Senior Computational Biologist - Precision Medicine Initiative

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Computational Biologist for its research division in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA. The role is primarily remote with flexible working arrangements and opportunities to contribute to precision medicine through multi-omics analyses and predictive modeling.

You will lead pipelines, collaborate with biologists and data scientists, and mentor junior team members while staying current with advances in bioinformatics and cloud-based computing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, CS or related quantitative field.
• Minimum 6 years of post-doctoral experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R and relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, ML, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with large-scale datasets (e.g., TCGA, GEO, ENCODE).
• Familiarity with cloud environments (AWS, GCP) and HPC clusters.
• Excellent understanding of molecular biology, genetics and disease mechanisms.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for multi-omics data analysis.
• Apply statistical and ML methods to identify disease genes, pathways, and biomarkers.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to interpret findings and design experiments.
• Build predictive models for patient stratification, treatment response, and disease progression.
• Develop and maintain databases for biological information and results.
• Visualize complex data and communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to design of clinical trials and biomarker discovery strategies.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and support research.

Skills

Python

R

Statistical analysis

Machine learning

Data mining

Biological interpretation

Education

PhD in Computational Biology or related field

Tools

AWS

GCP

HPC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking biotechnology firm focused on revolutionizing healthcare through precision medicine, is seeking an experienced Senior Computational Biologist for their research division located in **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA**. This role is primarily remote, allowing for flexible working arrangements while contributing to groundbreaking projects. You will leverage advanced computational techniques and large biological datasets to uncover novel insights into disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop personalized treatment strategies. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of medicine and work within a dynamic, innovative team dedicated to improving patient outcomes. The position is based in **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA**, but offers significant remote work flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational pipelines for the analysis of multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.).
• Apply statistical and machine learning methods to identify disease-associated genes, pathways, and biomarkers.
• Collaborate with experimental biologists, clinicians, and data scientists to interpret findings and design new experiments.
• Build predictive models for patient stratification, treatment response, and disease progression.
• Develop and maintain databases for biological information and experimental results.
• Visualize complex biological data and effectively communicate findings to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to the design of clinical trials and biomarker discovery strategies.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, bioinformatics, and precision medicine.
• Mentor junior computational biologists and support their research endeavors.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral experience in computational biology or bioinformatics.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant bioinformatics libraries.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data mining techniques.
• Experience with large-scale biological datasets (e.g., TCGA, GEO, ENCODE).
• Familiarity with cloud computing environments (AWS, GCP) and high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.
• Excellent understanding of molecular biology, genetics, and disease mechanisms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on biological interpretation.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, suitable for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k matching program, and generous paid time off. We provide significant opportunities for professional development, including attending conferences, workshops, and continuous learning initiatives. This position offers substantial remote work flexibility, supporting a healthy work-life balance, while also having connections to our **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA** research hub. You will be part of a collaborative and innovative team focused on advancing precision medicine. Relocation assistance may be available for candidates wishing to be closer to **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, ZA**.