Bioinformatician

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Merck Group seeks a Bioinformatician in Glasgow, full-time onsite, to join the Global Bioinformatics team within the NGS Operations Department and design, optimize, and implement bioinformatics applications across genomics service offerings in biosafety and pharmacogenomics, with regular coordination to Rockville and Singapore as part of a global team. Key duties include providing core bioinformatics support, developing and maintaining pipelines, scripting in Python and Bash, troubleshooting, and ensuring data integrity through robust documentation and QA. Requires at least 2+ years in bioinformatics and NGS analysis, Linux proficiency, Python, Bash, and experience with Samtools, BCFtools, Blast, and related tools. Preferred: Nextflow/Snakemake, Git/Docker, GMP/GDP familiarity. To apply, tailor your resume to showcase concrete pipeline projects and measurable outcomes, demonstrate cross-functional collaboration, and highlight readiness to work onsite and contribute to a global, quality-focused team.

Work Your Magic with us!  

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.  

Your Role:

As a Bioinformatician within the Global Bioinformatics group of the Next Generation Sequencing Operations Department, your role is to design, optimize, develop and/or implement a range of bioinformatics/data analysis applications tailored to the full range of genomics service offerings. These services broadly span the product biosafety and pharmacogenomics fields. Although this is a local role based in our Glasgow, Scotland facility, you will be supporting NGS-based analysis from our locations in Rockville, Maryland and Singapore on a routine basis as part of a global team member.

Other responsibilities include:

• Provide core bioinformatics and computational analysis support for genomics/NGS-based testing services, including technical programming and pipeline support.
• Plan, initiate, and execute analysis strategies to deliver results across a portfolio of genomics service offerings.
• Develop, improve, and maintain bioinformatics pipelines/algorithms, partnering with technical leads on design and implementation.
• Write and maintain scripts/tools (e.g., Python, R, Shell) to automate workflows, improve processes, and enable data analysis.
• Troubleshoot analysis and pipeline/algorithm issues, identify root causes of complex problems, and contribute to resolution and process improvement.
• Critically interpret complex datasets, integrating experimental results with project objectives and supporting scientific/technical stakeholders.
• Ensure study/data analysis integrity and quality compliance via comprehensive documentation, peer review participation, QA support, SOP drafting, and change control for validated systems.
• Communicate effectively with management and cross-functional teams on progress, interim results, timelines, needs/bottlenecks, and train colleagues/new hires on bioinformatics concepts and platforms.
  
  

Who you are:

Required Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience in Bioinformatics.
• 2+ years of experience analyzing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) datasets.
• Proficiency with Linux systems and Linux command line.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with scripting languages such as Bash.
• Experience with common bioinformatics tools such as Samtools, BCFtools, Blast, mapping tools, de novo assembly, vcf file format etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or familiarity with bioinformatics pipeline development, operation, maintenance, and optimization.
• Experience or familiarity with bioinformatics databases, database management systems, and data storage solutions.
• Experience or familiarity with automation tools such as Nextflow, Snakemake, Seven Bridges Genomics, etc.
• Experience or familiarity with code management systems such as Git, Github, Docker, etc.
• Experience or familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) environments and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

What we offer: We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!

Apply now and become a part of a team that is dedicated to Sparking Discovery and Elevating Humanity!