Bioinformaticist (24 Month Sessional Contract - Wits Health Consortium)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Limited ("WHC") is a wholly-owned Company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa) under its Faculty of Health Sciences
• WHC provides Faculty with a legal framework within which to operate the research and other activities necessary to support its academic objectives
• In addition, WHC offers a range of products and services to Academics

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• Perform advanced analysis and interpretation of data produced from next generation sequencing (NGS) systems and develop webserver tools for data analysis

• NICD, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg

• Perform advanced analysis and interpretation of data produced from next generation sequencing (NGS) systems
• Develop, improve, modify and operate analysis pipelines for NGS datasets
• Conduct and initiate computational based research in the area of B cell repertoire responses to viral infection and vaccination
• Work closely with Researchers and Collaborators to generate/provide data analysis reports and perform custom analyses as requested
• Participate in training staff/students/collaborators in bioinformatics skills

• Matric
• Masters level degree in Bioinformatics or related relevant field

• Strong bioinformatics analysis and scripting experience including command line tools and proficiency with a scripting language (e.g. R or Python)
• Prior experience conducting analyses on a remote computer cluster using the Linux command line
• Ability to manage code and projects using version control systems (e.g. git, GitHub or BitBucket)
• Prior experience with workflow managers (e.g. Snakemake and Nextflow) and their application to biological data processing
• Prior experience using and building tools using containerization platforms (e.g. Docker and Singularity)

• Experience analysing RNAseq data, especially using the 10X Genomics CellRanger application
• Good understanding of immunology, especially B cell repertoire responses to viral infections and vaccination
• Proficiency in other scripting languages eg: Perl, Java, Julia
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, and assist Wet-Lab Scientists with bioinformatic analyses
• Ability to write and publish findings in scientific journals

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) that clearly states which vacancy you are applying for
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 13 August 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position