Senior Bioinformatician - Remote Genomics Specialist

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Conference attendance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Bioinformatician to join a dynamic Scientific Research & Development team. The role is fully remote within South Africa, focusing on designing and validating analytical pipelines for large-scale genomic datasets to advance human health.

You will lead data analysis, collaborate with biologists and clinicians, and mentor junior staff while staying current with genomics advances. A PhD or MSc, 5+ years in bioinformatics, and cloud experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Requires PhD or Master’s in bioinformatics, computational biology, or related quantitative field.
• Minimum 5 years of bioinformatics R&D experience focused on genomic data analysis.
• Proficiency in Python, R, and/or Perl with experience in scientific libraries.
• Extensive experience with NGS data analysis tools and platforms (GATK, STAR, Salmon, IGV).
• Solid understanding of statistics and machine learning techniques for biological data.
• Cloud computing experience (AWS, GCP, Azure) is desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with a track record of scientific contributions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize robust bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data (WGS, Exome, RNA-seq).
• Perform data analysis, interpretation, and visualization to identify biological insights and targets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and researchers to define project requirements.
• Develop and maintain high-quality code and documentation for tools and workflows.
• Stay updated with genomics and computational biology advancements and assess applicability.
• Contribute to preparation of scientific publications and presentations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and reproducible research practices.

Skills

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Education

PhD or Master’s in bioinformatics

Tools

GATK

STAR

Salmon

IGV

Python

R

Perl

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Bioinformatician to join their pioneering Scientific Research & Development team. This is a fully remote, impactful position focused on leveraging cutting-edge genomic data analysis techniques to drive groundbreaking discoveries. You will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and validating analytical pipelines for large-scale genomic datasets, contributing directly to our client's mission of advancing human health. This role offers the unique opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa, collaborating with a dynamic and world-class team of scientists and researchers.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize robust bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including whole-genome, exome, and RNA-seq data.
• Perform comprehensive data analysis, interpretation, and visualization of complex genomic datasets to identify significant biological insights and potential therapeutic targets.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, clinicians, and other researchers to define project requirements and deliver actionable results.
• Develop and maintain high-quality code and documentation for all analytical tools and workflows.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology, and evaluate their potential application to our client's research programs.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and presentations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior bioinformaticians and research staff.
• Ensure data integrity, quality control, and reproducible research practices throughout all stages of analysis.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Genetics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in bioinformatics research and development, with a strong focus on genomic data analysis.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, and/or Perl, with experience in scientific libraries.
• Extensive experience with NGS data analysis tools and platforms (e.g., GATK, STAR, Salmon, IGV).
• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques relevant to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing environments (AWS, GCP, Azure) is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a remote setting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated track record of successful project completion and contributions to scientific literature.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health benefits, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional development and conference attendance.
• You’ll be part of an innovative and supportive research environment that values collaboration and scientific excellence.
• Experience the flexibility of working from home while contributing to impactful scientific advancements.
• Our client provides all necessary equipment and support for a productive remote work experience, fostering a healthy work-life balance.