Research Scientist - Genomics

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Professional development

Fully remote

Genomics research impact

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Research Scientist in Genomics to join its fully remote R&D division. You will design complex genomic studies, analyze large datasets, and interpret results to link variants with traits and diseases.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a life sciences field and has hands-on NGS experience, population genetics expertise, and strong scripting skills. This remote role offers collaboration with clinicians and a path to impactful publications.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with NGS and experimental design.
• Strong population genetics and statistical genetics knowledge.
• Proficiency with scripting and bioinformatics databases.
• Experience analyzing large datasets remotely.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement genomic experiments (DNA/RNA extraction, library prep, NGS).
• Analyze large-scale genomic data to identify variations (SNPs, indels, SVs).
• Perform data QC and interpretation across platforms.
• Collaborate remotely with clinicians and researchers to integrate findings.
• Develop and validate bioinformatics pipelines.
• Contribute to publications, grants, and presentations.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Python

R

Bash

Education

Ph.D. in Genetics/Genomics/Bioinformatics

Tools

NGS technologies

Bioinformatics software

Data analysis pipelines

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a dedicated and insightful Research Scientist with expertise in Genomics to join their innovative, fully remote research and development division. This role is central to uncovering genetic insights that will drive advancements in personalized medicine and disease understanding. You will design and execute complex genomic studies, analyze large-scale datasets, and interpret results to identify genetic variants associated with specific traits or diseases. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated scientist to work independently on impactful research projects within a supportive, virtual team structure. The ideal candidate possesses a strong scientific curiosity and a passion for translating genomic data into actionable biological knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement genomic experiments, including DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) protocols.
• Analyze large-scale genomic datasets using bioinformatic tools and statistical methods to identify genetic variations, including SNPs, indels, and structural variants.
• Perform data quality control and interpretation of results from various genomic platforms.
• Collaborate remotely with clinicians, geneticists, and other researchers to integrate genomic findings into broader research questions.
• Develop and validate bioinformatics pipelines for routine genomic data analysis.
• Contribute to scientific publications, grant proposals, and presentations within the research community.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related life science field.
• Proven experience in genomic research, including hands‑on experience with NGS technologies and experimental design.
• Strong understanding of population genetics, statistical genetics, and bioinformatics analysis techniques.
• Proficiency in using bioinformatics software, scripting languages (e.g., Python, R, Bash), and relevant databases.
• Ability to manage and analyze large datasets effectively in a remote research environment.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities and a track record of scientific productivity, demonstrated by publications.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Professional development opportunities, including access to online courses and conferences.
• A flexible, fully remote work environment allowing for excellent work-life balance.
• Opportunity to contribute to significant advancements in the field of genomics.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating remote work culture.