Senior Computational Biologist (Remote-First)

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Health benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Remote with home office stipend

Conferences and courses

Inclusive culture

401(k) matching & bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Biologist to join a fully remote team innovating in bioinformatics. You will tackle complex genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data using Python, R, and ML methods, collaborating with clinicians and wet-lab scientists.

You will mentor junior researchers, develop robust pipelines, and stay current with rapid advances in the field. This remote-first role offers strong growth, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities across distributed teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Biology or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years post-PhD in computational biology or related field.
• Proficiency in Python and R with data analysis and visualization libraries.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) and HPC environments.
• Familiarity with genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics tools.
• Strong problem-solving and remote-work ability.

Responsibilities

• Design computational strategies for analyzing genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.
• Develop ML models to identify biological insights and potential drug targets.
• Collaborate with wet-lab scientists and clinicians on research questions.
• Interpret data and generate reports for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build bioinformatics pipelines and tools for internal use.
• Stay updated with advances in computational biology and genomics.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to team leadership.
• Manage multiple projects remotely with timely delivery.

Skills

Python

R

Statistics

Machine Learning

Education

PhD in Computational Biology

Tools

AWS

GCP

HPC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in bioinformatics, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Computational Biologist to join their dynamic, fully remote team. This pivotal role will involve tackling complex biological challenges through advanced computational methods and data analysis. You will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and development projects, driving scientific discovery from conceptualization to implementation. As a remote-first organization, we foster a collaborative and supportive virtual environment, ensuring seamless communication and project success across distributed teams. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious scientist to make a significant impact in a forward-thinking company, working on cutting-edge genomics and transcriptomics data. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth for all our remote employees, providing them with the resources and support needed to excel in their careers while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement computational strategies for analyzing large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets.
• Develop and apply advanced statistical and machine learning models to identify novel biological insights and potential drug targets.
• Collaborate closely with wet-lab scientists, clinicians, and other stakeholders to define research questions and experimental designs.
• Analyze and interpret complex biological data, generating clear and concise reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to the development of robust bioinformatics pipelines and software tools for internal use and potential external distribution.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational biology, genomics, and related fields, integrating new methodologies into our research framework.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the intellectual leadership of the team.
• Effectively manage multiple research projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery of results in a remote setting.

Requirements

• Ph.D. 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 a related field.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R, with extensive experience in data analysis and visualization libraries.
• Strong understanding of statistical methods, machine learning algorithms, and their application to biological data.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and high-performance computing environments.
• Familiarity with common bioinformatics tools and databases relevant to genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a meticulous approach to data analysis and interpretation.
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively within a remote team environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Demonstrated experience in a remote-first work setting is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive health benefits, a generous paid time off policy, and a strong commitment to professional development.
• As a fully remote position, you will enjoy the flexibility and autonomy that comes with working from home, including potential home office stipends.
• We also provide opportunities for continuous learning through conferences, workshops, and online courses.
• Our client believes in nurturing talent and fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive and contribute to our shared success.
• We offer a 401(k) matching program and performance-based bonuses.