Remote Senior Bioinformatician - Genomics Data Analysis

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health coverage

Remote work flexibility

Conference / training support

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Bioinformatician for a fully remote role within a leading biopharmaceutical research organization. You will analyze large-scale genomics datasets and develop computational pipelines, statistical analyses, and ML models to drive discovery in personalized medicine and drug development.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD or MSc in a quantitative field, with 6+ years in bioinformatics and strong Python/R/Bash skills.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years hands-on experience in bioinformatics with genomics data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, R and Bash; strong programming and debugging skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data (WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop predictive models for genomic data.
• Collaborate with biologists and geneticists to define questions and interpret findings.
• Implement ML algorithms for variant calling, biomarker discovery, and other genomic analyses.
• Develop visualization tools to communicate data and results to scientific audiences.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and manage large datasets with reproducibility in mind.

Skills

Python

R

Bash scripting

Genomics data analysis

Machine learning

Pipeline development

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Master's in a quantitative field

Tools

STAR

GATK

DESeq2

scikit-learn

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading biopharmaceutical research organization, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Bioinformatician to join its fully remote scientific team. This crucial role involves the analysis and interpretation of large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to drive discovery in areas such as personalized medicine and drug development. You will be responsible for developing and implementing advanced computational pipelines, statistical analyses, and machine learning models to extract meaningful biological insights. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in bioinformatics, excellent programming skills, and a deep understanding of genomics technologies. We are looking for an independent, highly motivated individual who can manage complex data analysis projects and collaborate effectively with a distributed team of biologists, geneticists, and computational scientists. This is a remarkable opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., WGS, WES, RNA-Seq).
• Perform advanced statistical analyses and develop predictive models for genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and geneticists to define research questions and interpret complex biological findings.
• Implement and adapt machine learning algorithms for variant calling, biomarker discovery, and other genomic analyses.
• Develop and utilize visualization tools to effectively communicate complex data and findings to scientific audiences.
• Contribute to the design of experimental studies, ensuring appropriate data collection and analytical strategies.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and genomics technologies.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and provide technical guidance on data analysis challenges.
• Manage large datasets and ensure data integrity, security, and reproducibility.
• Contribute to scientific publications, presentations, and internal reports.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genetics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in bioinformatics, with a strong focus on genomics data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, and Bash scripting.
• Experience with NGS data analysis tools and workflows (e.g., STAR, GATK, DESeq2, scikit-learn).
• Strong understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques applicable to biological data.
• Familiarity with genomic databases and public resources (e.g., Ensembl, NCBI, TCGA).
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for effective remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a dynamic, remote setting.
• A passion for advancing biological discovery through computational approaches.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including performance bonuses, excellent health and wellness coverage, and a robust retirement savings plan.
• We provide exceptional opportunities for professional growth, including access to advanced training, workshops, and support for attending leading scientific conferences.
• As a fully remote position, you will benefit from unparalleled flexibility and work‑life integration.
• Join our leading scientific organization and contribute to transformative research from anywhere in the world.