Senior Computational Biologist - Machine Learning

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Fully remote work

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist to lead machine learning efforts on biological data in a fully remote role. The position combines biology and computer science to drive drug discovery and personalized medicine with collaboration across scientists and engineers.

The role requires a PhD with 5+ years applying ML to biology, strong Python/R skills, and experience with cloud platforms. This is a remote, high-impact opportunity.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Statistics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize ML models for biological data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Design computational experiments to identify patterns and predict outcomes.
• Collaborate with biologists, chemists, and data scientists to define research questions.

Skills

Python

R

TensorFlow/PyTorch

ML algorithms

Education

PhD in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Git

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing bioinformatics startup at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to biological data, is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist with a strong focus on Machine Learning. This fully remote role offers an exciting opportunity to leverage advanced computational techniques to unlock insights from complex biological datasets, driving innovation in drug discovery and personalized medicine. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing machine learning models, analyzing large-scale omics data, and collaborating with a diverse team of scientists and engineers. This position requires a deep understanding of both biology and computer science, with a proven track record in applying ML to biological problems. Join a dynamic, forward-thinking company committed to revolutionizing healthcare through data science.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize machine learning models for biological data analysis (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics).
• Design and execute computational experiments to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and uncover novel biological insights.
• Collaborate with biologists, chemists, and data scientists to define research questions and translate them into computational approaches.
• Process, clean, and analyze large, complex biological datasets from various sources.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computational biology.
• Contribute to the development of new algorithms and software tools for biological data analysis.
• Communicate findings effectively through presentations, reports, and publications.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and contribute to the team's scientific strategy.

Requirements

• PhD in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research or industry experience applying machine learning to biological data.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, with extensive experience using ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Proven experience with various machine learning algorithms (e.g., deep learning, random forests, SVMs) and statistical modeling techniques.
• Solid understanding of molecular biology, genomics, or other relevant biological domains.
• Experience with large-scale data processing and cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote teamwork.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, equity options, and a comprehensive benefits package. Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of a fully remote role, working on cutting-edge projects with a talented and passionate team. This is an excellent opportunity to shape the future of computational biology and make a significant impact on healthcare.