Senior Geneticist - Population Studies

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24, based in Pretoria, seeks a Senior Geneticist specializing in Population Studies to design and lead population genetics projects using cutting-edge genomic technologies in a hybrid work setting. You will collaborate with scientists and clinicians to advance understanding of human genetic variation across diverse populations.

The role emphasizes statistical genetics, bioinformatic tools, and mentorship of junior researchers, with a track record of publications and strong

Qualifications

• PhD in Genetics or related field required.
• Minimum 5 years post-doctoral experience in population genetics.
• Experience with high-throughput genotyping and sequencing data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead population genetics studies using genomic data.
• Analyze large-scale genetic datasets to identify patterns of variation and selection.
• Develop statistical and computational methods for genetic data analysis.
• Collaborate with researchers to interpret findings in health, disease, and evolution.
• Mentor junior researchers and students in population genetics and genomics.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at conferences.
• Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and data privacy in genetic research.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

PhD in Genetics

Tools

R

Python

PLINK

ADMIXTURE

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading genomics research center located in Pretoria, is seeking a Senior Geneticist with a specialization in Population Studies. This role is pivotal in advancing our understanding of human genetic variation and its impact on health and disease across diverse populations. You will design and lead research projects focused on population genetics, employing cutting-edge genomic technologies and analytical approaches. The position requires a deep understanding of population genetics principles, statistical genetics, and bioinformatic tools. Working in our client's advanced research facilities in Pretoria, Gauteng, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to large-scale genetic studies and shape the future of genetic research within South Africa and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute population genetics studies using genomic data.
• Analyze large-scale genetic datasets to identify patterns of variation, admixture, and selection in human populations.
• Develop and apply statistical and computational methods for genetic data analysis.
• Collaborate with researchers to interpret genetic findings in the context of health, disease, and evolutionary biology.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals and secure external funding.
• Mentor junior researchers and students in population genetics and genomics.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and data privacy regulations in genetic research.

Requirements

• PhD in Genetics, Human Genetics, Population Genetics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience with a strong focus on population genetics.
• Demonstrated experience with high-throughput genotyping and sequencing data analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical genetics software and programming languages (e.g., R, Python, PLINK, ADMIXTURE).
• Strong understanding of evolutionary biology and human population history.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to manage research projects and mentor junior scientists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of publications.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings plan, and opportunities for professional development. You will work in a stimulating research environment with access to state-of-the-art genomic technologies. This hybrid role allows for flexibility while ensuring critical collaboration within our Pretoria research hub.