Senior Computational Biologist - Bioinformatics Analysis

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development allowance

Home office stipend

Internet and mobile phone allowance

Flexible remote schedule

Paid time off and company holidays

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist for a fully remote role focused on genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics data.

You will develop and apply advanced computational methods, collaborate with experimentalists, and mentor junior team members in a remote-first environment, with access to state-of-the-art computational resources and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, CS, Statistics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-doc or industry experience in computational biology.
• Proven expertise in analyzing large-scale NGS and proteomics datasets.
• Strong Python and/or R skills with scientific libraries (Biopython, Pandas, SciPy).
• Proficiency with Linux/Unix and CLI.
• Experience with public biology databases (NCBI, Ensembl, TCGA).
• Excellent problem-solving and remote collaboration skills.
• Good communication and presentation abilities; remote work is supported.

Responsibilities

• Develop bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics).
• Perform statistical analyses to identify biomarkers and potential drug targets.
• Collaborate with biologists and geneticists to design experiments.
• Develop novel algorithms and computational tools.
• Maintain research data integrity and reproducibility.
• Present findings at meetings and conferences.
• Mentor junior computational biologists.
• Stay updated on advances in computational biology and cloud computing.

Skills

Python

R

Linux/Unix

Statistics

Machine Learning

Cloud computing

Communication

Biopython

Pandas

SciPy

ggplot2

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Tools

Biopython

Pandas

SciPy

ggplot2

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in cutting-edge biotechnology research, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Computational Biologist to join their innovative team. This is a fully remote, ground-breaking opportunity for a dedicated scientist to contribute to significant advancements in genetic research and drug discovery. You will be instrumental in developing and applying advanced computational methods to analyze large-scale biological datasets, driving research initiatives from ideation through to impactful results. This role is perfect for an individual who thrives in a dynamic, collaborative, and remote-first environment, where your expertise in bioinformatics and statistical analysis will be paramount. The focus will be on large-scale genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics data, enabling deeper insights into complex biological systems. We are committed to fostering a culture of scientific excellence and providing our remote employees with the resources and support needed to succeed, including access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure and continuous professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sophisticated bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics.


• Perform statistical analysis and interpretation of large biological datasets to identify significant biological insights, potential drug targets, and biomarkers.


• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, geneticists, and other domain experts to design experiments and interpret results in a biological context.


• Contribute to the development of novel algorithms and computational tools to address complex biological questions.


• Maintain and manage research data, ensuring data integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with relevant standards.


• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.


• Mentor junior computational biologists and provide technical guidance.


• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and related fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.


• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.


• Proven expertise in analyzing large-scale biological datasets (NGS, proteomics, etc.).


• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R, including experience with relevant scientific libraries (e.g., Biopython, Pandas, SciPy, ggplot2).


• Proficiency in using command-line interfaces and working in a Linux/Unix environment.


• Solid understanding of statistical methods and machine learning techniques applied to biological data.


• Experience with public biological databases and data repositories (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, TCGA).


• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting.


• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex computational concepts to diverse audiences.


• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary


• Generous annual bonus opportunities


• Extensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage


• Substantial annual allowance for professional development, including conferences, workshops, and online courses


• Generous home office setup stipend


• Monthly internet and mobile phone allowance


• 401(k) plan with employer matching


• Flexible remote work schedule


• Paid time off and company holidays


• Unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization and make a tangible impact in the field of scientific research from the comfort of your home.