant bioinformatics libraries (e.g., Bioconductor, SciPy, NumPy).
• Solid understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning algorithms, and data mining techniques.
• Familiarity with biological databases and ontologies (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, GO).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and effectively in a remote setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-experts.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) is a plus.
• A passion for biological research and translating data into biological understanding.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a flexible work schedule.
• Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, including online courses, conference attendance, and contributions to open-source projects.
• Our client fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• You will have access to cutting-edge computational resources and the chance to work on impactful research projects that have the potential to improve human health.
• We provide a supportive and dynamic work environment where your contributions are valued and recognized.