Senior Bioinformatician - Remote Analysis Lead

Placements24; Polokwane; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Bioinformatician to lead analytical efforts at our Polokwane facility. You will design and optimize pipelines for genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, turning complex data into actionable biological insights.

The role includes mentoring junior researchers, collaborating with clinicians and data engineers, and contributing to grant proposals, while staying current with major tools and methods.

Qualifications

• PhD in a quantitative field.
• Minimum 6 years post-doctoral experience in bioinformatics.
• Proven pipeline development for omics data.
• Strong Python and/or R programming.
• Experience with SQL and data management.
• Familiar with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and HPC.

Responsibilities

• Lead pipelines for genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics.
• Identify pathways, biomarkers, and targets from omics data.
• Collaborate with scientists to define analytical requirements.
• Develop algorithms for alignment, variant calling, expression analysis.
• Ensure reproducibility and scalability of analyses.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to grants.
• Manage projects, timelines, and resources.
• Document software and databases; evaluate new tech.

Skills

Python

R

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, Statistics, or related

Tools

Bioconductor

GATK

Samtools

SQL

AWS

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in personalized medicine and genomic analysis, is seeking an experienced Senior Bioinformatician to lead their analytical efforts. This role is crucial for interpreting complex biological data and developing robust pipelines to support groundbreaking research in diagnostics and therapeutics. You will be instrumental in leveraging computational tools to derive meaningful insights from large-scale datasets, contributing directly to advancements in patient care. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of biology, computer science, and statistics within a collaborative and innovative environment. The role requires a strong presence at our facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , to facilitate close teamwork and access to specialized computational resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of bioinformatics pipelines for analyzing large-scale omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Analyze complex biological datasets to identify key biological pathways, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
• Collaborate with research scientists, clinicians, and data engineers to define analytical requirements and deliver actionable insights.
• Develop and optimize algorithms for sequence alignment, variant calling, gene expression analysis, and pathway enrichment.
• Ensure the quality, reproducibility, and scalability of bioinformatics analyses.
• Mentor and guide junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics tools, algorithms, and relevant biological fields.
• Communicate complex findings clearly and effectively to diverse audiences through presentations and reports.
• Contribute to grant writing and the development of new research proposals.
• Manage project timelines and resources to ensure efficient delivery of analytical results.
• Contribute to the documentation and maintenance of bioinformatics software and databases.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies and methodologies into the bioinformatics workflow.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Computational Biology, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral experience in bioinformatics research or development.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and applying bioinformatics pipelines to analyze large omics datasets.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, and proficiency with relevant bioinformatics libraries and tools (e.g., Bioconductor, GATK, Samtools).
• Experience with relational databases (SQL) and data management practices.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and high-performance computing environments.
• Solid understanding of molecular biology, genetics, and statistical principles.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information effectively.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience with data visualization tools for biological data is desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, along with performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are provided.
• We offer a generous retirement savings plan and life insurance coverage.
• Employees benefit from opportunities for professional development, including attendance at conferences and training programs.
• Our client fosters a dynamic and innovative work environment and supports a healthy work-life balance through generous paid time off and flexible working hours.