Remote Principal Computational Biologist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 2,953,000 - 4,266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remote salary

Performance bonus

Health & wellness benefits

Retirement savings plan

Professional development budget

100% remote

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Computational Biologist to join a fully remote, globally distributed team. You will drive development of advanced computational methods for omics data and collaborate with researchers worldwide to uncover novel biological insights.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a quantitative field, 10+ years of experience, and a strong track record in statistical modeling, ML, and genomics data analysis.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. is required in a quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Strong publication record and independent research track.
• Proficiency in Python and R; experience with ML frameworks (TensorFlow/PyTorch).
• Experience with genomics/transcriptomics data analysis and cloud/HPC environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced computational methods for omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics).
• Design experiments to identify biomarkers and predict drug responses.
• Build predictive models using ML/DL techniques.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians for interpretation.
• Develop bioinformatics pipelines and software tools.
• Publish high-quality scientific papers and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and provide leadership.
• Evaluate new algorithms and integrate into workflows.
• Contribute to strategic research planning and project roadmaps.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Data mining

Python

R

TensorFlow/PyTorch

Docker

Git

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field

Tools

SciPy/NumPy/Pandas/Scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in bioinformatics and computational biology, is looking for a highly accomplished Principal Computational Biologist to join their fully remote, globally distributed team. This senior position is critical for driving the development and application of advanced computational approaches to analyze complex biological datasets, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. You will play a key role in uncovering novel biological insights, identifying potential therapeutic targets, and advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a deep expertise in statistical analysis, machine learning, algorithm development, and biological interpretation, combined with a proven ability to lead impactful research projects independently. As a remote-first role, you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere while collaborating closely with researchers and data scientists worldwide. This is an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and shape the future of data-driven biological discovery from the comfort of your home office. We value autonomy, expertise, and a commitment to scientific excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sophisticated computational and statistical methods for analyzing large-scale omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics).
• Design and execute computational experiments to identify biomarkers, predict drug responses, and elucidate biological pathways.
• Build predictive models using machine learning and deep learning techniques to understand complex biological systems.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and clinicians to interpret results and guide experimental design.
• Develop robust bioinformatics pipelines and software tools to facilitate data analysis and sharing.
• Author high-quality scientific publications and present findings at international conferences.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and provide technical leadership.
• Evaluate and integrate new computational technologies and algorithms into existing workflows.
• Contribute to strategic research planning and project roadmap development.
• Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and effective documentation of all analyses and code.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in computational biology or bioinformatics, with a strong track record of independent research and publication.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques applied to biological data.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python (with libraries like SciPy, NumPy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow/PyTorch) and R.
• Extensive experience with genomics and transcriptomics data analysis (e.g., RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, WGS/WES).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Strong understanding of molecular biology and genetics.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a distributed team environment.
• Proven ability to lead complex research projects and deliver impactful results.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and containerization (e.g., Docker) is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive remote salary, a performance-based bonus structure, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and a generous retirement savings plan.
• We provide a flexible work environment with the autonomy to manage your own schedule.
• Employees have access to a substantial budget for professional development, including online courses, workshops, and conference attendance.
• This role is 100% remote, offering the ultimate flexibility.
• We foster a collaborative and intellectually stimulating culture, supporting your career growth and well-being.
• Our client is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for all employees, regardless of their location.