Remote Principal Scientist - Bioinformatics

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive compensation

Private health insurance

Generous leave

Professional development

Remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is looking for a visionary Remote Principal Scientist in Bioinformatics to lead advanced computational research across genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics.

You will mentor a team of bioinformaticians, shape scientific direction, and collaborate with partners from anywhere in South Africa.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics or related field.
• 8+ years in bioinformatics research with a strong publication record.
• Expertise in statistical modelling, ML, and HPC environments.
• Proficiency in Python and R; C++ is a plus; strong software skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage remote research projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for bioinformatics projects.
• Develop and implement advanced computational methods for diverse data types.
• Collaborate with internal/external teams to design experiments and analyze data.
• Mentor and supervise a team of bioinformatics scientists remotely.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and adoption of new technologies.
• Communicate findings and strategic recommendations to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

Python

R

C++

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

Bioconductor

High-performance computing

Cloud platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Remote Principal Scientist specializing in Bioinformatics to drive forward their ambitious research initiatives. This is a fully remote opportunity for a seasoned expert to lead the development and application of advanced computational strategies for analyzing complex biological data. You will be instrumental in guiding the scientific direction, mentoring a team of talented bioinformaticians, and fostering innovation from anywhere in South Africa. The role demands a deep understanding of biological systems, extensive experience with large datasets, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The successful candidate will be pivotal in uncovering new biological insights and advancing our client's mission through pioneering data-driven research, contributing to a globally connected scientific community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for bioinformatics projects across multiple research domains.
• Develop and implement cutting-edge computational methods and algorithms for the analysis of diverse biological data types (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.).
• Collaborate with internal and external research teams to design experiments and analyze data that addresses key scientific questions.
• Mentor and supervise a team of bioinformatics scientists, fostering their technical and professional growth.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and the application of new technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Communicate complex scientific findings and strategic recommendations to senior management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in bioinformatics research and development, with a strong publication record.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and high-performance computing environments.
• Advanced programming skills in languages such as Python, R, or C++, and proficiency with relevant bioinformatics software.
• Proven ability to lead scientific teams and manage complex, multi-faceted research projects in a remote setting.

Benefits

• An executive-level compensation package including a substantial base salary and significant performance incentives.
• Comprehensive private health insurance and wellness programs.
• Generous annual leave and flexible remote working arrangements.
• Significant budget for professional development, including conferences and training.
• The opportunity to shape the future of bioinformatics research within a leading organization.