Senior/Lead Health Data Scientist (Statistical Genetics or Bioinformatics)
We are a fast growing professional services company, where you will be able to apply and develop pioneering scientific solutions for challenges in the life sciences industry. Grow your career with us!
The Role
Optima Partners is a leading professional services firm experiencing rapid growth and innovation. As part of our expansion, we are dedicated to advancing our capabilities in data science and statistical genetics. We are seeking an exceptional Lead Data Scientist specialising in Statistical Genetics or bioinformatics to join our team. This role will be pivotal in driving our genetic research initiatives and contributing to cutting-edge solutions that enhance our services.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership (only for the Lead position)
- Lead the development and execution of data science strategies focused on statistical genetics, bioinformatics and computational biology.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate genetic data insights into broader business strategies.
- Provide thought leadership in the application of statistical genetics to solve complex biological and medical problems.
Research & Development
- Design and conduct advanced statistical analyses of large-scale genetic and genomic datasets.
- Ability to interpret the results and find tangible link between the outcomes and the methodology applied.
- Develop and validate predictive models to understand genetic contributions to complex traits and diseases.
- Stay abreast of the latest advancements in statistical genetics and bioinformatics, incorporating relevant techniques into ongoing projects.
Technical Expertise
- Required
- Apply statistical genetics methodologies such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS), meta-analysis, polygenic risk scoring, heritability.
- Apply genetics causal inference methodologies such as finemapping, colocalization and Mendelian randomisation.
- Scientifically support ideation, design, development and maintenance of the large-scale pipelines and workflows.
- Ensure robust data processing pipelines and workflows for handling large-scale genomic data.
- Familiarity with target validation approaches such as ontology & pathway enrichment, gene and protein annotations, disease-phenotype associations.
- Preferred
- Develop statistically grounded methodologies to arrive to practical solutions.
Data Management & Compliance
- Ensure the integrity, security, and confidentiality of genetic data in compliance with relevant regulations.
- Implement and maintain high standards for data quality and reproducibility in research findings.
Communication & Reporting
- Communicate complex statistical genetic concepts and findings to non-technical stakeholders.
- Communicate and align with engineering and product teams and work towards achieving common understanding of needs and requirements.
- Prepare and present scientific publications, reports, and presentations to both internal and external audiences.
Skills &Experience
- PhD (or Master’s degree with extensive experience) in quantitative discipline such as Statistical Genetics, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience (for Lead position) or at least 3 years of experience (for Senior position) in statistical genetics or a closely related discipline.
- Strong programming skills in languages such as R, Python, and experience with relevant bioinformatics tools and databases.
- Extensive experience with large-scale genomic datasets (e.g., Open Target Genetics, GWAS-/eQTL-Cat) and biobanks (e.g., UKBiobank, FinnGen)
- Experience in target validation procedures such as variant annotations (VEP), GO enrichment, pathway enrichment, PPIs.
- Experience in utilizing and understanding of on-prem and/or cloud high-performance computing environments.
- Experience working with at least one cloud platform (Azure, GCP, Amazon AWS).
- Experience working with bioinformatics tools CLI/APIs (e.g. PLINK, bcftools, GATK, etc.)
- Proven track record of accomplishment of conducting and publishing high-quality research in statistical genetics.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Effective communication skills with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to a diverse audience.
The Company
Optima Partners is an advanced data and business consultancy headquartered in Edinburgh, UK. We are practitioner led and partner with leading consumer brands to drive transformation and catalyse customer-centricity through our expertise in customer strategy, design innovation, and innovative data science and engineering.
In late 2023, we proudly launched our new division, bioXcelerate AI, which stands at the forefront of revolutionising life sciences and healthcare research. bioXcelerate AI uses state-of-the-art data science and proprietary algorithms to accelerate the transformation of data into actionable insights, redefining industry standards. At bioXcelerate, we are fostering a scientific community; therefore, our scientists are exposed to a vast academic collaborations while delivering on pressing issues in the life sciences industry. Please visit us at www.bioxcelerateai.com.
- Department
- Health Data Sciences
- Role
- Lead Health Data Scientist
- Locations
- Holborn Circus, London, Castle Park, Bristol, Bayes Centre, Edinburgh, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
- Remote status
- Hybrid Remote
Senior/Lead Health Data Scientist (Statistical Genetics or Bioinformatics)
We are a fast growing professional services company, where you will be able to apply and develop pioneering scientific solutions for challenges in the life sciences industry. Grow your career with us!
Loading application form
Already working at Optima Partners?
Let’s recruit together and find your next colleague.