Lead Bioinformatics Platform

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Provide scientific, technical, operational, and financial leadership for the Bioinformatics Platform team, ensuring coordination across bioinformatics, software development, and computational infrastructure.
• Lead project planning and resource allocation, balancing routine service delivery, infrastructure development, software development, and R&D activities.
• Oversee the development of capabilities in areas such as genomics, metagenomics, microbiome analysis, spatial omics, short-read and long-read sequencing, structural biology, multi-omics, and AI-enabled biological data analysis.
• Monitor developments in bioinformatics, computational biology, AI, and software engineering to identify opportunities for introducing relevant technologies.
• Ensure efficient day-to-day delivery of bioinformatics and data analysis services to KAUST researchers, faculty, and Core Labs.
• Provide expert guidance on bioinformatics and computational approaches for complex research projects.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with faculty, researchers, Core Labs, IT, research platforms, and external partners.
• Contribute to the development of new collaborations, externally funded projects, and consultancy opportunities.
• Lead the development and improvement of scalable bioinformatics workflows, analytical pipelines, software tools, and computational services.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of web-based bioinformatics services, databases, and computational resources.
• Develop and implement software and computational asset management strategies.
• Contribute to FAIR data management practices.
• Plan and oversee SOPs, workflows, user, and technical documentation.
• Coordinate with KAUST IT and the Supercomputing Core Lab on computational resources.
• Establish quality control, quality assurance, validation, reproducibility, and documentation practices.
• Lead financial planning and budget management for the Platform, identifying opportunities for cost optimization, external funding, and service revenue.
• Recruit, mentor, coach, and develop staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and positive work environment.
• Lead the development of new bioinformatics methodologies, software tools, and AI-driven methods.
• Contribute to training, workshops, publications, and grant proposals.
• Experience Requirements
• Candidates should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field, demonstrating a strong background in leading teams and managing complex projects.

Work Environment

• This role operates within a dynamic research environment at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, collaborating with various core labs, IT departments, and research platforms. The position requires interaction with faculty, researchers, and external partners, contributing to a collaborative and innovative scientific community.
• Application Information
• This is a full-time position with a salary that will be disclosed during the recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Requirements
• Candidates should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field, demonstrating a strong background in leading teams and managing complex projects.