Senior Computational Biologist - Bioinformatics and Data Analysis

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible remote work

Advanced computing resources

Team meetups in Durban

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban-based role seeks a Senior Computational Biologist to join a cutting-edge biotech team. You will develop and optimize bioinformatics pipelines across genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to generate actionable insights.

You will lead advanced statistical analyses, build predictive models, and collaborate with scientists to translate complex questions into computational strategies, with remote-first flexibility.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or Perl and relevant libraries/tools.
• Strong skills in statistical modeling, ML, and data mining.
• Experience with large-scale omics data (NGS, microarray, MS).
• Familiarity with biological databases and ontologies.
• Excellent problem-solving and remote collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain bioinformatics pipelines for omics data.
• Design and conduct advanced statistical analyses to identify biomarkers.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, chemists, and clinicians to define questions.
• Build predictive models and machine learning algorithms to guide experiments.
• Optimize workflows for efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility.
• Visualize complex data for diverse audiences and contribute to publications.
• Stay current with latest advances in bioinformatics and computational biology.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Data mining

Remote teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics

Master's in related field

Tools

Python

R

Perl

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge biotechnology firm, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Computational Biologist to join their innovative research team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This role is central to leveraging advanced computational approaches and bioinformatics tools to analyze complex biological datasets, driving insights in areas such as drug discovery, personalized medicine, and systems biology. You will play a key role in developing and implementing sophisticated algorithms and pipelines to extract meaningful information from large-scale omics data. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in computer science, statistics, and biology, with a proven ability to translate complex biological questions into computational strategies. This is a remote-first position, offering flexibility and the opportunity to collaborate with a globally distributed team of experts.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data.
• Design and conduct advanced statistical analyses to identify patterns, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets within large biological datasets.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists, chemists, and clinicians to define research questions and interpret computational findings.
• Build predictive models and machine learning algorithms to uncover biological insights and guide experimental design.
• Optimize existing computational workflows for efficiency, scalability, and reproducibility.
• Visualize complex biological data in an intuitive and informative manner for diverse audiences.
• Contribute to the development of scientific publications and presentations of research findings.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in bioinformatics, computational biology, and relevant biological fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant industry or academic research experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Perl, and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries and tools.
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with large-scale biological data analysis (e.g., NGS data, microarray data, mass spectrometry data).
• Familiarity with biological databases and ontologies.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote teamwork across different time zones.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and a flexible remote work environment. Employees will have access to advanced computing resources and opportunities to engage in high-impact research. This role provides the chance to make significant contributions to scientific discovery from the comfort of your home, with optional team meetups in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.