Occupation · SOC 19-1029.01
Bioinformatics Scientists
Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.
Median wage
$93,330
$54,500–$159,780
Projected growth
+1.3%
Slower than average
Annual openings
80
per year
Employed (US)
59,710
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,984 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningWritingScienceJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningMathematicsTime ManagementMonitoringSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesInstructingCoordinationService OrientationPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationTechnology DesignOperations MonitoringOperations AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment SelectionOperation and ControlRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
BiologyComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsEnglish LanguageChemistryEducation and TrainingAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyCommunications and MediaPhysicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministration and ManagementMedicine and DentistryDesignTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingProduction and ProcessingMechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityPsychologyEconomics and AccountingGeographyFine ArtsTherapy and CounselingTransportationBuilding and ConstructionSociology and AnthropologyFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguagePhilosophy and Theology
Technology & tools
Accelrys Pipeline PilotAmazon Web Services AWS softwareApache AccumuloApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerApache HadoopBLATBWABashBioPerlBioconductorBioconductor softwareBiomatters GeneiousBowtieCC#C++CanuClustalWCufflinksCytel StatXactDNA sequencing softwareData visualization softwareDjangoDockerENSEMBLExtensible markup language XMLFormula translation/translator FORTRANGenBankGenePatternGenedata ExpressionistGenome Analysis Toolkit GATKGitGitHubHypertext markup language HTMLIBM SPSS StatisticsIllumina Laboratory Information Management System LIMSJavaScriptJavaScript Object Notation JSONLife Technologies SOLiD
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersAnalyzing Data or InformationThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Molecular datasets from genomic sequencing runs — process and quality-filter using established bioinformatics pipelines under close faculty or senior scientist supervision.Existing bioinformatics software tools — install, configure, and execute on a university HPC cluster following documented protocols and lab-specific workflows.Scientific literature on emerging biochemistries and sequencing technologies — read, summarize, and present key findings at weekly lab journal-club meetings.Relational databases for biological data storage — populate and query using standard SQL commands under guidance from a senior bioinformatician.Raw microarray or RNA-seq expression data — compile and format into analysis-ready matrices by applying prescribed preprocessing scripts in a supervised research environment.Object-oriented programming languages such as Python or R — write basic scripts to automate repetitive data-formatting tasks within an established laboratory codebase.Research findings and preliminary analyses — document clearly in internal project reports following laboratory style guidelines and under mentor review.Computational strategies proposed by research collaborators — assist in evaluating feasibility by reviewing relevant literature and running benchmark tests under direction.Genome annotation reference files and public biological databases — retrieve, cross-reference, and organize for use in ongoing research projects under senior oversight.Mathematical and statistical concepts underlying sequence alignment or differential expression — apply foundational methods correctly when executing standard analytical workflows in a research lab setting.
developing
Large-scale genomic or proteomic datasets — independently analyze end-to-end using established pipelines, adapting parameters to suit specific clinical or basic research questions with minimal oversight.Custom Python, R, or Perl scripts — develop and test to extend existing analytical tools and automate multi-step workflows within an active bioinformatics research group.Relational and NoSQL databases for molecular data — design schemas, optimize queries, and maintain data integrity in support of multi-investigator research projects.Research collaborators with domain-specific biology questions — consult with to translate scientific objectives into concrete computational strategies and recommend appropriate software solutions.Gene expression profiling or structural bioinformatics datasets — compile, curate, and version-control using reproducible data management practices in a collaborative laboratory environment.New instrumentation platforms or sequencing chemistries — evaluate by reading primary literature and attending professional conferences, then brief the research team on analytical implications.Bioinformatics analysis results — communicate through clearly written manuscript sections and oral presentations at departmental seminars or regional scientific conferences.Systems analysis approaches — apply to identify bottlenecks in existing computational workflows and propose targeted improvements within the constraints of available HPC resources.Data models for multi-omics integration projects — construct and validate using enterprise database management software, ensuring scalability for growing dataset volumes.Time and project priorities across concurrent research tasks — manage independently using structured planning methods to meet grant-driven milestones in a fast-paced research environment.
proficient
Novel computational algorithms for sequence analysis or structural prediction — design, implement, and benchmark autonomously to address research goals that exceed the capability of existing published tools.Complex multi-omics datasets spanning genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics — integrate and interpret across full analytical scope to generate actionable biological insights for clinical or translational research programs.Custom bioinformatics applications — architect and develop end-to-end using object-oriented or functional programming frameworks, deploying on cloud or HPC infrastructure with robust documentation and version control.Interdisciplinary research teams including wet-lab scientists, clinicians, and computational staff — consult with autonomously to diagnose analytical problems, evaluate technology-based solutions, and guide study design decisions.Peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations — author and deliver as lead or corresponding scientist, translating complex computational findings for broad life-science audiences.Multi-terabyte genomic databases and data warehouses — design, optimize, and govern using advanced DBMS and portal server technologies to support institution-wide research data needs.Emerging biochemical assays and bioinformatics software releases — critically evaluate for methodological rigor, rapidly adapt laboratory workflows, and mentor junior staff on adoption strategies.Analytical or scientific software platforms — customize and extend through API integration and enterprise application integration tools to meet highly specific and non-routine research requirements.Systems-level evaluation of computational pipelines — perform to assess performance, reproducibility, and biological validity across diverse datasets and experimental conditions in a high-stakes research environment.Mathematical modeling and statistical inference frameworks — apply with full autonomy to develop quantitative hypotheses and validate predictions against experimental molecular biology data.
advanced
Institutional bioinformatics research strategy — define and champion across departments, securing grant funding and shaping long-term scientific direction at organizational scale.Novel analytical frameworks and computational methodologies — pioneer and publish as senior or principal author, establishing new standards of practice that influence the broader bioinformatics field.Cross-functional research programs integrating computational biology, clinical genomics, and software engineering teams — lead by setting vision, resolving high-stakes scientific conflicts, and ensuring organizational alignment.Junior scientists, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students — mentor systematically by designing individualized learning strategies and providing structured feedback that accelerates career development in bioinformatics.Enterprise-scale data infrastructure encompassing databases, HPC clusters, and cloud platforms — oversee architecture and governance decisions that enable institution-wide multi-omics research initiatives.Scientific community engagement through keynote presentations, society leadership, and editorial roles — sustain as a recognized domain authority, disseminating organizational research impact at international conferences.Strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical, clinical, and technology industry stakeholders — establish and steward by translating organizational bioinformatics capabilities into collaborative applied-research agreements.Ethical, regulatory, and data-governance frameworks for large-scale genomic and patient-linked datasets — develop and enforce at the organizational level, ensuring compliance with institutional and federal standards.Workforce capability in computational biology — assess organization-wide gaps and design training programs and hiring roadmaps that build sustained institutional expertise across all career levels.Emerging technology landscapes spanning next-generation sequencing, AI-driven structural biology, and single-cell methods — evaluate strategically and determine organizational investment priorities that position the institution at the scientific frontier.
Also known as
31 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
BioinformaticianBioinformaticistBioinformatics AnalystBioinformatics AssociateBioinformatics Computer ScientistBioinformatics ConsultantBioinformatics Data AnalystBioinformatics DeveloperBioinformatics EngineerBioinformatics Research ScientistBioinformatics Research SpecialistBioinformatics ScientistBioinformatics SpecialistBioinformatics Support SpecialistComputational BiologistData AnalystDrug Discovery Informatics SpecialistGenetics Bioinformatics AnalystGenomics SpecialistLaboratory Bioinformatics AnalystMicroarray AnalystMicroarray SpecialistMolecular ModelerOncology Bioinformatics AnalystProgrammer AnalystResearch AssociateResearch ScientistScientific Database CuratorScientistStatistical Genetic AnalystSystems Analyst