This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
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.
Also Known As:Bioinformatician, Bioinformaticist, Bioinformatics Analyst, Bioinformatics Associate, Bioinformatics Computer Scientist, Bioinformatics Consultant, Bioinformatics Data Analyst, Bioinformatics Developer +23 more
Core Tasks
Develop new software applications or customize existing applications to meet specific scientific project needs.
Communicate research results through conference presentations, scientific publications, or project reports.
Create novel computational approaches and analytical tools as required by research goals.
Consult with researchers to analyze problems, recommend technology-based solutions, or determine computational strategies.
Analyze large molecular datasets, such as raw microarray data, genomic sequence data, or proteomics data, for clinical or basic research purposes.
Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
Develop data models and databases.
Compile data for use in activities, such as gene expression profiling, genome annotation, or structural bioinformatics.
Design and apply bioinformatics algorithms including unsupervised and supervised machine learning, dynamic programming, or graphic algorithms.
Manipulate publicly accessible, commercial, or proprietary genomic, proteomic, or post-genomic databases.
Direct the work of technicians and information technology staff applying bioinformatics tools or applications in areas such as proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, or clinical bioinformatics.
Provide statistical and computational tools for biologically based activities, such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, or gene function determination.
Create or modify web-based bioinformatics tools.
Supplemental Tasks (7)
Improve user interfaces to bioinformatics software and databases.
Confer with departments, such as marketing, business development, or operations, to coordinate product development or improvement.
Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations.
Instruct others in the selection and use of bioinformatics tools.
Collaborate with software developers in the development and modification of commercial bioinformatics software.
Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.
Prepare summary statistics of information regarding human genomes.
Education & Training
Job Zone 5Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Bachelor's Degree
34%
Post-Doctoral Training
32%
Master's Degree
16%
Doctoral Degree
14%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.