Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health benefits

Professional development budget

Cloud computing resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to join a remote-first research team. You will analyze complex omics data, develop computational methods, and contribute to genomics and systems biology projects from anywhere.

The role requires independent data analysis, pipeline management, and collaboration with diverse scientists, with potential for publications and impact on disease mechanisms and targets.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, or quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years hands-on bioinformatics analysis experience focusing on omics data.
• Proficiency in Python and R; experience with Snakemake/Nextflow.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage large-scale bioinformatics analysis pipelines for NGS data (RNA-Seq, WGS, ChIP-Seq).
• Develop and apply statistical and ML models to identify biomarkers and targets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to interpret omics data and plan experiments.
• Create visualizations and reports to communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Maintain high-quality code and documentation for analytical workflows.
• Present findings at meetings and contribute to publications.

Skills

Python

R

Snakemake

Nextflow

Statistics

Machine learning

Communication

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics or related field

Tools

Ensembl

UCSC Genome Browser

BLAST

Job description

About the Role

Our client is excited to announce an opening for a highly skilled and motivated Senior Bioinformatics Scientist to join their innovative research team. This position is a fully remote role, offering flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge projects from anywhere. You will play a crucial role in analyzing complex biological datasets, developing novel computational methods, and advancing our understanding of genomics, proteomics, and systems biology. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational biology, statistics, and programming, with a passion for applying these skills to solve challenging biological questions. This role requires a proactive and independent individual who can thrive in a remote-first environment. You will collaborate with a diverse team of scientists and researchers, contributing to high-impact discoveries and publications. We are seeking an expert who can independently manage data analysis pipelines, interpret results, and communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Your work will directly contribute to significant advancements in our understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. We are committed to providing a supportive and collaborative remote working environment that fosters professional growth and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage large-scale bioinformatics analysis pipelines for next-generation sequencing (NGS) data (e.g., RNA-Seq, WGS, ChIP-Seq).
• Develop and apply statistical and machine learning models to identify biological patterns, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists to interpret omics data and design future experiments.
• Create visualizations and reports to effectively communicate complex findings to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and computational tools for biological data analysis.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, genomics, and computational biology.
• Maintain high-quality code and documentation for all analytical workflows.
• Participate in scientific meetings and present research findings.
• Mentor junior bioinformatics staff and contribute to team knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience in bioinformatics analysis, with a focus on omics data.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python and R, and experience with workflow management systems (e.g., Snakemake, Nextflow).
• Strong understanding of statistical concepts and machine learning algorithms relevant to biological data.
• Experience with common bioinformatics databases and tools (e.g., Ensembl, UCSC Genome Browser, BLAST).
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage and analyze large, complex datasets.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• Proven experience working effectively in a remote team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary of ZAR.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible working hours.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous paid time off and professional development budget.
• Opportunities to work on impactful research projects and contribute to scientific publications.
• Access to cloud computing resources and advanced analytical tools.
• Supportive and collaborative remote team culture.