Senior Bioinformatician - Durban Office (Hybrid)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Professional development

Hybrid work model

provident fund

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Bioinformatician in Durban to analyze multi-omics data, develop pipelines, and drive research projects forward. The role blends remote work with key collaborative sessions in state-of-the-art facilities.

You will work with bench scientists, clinicians, and data scientists to identify targets and biomarkers, develop tools, mentor junior staff, and contribute to publications while ensuring data privacy and security.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and/or Perl, with a strong understanding of relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Experience with shell scripting and working in a Linux/Unix environment.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and big data technologies is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Analyze high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., WGS, exome, RNA-Seq) to identify variations and expression patterns.
• Develop and implement robust computational pipelines for processing and analyzing large biological datasets.
• Apply statistical and machine learning methods to identify patterns and generate hypotheses.
• Collaborate with experimental scientists to design studies and interpret results.
• Develop and maintain databases for storing and querying biological data.
• Contribute to development of novel algorithms and software tools for bioinformatics analysis.
• Prepare and present findings to internal teams and at conferences.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Python

R

Perl

Communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/CS/Statistics

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Linux/Unix

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading biotechnology firm committed to leveraging data science and advanced computational techniques to accelerate drug discovery and development. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Bioinformatician to join our collaborative research team based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This hybrid role offers the flexibility to work remotely part of the week while engaging with colleagues in our state-of-the-art facilities for key collaborative sessions. You will play a critical role in analyzing large-scale genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic datasets, developing novel analytical pipelines, and interpreting complex biological information to identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers. This position requires a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, and a passion for applying these skills to solve challenging biological problems. You will work closely with bench scientists, clinicians, and data scientists to drive research projects forward and contribute to groundbreaking scientific advancements within a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., whole-genome, exome, RNA-Seq) to identify genetic variations, gene expression patterns, and regulatory elements.
• Develop and implement robust computational pipelines for processing, analyzing, and visualizing large biological datasets.
• Apply statistical and machine learning methods to identify significant biological patterns and generate testable hypotheses.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists and chemists to design studies, interpret results, and guide experimental strategies.
• Develop and maintain databases for storing and querying biological data, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and software tools for bioinformatics analysis.
• Prepare and present research findings to internal teams and at scientific conferences.
• Author and contribute to scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and provide technical guidance.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security regulations in handling sensitive biological data.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in bioinformatics or computational biology.
• Proven expertise in analyzing genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic data using common bioinformatics tools and pipelines.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl, with a strong understanding of relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Experience with shell scripting and working in a Linux/Unix environment.
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques applicable to biological data.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and big data technologies is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment, balancing remote and in-office contributions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Employees benefit from a comprehensive health insurance plan, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• A provident fund or retirement savings plan is available, along with generous paid time off and sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development, including attending conferences and workshops, are supported.
• Our hybrid work model offers flexibility, allowing for a good work-life balance.
• Access to cutting-edge computational resources and collaborative scientific environments is provided.
• Performance-based bonuses may be awarded.
• The opportunity to work on impactful research that contributes to human health is a significant benefit.