What does a bioinformaticist do?
Bioinformaticist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real bioinformaticist resumes:
- Develop UNIX shell script, PERL and AWK program and apply TECPLOT software macro files to automate data processing and report.
- Implement many diverse analysis algorithms in Perl.
- Implement biological interpretation of largescale data using gene ontology, gene set, and pathway and network enrichment analytical frameworks.
- Develop a Java program to generate well format PDF reports automatically.
Bioinformaticist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 45% of Bioinformaticists are proficient in Python, Unix, and Perl.
We break down the percentage of Bioinformaticists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 45%
Developed big data analysis pipelines using Python and Makefiles.
- Unix, 15%
Developed UNIX shell script, PERL and AWK program and applied TECPLOT software macro files to automate data processing and report.
- Perl, 13%
Assumed responsibility for programming, using Perl and CGI and shell scripting.
- NGS, 13%
Developed best practice documentation for NGS analysis to enable transparent and reproducible data analysis.
- HPC, 5%
Applied HT sequencing software on local Penguin HPC clusters and at TACC.
- Biological Data, 3%
Managed all of the biological data for the division on DEC VAX and PC computer systems.
"python," "unix," and "perl" are among the most common skills that bioinformaticists use at work. You can find even more bioinformaticist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a bioinformaticist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what bioinformaticists do because "analysts must interpret complex information from various sources and decide the best way to move forward on a project." Additionally, a bioinformaticist resume shows how bioinformaticists use analytical skills: "implemented many diverse analysis algorithms in perl. "
The three companies that hire the most bioinformaticists are:
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear4 bioinformaticists jobs
- Harvard University4 bioinformaticists jobs
- CDC Foundation2 bioinformaticists jobs
Compare different bioinformaticists
Bioinformaticist vs. Researcher
A researcher is responsible for collating, organizing, and verifying necessary information for a specific subject. Researchers' duties include analyzing data, gathering and comparing resources, ensuring facts, sharing findings with the whole research team, adhering to required methodologies, performing fieldwork as needed, and keeping critical information confidential. Researchers must be knowledgeable about the current market trends and align findings with the research goals. A researcher must show strong communication skills, as well as strong attention to detail and time-management skills to meet deadlines under minimal supervision.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, bioinformaticist responsibilities require skills like "bash," "unix," "perl," and "ngs." Meanwhile a typical researcher has skills in areas such as "lab equipment," "c++," "data analysis," and "data collection." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Researchers tend to reach lower levels of education than bioinformaticists. In fact, researchers are 26.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Bioinformaticist vs. Scientific database curator
A Postdoctoral Scholar is responsible for supporting an educational research group to conduct studies and gather relevant data to support study claims and scientific evidence. They review initial findings, perform field investigations, and interview the target respondents for data and statistical analysis. They also coordinate with the whole team for efficient research methods, ensuring adherence to budget limitations and required timetables. A Postdoctoral Scholar must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, to document reports and discuss results with the research team.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that bioinformaticist responsibilities requires skills like "python," "bash," "unix," and "perl." But a scientific database curator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "scientific literature," "scientific journals," "encode," and "scientific community."
Scientific database curators earn lower levels of education than bioinformaticists in general. They're 24.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 15.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Bioinformaticist vs. Postdoctoral scholar
Genomics scientists are healthcare professionals who are responsible for examining the samples of the nucleic acid of patients to identify genetic and genomic alterations that may cause inherited diseases or conditions. These scientists are required to examine cells for possible anomalies in the fetus where single-gene disorders have been identified through DNA analysis of families. They must conduct carrier testing and risk assessment for individuals who are at risk of single-gene disorders. Genomics scientists must also perform confirmation of diagnosis for patients with both inherited and acquired conditions.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a bioinformaticist is likely to be skilled in "bash," "unix," "perl," and "ngs," while a typical postdoctoral scholar is skilled in "chemistry," "patients," "data analysis," and "nih."
Postdoctoral scholars typically earn lower educational levels compared to bioinformaticists. Specifically, they're 19.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Bioinformaticist vs. Genomics scientist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between bioinformaticists and genomics scientists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bioinformaticist might have more use for skills like "python," "bash," "unix," and "perl." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of genomics scientists require skills like "data analysis," "qc," "pcr," and "scientific literature. "
In general, genomics scientists hold lower degree levels compared to bioinformaticists. Genomics scientists are 23.3% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 13.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of bioinformaticist
Updated January 8, 2025