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.
SOC: 19-1029.01
Common Job Titles
BioinformaticistBioinformatics ScientistResearch ScientistScientist
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeDesign algorithms and databases for processing genomic and proteomic data using bioinformatics theory and computational biology methods in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research.Advanced
- KnowledgeAnalyze complex biological datasets including DNA/RNA sequences and protein structures using statistical methods and bioinformatics tools to identify patterns and biological significance.Advanced
- KnowledgeSynthesize biological knowledge from multiple public databases and literature sources to generate novel hypotheses and inform experimental design in computational biology research.Advanced
- KnowledgeEvaluate computational models and analytical pipelines for biological data processing independently assessing accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in research and clinical applications.Proficient
- KnowledgeApply machine learning and statistical techniques to genomic variant analysis collaborating with interdisciplinary teams in medical technology and pharmaceutical development.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret bioinformatics analysis results for scientific and clinical stakeholders translating complex computational findings into actionable insights for research and drug development.Proficient
- Hands-onExecute high-performance computing workflows on cloud platforms and distributed systems using Python, R, Perl, and shell scripting with tools like Apache Hadoop and AWS.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate bioinformatics software suites and genomic analysis tools including GATK, Bioconductor, and sequence alignment tools on Linux/UNIX environments.Proficient
- Hands-onManipulate relational and NoSQL databases for biological data storage and retrieval implementing SQL queries and optimizing database schemas for large-scale genomic datasets.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate cross-disciplinary perspectives from biology, computer science, and mathematics when leading collaborative research projects and communicating with diverse scientific teams.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate best practices in computational reproducibility and open science using version control systems like Git and GitHub while mentoring junior researchers.Proficient
- KnowledgeDevelop data visualization strategies and interactive dashboards for biological data using tools like Tableau and Python libraries to communicate scientific findings to technical and non-technical audiences.Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Bioinformatics Scientists (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
59,710
Wage Distribution by Percentile
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $54,500 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $159,780 |
| Workers on average earn | $100,440 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Biology4.8/5
- Computers and Electronics4.6/5
- Mathematics4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Chemistry3.6/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
Amazon Web Services AWS softwareApache HadoopBashCC#C++DjangoDockerExtensible markup language XMLGitGitHubHypertext markup language HTMLIBM SPSS StatisticsJavaScriptJavaScript Object Notation JSONLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft Azure softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRSMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAMicrosoft Visual StudioMySQLNoSQLOracle DatabaseOracle JavaOracle PL/SQLPHPPerlPostgreSQLPythonRRubySAP softwareSASSalesforce softwareScalaShell scriptStructured query language SQLTableauThe MathWorks MATLABUNIXjQuery
Technology Skills
Accelrys Pipeline PilotApache AccumuloApache GroovyApache HTTP ServerBLATBWABioPerlBioconductor
Tools & Equipment
Computer data input scannersComputer laser printersDesktop computersLaptop computersPersonal computers