What is a bioinformatic scientist and what do they do?

Updated 6 June 2023

Bioinformatics is an important field that combines biology, computer science and technology to analyse and interpret complex biological data. A bioinformatic scientist plays a crucial role in understanding the massive amount of information that areas like genomics, proteomics and drug discovery generate. If you're interested in work that impacts human health, the environment and agriculture, a role as a scientist in bioinformatics may suit you. In this article, you can find out more about the role, the necessary skills and qualifications, a scientist's responsibilities and the potential career paths within the field.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

What is a bioinformatic scientist?

A bioinformatic scientist, sometimes called a computational biologist, is a scientist who uses computational techniques to analyse, organise and interpret biological data. They work with vast amounts of information that modern molecular biology techniques, such as genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, generate. By developing new algorithms, databases and software tools, these scientists help advance the knowledge of living organisms and contribute to developing new drugs, therapies and diagnostic tools.

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What does a scientist in bioinformatics do?

The day-to-day work of someone in this position can vary depending on their specific area of expertise. Some tasks include:

Conducting data analysis: These scientists excel at analysing complex datasets that often involve vast amounts of biological information. They apply advanced computational techniques and algorithms to draw meaningful conclusions from the data, contributing to advancing biological knowledge.
Developing and implementing algorithms: Experts in bioinformatics develop and implement computational methods to analyse large-scale biological data, such as genomic sequences, gene expression data and protein structures. By designing algorithms and computational models, they help reveal meaningful patterns and relationships within the data, which can lead to new insights and discoveries.
Collaborating with other scientists: Scientists in bioinformatics often work closely with other researchers, such as biologists, geneticists and computer scientists, to develop research questions and design experiments. They also provide computational support and expertise, helping to design data collection methods and analyse experimental results.
Managing and organising data: With the vast amount of biological data generated by modern research, these experts play a critical role in data management. They oversee organising, storing and maintaining large datasets, ensuring data integrity and making data accessible to other researchers.
Developing and maintaining software tools: Bioinformatics-based scientists create and maintain software tools that facilitate the analysis and interpretation of biological data. They may develop custom software for specific research projects or contribute to open-source bioinformatics projects, ensuring the scientific community can access reliable and up-to-date computational tools.
Improving data quality and standards: Ensuring high-quality data is essential in bioinformatics. Scientists in this field work to establish and implement data standards and develop methods to assess and improve data quality. This helps to ensure that research findings are reliable and reproducible.
Disseminating knowledge: As experts in their domain, these scientists contribute to the broader scientific community by publishing their findings in peer-reviewed journals. This helps disseminate new knowledge and encourages further research and innovation in the field.

Education requirements for bioinformatic scientists

The educational requirements for this role typically involve a combination of formal education and practical experience in relevant areas, such as biology, computer science and mathematics. Key educational requirements for the role include:

A bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology, computer science or bioinformatics, provides a strong foundation in the basic principles and concepts that are crucial for a career in bioinformatics. This degree can help you develop an understanding of the underlying biological processes and programming and data analysis techniques essential for working with complex biological data.
A master's degree or doctorate in bioinformatics or a related field: Companies value candidates with advanced degrees in bioinformatics, computational biology or a related field. These advanced degrees cover specialities, such as genomics, proteomics or machine learning, and often involve hands-on research projects.
Programming skills: A proficiency in programming languages, such as Python, R or Perl, allows scientists to develop customised tools, automate workflows and analyse large-scale datasets. You may also find it beneficial to gain a familiarity with statistical analysis methods and software packages, such as MATLAB or SAS, which can enable you to interpret and visualise complex data.
Specialist knowledge: Expertise in specialist areas can improve job prospects in some areas. For example, if you're interested in working with genomic data, you may benefit from having a background in genetics or molecular biology, but if you want to focus on protein structure analysis, you could pursue coursework or training in biophysics or structural biology.

Skills and qualifications necessary for a bioinformatics-based scientist

Successful scientists with a unique blend of skills usually excel in their field. Some of the most significant skills that are useful for this role include:

Technical expertise

These scientists typically have a solid foundation in computer science, statistics and mathematics. Also, companies often require candidates to have proficiency in programming languages alongside experience with statistical analysis and machine learning techniques. These skills help bioinformatics-based scientists develop and implement powerful analyses to tackle complex biological questions.

Biological knowledge

Understanding the underlying principles of molecular biology, genetics and related fields can help you to succeed in this role. With this knowledge, scientists can design biologically relevant computational methods and understand the patterns and relationships that their analyses reveal. A strong background in biology allows them to communicate effectively with researchers from various disciplines, fostering fruitful collaborations.

Problem-solving

Working with intricate data and computational problems demands exceptional problem-solving skills. Critical and creative thinking enables scientists in bioinformatics to develop innovative solutions to research challenges, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. You can overcome obstacles and drive progress in the field by refining your problem-solving abilities.

Communication

Bioinformatic scientists often collaborate with researchers across diverse disciplines, so effective collaboration skills are vital. Their work can involve explaining complex concepts in an accessible manner and presenting their findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. Strong communication skills facilitate successful collaborations and ensure the broader scientific community can benefit from a scientist's insights and discoveries.

Data management and organisation

Efficient data management and organisation skills can help you manage vast amounts of data. Effective scientists are adept at handling diverse data types, from genomic sequences to proteomic profiles, and are proficient in using databases and data storage solutions. By maintaining well-organised and accurate datasets, they can streamline their research processes, avoid errors and ensure data integrity and reproducibility.

Adaptability

The field of bioinformatics is constantly evolving, with new technologies, methods and challenges emerging regularly. Adaptability supports continuous learning, which can help you stay up to date with the field's latest developments. By embracing new ideas and tools, you can contribute to advancing knowledge in bioinformatics and related disciplines.

Where bioinformatic scientists work

Scientists in bioinformatics play a vital role in various industries, contributing to diverse research areas and applications. Key industries that employ these scientists include:

Academia and research institutions

Scientists often work at universities, research centres and other academic institutions, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Their work involves conducting independent research or collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to develop new computational methods, analyse complex datasets and publish research findings. They may support applications for research funding, publish scientific papers and present findings at conferences. In some cases, they also teach and mentor students.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries

These industries benefit from the expertise of bioinformatics-based scientists in drug discovery, target identification and personalised medicine. They contribute to developing novel therapeutics and diagnostics by analysing large-scale biological data, developing computational models, predicting drug efficacy and safety and analysing molecular interactions. They may also collaborate with chemists, pharmacologists and clinicians to expedite drug discovery and development processes.

Healthcare and clinical research organisations

Healthcare organisations and clinical research centres often employ bioinformatic experts who focus on analysing and interpreting patient data to inform clinical decision-making and advance precision medicine. Scientists may analyse patient data, such as genomic information or electronic health records, to identify disease biomarkers, predict treatment outcomes and support personalised therapeutic strategies. They may also develop and validate clinical decision-support tools to assist healthcare practitioners.

The agriculture and food industries

Scientists in the agriculture and food industries support crop improvement, livestock breeding and food safety efforts. They analyse large-scale genomic data to identify genes and develop strategies for sustainable agriculture. Their work involves applying bioinformatics approaches to plant and animal breeding, identifying genes related to disease resistance or yield improvement and monitoring foodborne pathogens using genomic data.

A scientist's work environment in the bioinformatic field

These scientists often work in interdisciplinary teams comprising biologists, chemists, computer scientists and statisticians. They typically work in both office and laboratory spaces with access to advanced computational tools and other scientists or researchers. They typically work a standard 40 hours per week, although the hours can differ per employer. Some may also travel for conferences, workshops or collaborative research projects. Continuing professional development is an ongoing aspect of the role, contributing to the development of their expertise.