Cranleigh STEM has partnered exclusively with an innovative biotechnology startup developing groundbreaking RNA sequencing technology. Having recently transitioned out of stealth mode, the company is seeking a new Head of Bioinformatics to join their Edinburgh-based team on a permanent basis.

As Head of Bioinformatics, you will play a key role as part of the Senior Leadership Team, shaping the strategic direction of bioinformatics efforts and driving data-driven decision-making. This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a high-performing team, develop transformative bioinformatics solutions, and contribute to the success of a fast-growing company with bold ambitions.

Head of Bioinformatics key responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the bioinformatics team, setting a clear strategic vision and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Oversee performance management, professional development, coaching, and mentoring.
• Ensure departmental goals align with the company’s broader strategy and objectives.

Technical Oversight

• Guide the development and optimization of bioinformatics tools, including enhancing novel software.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and automation of analysis pipelines for large-scale transcriptomics and genomic datasets.
• Manage IT and computational infrastructure, including cloud services (e.g., AWS), to enable seamless data processing across laboratory and computational environments.
• Maintain rigorous quality control standards for genomic analyses, ensuring accuracy and compliance with ethical and regulatory guidelines.

Collaboration and Communication

• Partner with researchers, data scientists, clinicians, and external stakeholders to advance research goals and inform decision-making.
• Prepare scientific and operational reports for the CEO and external stakeholders, including Board presentations and grant funding agencies.

Innovation and Strategy

• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in bioinformatics, proposing innovative solutions to enhance research capabilities.
• Build strategic partnerships with external organizations to support the company’s growth and research initiatives.

Head of Bioinformatics requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Bioinformatics or a related field.
• Proven expertise in bioinformatics and genomic data analysis, particularly high-throughput sequencing and transcriptomics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Perl.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools, algorithms, databases, and pipeline development.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience, including mentoring bioinformatics professionals.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.

Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with machine learning techniques and their bioinformatics applications.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms and scalable workflows.
• Knowledge of statistical methods applied to genomic data.
• Awareness of regulatory and ethical considerations in genomics research.

Key Personal Attributes

• Proactive, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning.
• Collaborative team player with an open and respectful approach.
• Strategic thinker capable of challenging assumptions and seeing the big picture.
• Adaptable, detail-oriented, and diligent.
• Strong ethical standards with a focus on data privacy and security.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to advance your career within a dynamic and rapidly growing team.Competitive salary + company benefits.