About the Company
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is a premier science institution committed to agricultural research and development in South Africa. We conduct research, develop technologies, and transfer skills and innovations to foster sustainable agricultural development, enhance food security, and improve rural livelihoods. With a network of research institutes across the country, ARC plays a vital role in advancing agricultural knowledge and addressing challenges facing the sector.
Job Description
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Bioinformatician to join our dynamic research team at the Upington Research Unit. This role involves the application of computational methods and bioinformatics tools to analyze large-scale biological datasets, primarily focusing on agricultural genomics, plant science, and animal health. The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing and implementing bioinformatics pipelines, interpreting complex data, and contributing to high-impact research projects aimed at improving agricultural practices and crop/animal resilience. This is an on-site position requiring collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement robust bioinformatics pipelines for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data analysis.
- Perform statistical analysis and data visualization of large biological datasets.
- Collaborate with molecular biologists, plant breeders, and animal scientists to define research questions and experimental designs.
- Maintain and update bioinformatics software, databases, and computational resources.
- Contribute to scientific publications, reports, and grant proposals.
- Provide bioinformatics training and support to research staff as needed.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Perl) for bioinformatics.
- Strong understanding of genomic data analysis, including NGS data processing, variant calling, and gene expression analysis.
- Experience with command-line Linux/Unix environment.
- Familiarity with bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., NCBI, Ensembl, BLAST).
- Solid statistical knowledge and experience with statistical software.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
- Knowledge of agricultural genomics or related fields (plant/animal breeding, pathology).
- Experience with machine learning techniques in bioinformatics.
- Track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunity to work on impactful research projects contributing to food security.
- Access to state-of-the-art computational resources and laboratory facilities.
- Professional development and training opportunities.
- Collaborative and supportive research environment.
- Pension fund and medical aid contributions.