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What does a bioinformatics scientist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Sage Franetovich

A bioinformatics scientist specializes in studying biology while utilizing their expertise in computer science. Their responsibilities revolve around developing databases and software for biological advances, improving existing applications as needed, coordinating with different scientists and professionals, and maintaining extensive records of all research and transactions. It is essential to review all data, identify issues, troubleshoot, and perform corrective measures as needed. In a company setting, a bioinformatics scientist must create progress reports and presentations, all while adhering to the company's vision, mission, and goals.

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Bioinformatics scientist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real bioinformatics scientist resumes:

  • Manage informatics LIMS system for sample tracking, reporting and delivery of service projects.
  • Manage study protocols and study conduct, intimately involve in the toxicology and pharmacokinetic study protocol development process.
  • Prototyped and evaluate algorithms in MATLAB, Java, and C++.
  • Propose, win and execute a C++ software development effort to explore foliage modeling techniques for airborne LIDAR simulation systems.
  • Analyze and evaluate DTED methods utilizing both LIDAR and SAR for customer.
  • Work in both windows and unix environments
  • Design complex target panels for DNA and RNA applications.
  • Conduct quantitative (MATLAB) analysis of biological images.
  • Work within UNIX- and linux-base environment, using Postgres and SQL database.
  • Perform software maintenance on LIMS perl codes for bug fixes and feature upgrades.
  • Integrate DNA-seq and RNA-seq data for variant calling analysis and clincal cancer studies.
  • Respond to inquiries and trouble-shooting requests from data users and other TCGA consortium members.
  • Represent the data with bar charts create from matplotlib, the python graphics package.
  • Analyze WGS and SNP chip genotype data, including QC processes and association analyses.
  • Design visualization templates in Plotly (D3) and TIBCO Spotfire to visualize gene expression.

Bioinformatics scientist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Bioinformatics Scientists are proficient in Python, Next-Generation Sequencing, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Bioinformatics Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 18%

    Developed client-side interface using MATLAB, Python.

  • Next-Generation Sequencing, 12%

    Established a Next-generation sequencing platform and developed assays for high-throughput genetic analysis using Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine (PGM).

  • Data Analysis, 10%

    Automated data analysis of high-throughput yeast two-hybrid protein-protein interaction and TaqMan gene expression data by Oracle database design and software programming.

  • NGS, 5%

    Developed tools to automatically validate VCF files generated in clinical NGS pipelines.

  • Java, 5%

    Prototyped and evaluated algorithms in MATLAB, Java, and C++.

  • Visualization, 5%

    Designed visualization templates in Plotly (D3) and TIBCO Spotfire to visualize gene expression.

Common skills that a bioinformatics scientist uses to do their job include "python," "next-generation sequencing," and "data analysis." You can find details on the most important bioinformatics scientist responsibilities below.

Observation skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a bioinformatics scientist to have is observation skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Bioinformatics scientists often use observation skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "communicated detailed observations and intermediate data analysis to study director and management. "

Communication skills. Many bioinformatics scientist duties rely on communication skills. "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways," so a bioinformatics scientist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways bioinformatics scientist responsibilities rely on communication skills: "acted as project manager responsible for client communications, invoicing, and technical support. "

See the full list of bioinformatics scientist skills

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Compare different bioinformatics scientists

Bioinformatics scientist vs. Research fellow

A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.

If we compare the average bioinformatics scientist annual salary with that of a research fellow, we find that research fellows typically earn a $37,707 lower salary than bioinformatics scientists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both bioinformatics scientist and research fellow positions are skilled in python, next-generation sequencing, and data analysis.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, bioinformatics scientist responsibilities require skills like "ngs," "java," "visualization," and "linux." Meanwhile a typical research fellow has skills in areas such as "patients," "research projects," "cell culture," and "immunology." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Research fellows earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $57,261. On the other hand, bioinformatics scientists are paid more in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $98,477.The education levels that research fellows earn slightly differ from bioinformatics scientists. In particular, research fellows are 12.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a bioinformatics scientist. Additionally, they're 7.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bioinformatics scientist vs. Senior research fellow

Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.

On average, senior research fellows earn a $29,401 lower salary than bioinformatics scientists a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Bioinformatics scientists and senior research fellows both require similar skills like "python," "next-generation sequencing," and "data analysis" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real bioinformatics scientist resumes. While bioinformatics scientist responsibilities can utilize skills like "ngs," "linux," "perl," and "machine learning," senior research fellows use skills like "research projects," "research findings," "data collection," and "technical assistance."

Senior research fellows earn lower levels of education than bioinformatics scientists in general. They're 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for bioinformatics scientists in the next 3-5 years?

Sage FranetovichSage Franetovich LinkedIn profile

Science Technology Engineering Math, Holyoke Community College

In general, there will be a significant demand for video conferencing and remote work. Computer-based research using databases and statistical analysis will be necessary. In labs, PCR, genetics, and sterile technique will be used more and more. This is an ideal time for students who are studying biotechnology.

Bioinformatics scientist vs. Research associate

A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.

On average scale, research associates bring in lower salaries than bioinformatics scientists. In fact, they earn a $31,364 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on bioinformatics scientists and research associates resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "python," "next-generation sequencing," and "data analysis.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from bioinformatics scientist resumes include skills like "ngs," "java," "visualization," and "linux," whereas a research associate is more likely to list skills in "patients," "research projects," "data collection," and "cell culture. "

Research associates earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $84,005. Comparatively, bioinformatics scientists have the highest earning potential in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $98,477.Most research associates achieve a lower degree level compared to bioinformatics scientists. For example, they're 10.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 13.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Bioinformatics scientist vs. Postdoctoral research associate

A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.

Postdoctoral research associates tend to earn a lower pay than bioinformatics scientists by an average of $38,745 per year.While their salaries may vary, bioinformatics scientists and postdoctoral research associates both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "python," "next-generation sequencing," and "data analysis. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between bioinformatics scientists and postdoctoral research associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bioinformatics scientist might have more use for skills like "ngs," "java," "linux," and "perl." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of postdoctoral research associates require skills like "research projects," "chemistry," "post-doctoral," and "cell culture. "

Postdoctoral research associates enjoy the best pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $69,999. For comparison, bioinformatics scientists earn the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry.The average resume of postdoctoral research associates showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to bioinformatics scientists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 14.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 22.5%.

Types of bioinformatics scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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