Research & Development (R&D) Lead

We are looking for a PhD-level Bioinformatics R&D Lead to spearhead our applied research efforts at the crossroads of bioinformatics, computational biology, and AI/machine learning. This role involves leading projects from initial concept through prototype development to production, focusing on computational methods for genomic and diagnostic data. The successful candidate will work closely with engineering teams to translate research into clinical-grade tools. This is a hands-on leadership position that requires balancing scientific rigor with practical delivery and is open to exceptional candidates worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

- Define and manage the bioinformatics R&D roadmap, ensuring alignment with the company’s diagnostic products and overall business objectives.
- Lead applied research initiatives that integrate bioinformatics and computational biology with machine learning and AI, including NGS/genomic data analysis, variant interpretation, and predictive modeling for diagnostics.
- Design, develop, and validate reproducible bioinformatics pipelines and machine learning models using genomic, multi-omic, molecular, and clinical datasets.
- Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team comprising bioinformaticians, computational biologists, data scientists, and software/DevOps engineers, delegating tasks across coding and engineering domains.
- Rapidly prototype and benchmark promising research outcomes, collaborating with engineering teams to transition these into production environments.
- Contribute to scientific publications, patent filings, and regulatory or clinical submissions as applicable.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to developers and junior researchers, fostering a culture of experimentation and scientific excellence.
- Stay current with academic and industry advancements in genomics and AI, representing the company’s technical thought leadership externally.
- Ensure that research and data handling comply with healthcare data privacy, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

- PhD in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Systems Biology, Biostatistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline, with proven work at the intersection of biology/medicine and computation.
- At least three years of post-PhD experience applying computational methods to biological or genomic data, preferably within biotech, diagnostics, or pharmaceutical industries.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, drive projects with minimal supervision, and effectively delegate tasks across teams, including coding and engineering responsibilities.
- Strong expertise in machine learning and AI, with hands-on experience using frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn applied to genomics or biomedical datasets.
- Proficiency in Python and R programming, along with experience using bioinformatics workflow management tools like Nextflow, Snakemake, or WDL/Cromwell in Linux environments.
- Practical experience analyzing large, complex genomics datasets, including NGS, RNA-Seq, and transcriptomics.
- A strong track record of research excellence demonstrated through publications, patents, or a robust applied research portfolio, combined with the ability to translate research into production-grade systems and lead cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in oncology/cancer genomics, hematology, molecular diagnostics, or multi-omics data integration.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure, and knowledge of MLOps practices for scalable and reproducible analyses.
- Understanding of clinical and regulatory frameworks including CLIA/CAP, FDA submissions, HIPAA, and assay validation processes.
- Knowledge of healthcare data standards such as EHR, HL7, or FHIR.
- Prior experience building, leading, or mentoring teams in bioinformatics or computational biology.

This role offers the opportunity to lead cutting-edge research at the interface of biology and AI, contributing to impactful diagnostic solutions in a collaborative and innovative environment.