Senior Genomics Data Scientist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary package

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plan with company-m

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Remote work culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Genomics Data Scientist to join a Pretoria-based team working remotely. The role focuses on analyzing large-scale genomic and multi-omic data, developing advanced computational methods, and translating findings into biology and clinical insights.

The successful candidate will lead ML-driven analyses, design pipelines, and mentor junior scientists while collaborating with biologists, clinicians, and other researchers in a remote-friendly setting.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field (bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics or CS).
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on analysis of large-scale genomic data.
• Proficient in Python or R and bioinformatics libraries (GATK/PLINK/Bioconductor).
• Experience with cloud computing and HPC environments; strong genetics knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of statistical and ML methods for NGS and multi-omics data.
• Build robust pipelines for variant calling, annotation, and interpretation.
• Analyze genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data for insights.
• Develop predictive models for disease risk and treatment response.
• Collaborate with scientists to translate findings into hypotheses and clinical concepts.
• Ensure reproducible, scalable computational workflows; communicate results clearly.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to team strategy.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Communication skills

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD or Master's in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Statistics/CS

Tools

GATK

PLINK

Bioconductor

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leader in precision medicine research, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Genomics Data Scientist to join their dynamic team based in **Pretoria**. This role is pivotal in advancing our understanding of complex diseases through the analysis of large-scale genomic and multi-omic datasets. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing advanced computational methods to uncover genetic associations, identify disease biomarkers, and drive personalized therapeutic strategies. The position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute from anywhere while working with a leading organization in **Pretoria**'s scientific community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and application of advanced statistical and machine learning algorithms for the analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including whole-genome, exome, and RNA-seq data.
• Design and implement robust bioinformatics pipelines for variant calling, annotation, and interpretation.
• Integrate and analyze diverse multi-omic datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to gain comprehensive biological insights.
• Develop predictive models for disease risk, progression, and treatment response.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biologists, geneticists, and clinicians to translate complex data findings into biological hypotheses and clinical applications.
• Ensure the reproducibility and scalability of computational workflows.
• Communicate complex findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences through reports, presentations, and visualizations.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the overall technical strategy of the genomics team.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with relevant bioinformatics libraries and tools (e.g., GATK, PLINK, Bioconductor).
• Strong experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and high-performance computing environments.
• Deep understanding of human genetics, molecular biology, and statistical genetics principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package, commensurate with experience and remote status.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance benefits.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company matching.
• Significant opportunities for professional development, including access to online courses and conferences.
• Flexible working hours and a supportive remote work culture.
• The opportunity to make a tangible impact on precision medicine research from **Pretoria** (or remotely).