Senior Bioinformatics Specialist - Drug Discovery

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical & dental coverage

Relocation assistance

State-of-the-art facilities

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Bioinformatics Specialist in Polokwane to accelerate drug discovery through advanced omics data analysis and computational methods. You will work with chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate data and guide experiments.

The role emphasizes machine learning, data integration, and pipeline development in a team-driven R&D environment using state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure.

Qualifications

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or related field with focus on biological data analysis.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in bioinformatics, drug discovery or pharmaceutical research.
• Strong Python or R programming skills and relevant libraries.
• Experience with omics data types and cheminformatics; ML in bio data.
• Experience with SQL and data warehousing; cloud computing a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced bioinformatics pipelines for large omics datasets.
• Analyze Genomics, Transcriptomics and Proteomics data to identify targets.
• Integrate HTS data to identify hit compounds for further study.
• Apply statistical modeling and ML to predict efficacy and PK properties.
• Collaborate with chemists and biologists to design experiments and interpret results.
• Develop data visualization tools and dashboards for complex findings.
• Contribute to virtual screening campaigns and stay updated with methods.
• Manage and curate biological databases and knowledge bases.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and contribute to publications.

Skills

Python

R

Bioinformatics

Machine learning

SQL

Cloud computing

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

Tools

Cheminformatics tools

AWS

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical research company headquartered in Polokwane , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Bioinformatics Specialist to join their dedicated drug discovery team. This role is pivotal in accelerating the identification and validation of novel therapeutic targets through the sophisticated analysis of biological and chemical data. You will apply cutting-edge computational and statistical methods to diverse datasets, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and high-throughput screening data. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with medicinal chemists, biologists, and pharmacologists to integrate omics data with drug discovery pipelines. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to life-saving therapies and advance your career in a dynamic research environment in Polokwane , utilizing state-of-the-art technology and fostering scientific innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of large-scale omics datasets relevant to drug discovery.
• Analyze genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data to identify and prioritize potential drug targets.
• Integrate and analyze high-throughput screening (HTS) data to identify hit compounds.
• Apply statistical modeling and machine learning techniques to predict drug efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic properties.
• Collaborate closely with chemists and biologists to design experiments and interpret results.
• Develop data visualization tools and dashboards to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to the design and execution of virtual screening campaigns.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, computational chemistry, and drug discovery methodologies.
• Manage and curate biological databases and knowledge bases.
• Mentor junior bioinformaticians and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative discipline with a focus on biological data analysis.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in bioinformatics, with a significant portion focused on drug discovery or pharmaceutical research.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries and packages.
• Proficiency in analyzing various omics data types (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Experience with cheminformatics tools and techniques for analyzing small molecule data.
• Familiarity with machine learning algorithms applied to biological and chemical data.
• Experience with database management (SQL) and data warehousing concepts.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and a generous bonus program.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Stock options and other equity incentives.
• Generous allowance for professional development, including conferences and training.
• State-of-the-art research facilities and computational infrastructure.
• Collaborative and innovative research culture in Polokwane .
• Opportunities for significant career growth and impact.
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.