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Junior Bioinformatics Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

... and mentor a junior colleague through a tricky method in the afternoon. Throughout, you are ... bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics or a closely related field - and you have led ...

Junior Bioinformatics information

See Virginia salary details

$18.8K

$52K

$87.2K

How much do junior bioinformatics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior bioinformatics in Virginia is $52,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35,700.00 and $57,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior bioinformatics?

To thrive as a Junior Bioinformatics professional, you need a solid background in biology and computer science, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with bioinformatics tools such as BLAST, Galaxy, R, and Python, as well as experience with databases like GenBank, is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are important for translating complex data into actionable insights and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. These competencies are critical for accurately analyzing biological data and contributing to research and development projects in life sciences.

What does a junior bioinformatics do?

A typical day for a Junior Bioinformatics professional involves processing and analyzing biological data sets, using specialized software and coding scripts to interpret results. You’ll often collaborate closely with molecular biologists, data scientists, and other team members to support ongoing research projects. Tasks might include troubleshooting data pipelines, generating reports, and contributing to meetings that discuss research findings. The work environment is generally team-oriented and project-driven, offering opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues and gain hands-on experience with the latest technologies in genomics and data analysis.

What is a junior bioinformatics?

A Junior Bioinformatics job is an entry-level position that involves analyzing biological data using computational tools and techniques. Professionals in this role assist in tasks such as genome sequencing, protein structure analysis, and developing algorithms for biological research. They typically work in research institutions, biotech companies, or healthcare settings, collaborating with scientists and data analysts. Junior bioinformaticians are expected to have a background in biology, computer science, or a related field, along with proficiency in programming languages like Python or R. This role serves as a foundation for advancing into more specialized bioinformatics careers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Bioinformatics jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Bioinformatics jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Bioinformatics jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Bioinformatics jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Junior Bioinformatics jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Junior Bioinformatics job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Bioinformatics job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 54% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 43% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,012 per year, or $25 per hour.

Software Engineer with Security Clearance

Blackhawk Enterprise Incorporated

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$109K - $131K/yr

Other

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Engineer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of our mission-critical data infrastructure, with a focus on bioinformatics and the processing of large-scale genomic data. This role requires a hands-on engineer who can architect robust data solutions, establish best practices for data management, and ensure the scalability and reliability of systems supporting secure government operations. You will be responsible for mentoring team members and driving technical excellence across our data ecosystem.
Primary Responsibilities
Design, build, and maintain scalable, reliable, and performant data pipelines for bioinformatics and genomic data.
Architect and implement data models and database schemas to meet application and analytics requirements.
Lead technical decision-making for the evolution and modernization of our data technology stack.
Establish and enforce data engineering standards, best practices, and architectural patterns.
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through code reviews, pair programming, and technical guidance.
Optimize and scale our data infrastructure, including microservices, databases, and real-time data streams.
Ensure security compliance and implement secure data handling practices for classified environments.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues across distributed data systems.
Required Technical Skills
Core Languages: Expert-level proficiency in Python and/or Javascript.
Scientific Data Expertise:
Proven experience in bioinformatics, scientific data management, or a related domain involving the processing and analysis of large-scale datasets.
Data Engineering & Processing:
Workflow Orchestration: Deep experience with tools like Apache Airflow, Prefect, or Dagster.
Big Data Frameworks: Hands-on experience with processing frameworks such as Apache Spark.
Stream & Message Brokers: Experience with real-time data streaming using Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, AWS SQS/SNS, or Azure Service Bus.
Data Storage & Databases:
SQL Databases: Expertise in relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle) including advanced query optimization and schema design.
Object Stores?
Search & Indexing: Familiarity with search engines like Elasticsearch or OpenSearch.
Cloud & Infrastructure:
Cloud Platforms: Strong experience with services from AWS, Azure, or GCP.
DevOps: Experience with automation tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, or GitHub Actions as well as infrastructure tools like Helm and Terraform.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing event-driven architectures and microservices.
Knowledge of data governance, data quality, and observability frameworks.
Background in migrating legacy data systems to modern, scalable architectures.
Deep understanding of database performance tuning: indexing, partitioning, and connection pooling.
Experience with government security compliance (STIG, ATO, FedRAMP).
Front-end experience with frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular is a plus but not required.
Soft Skills
Strong communication skills for technical documentation and cross-team collaboration.
Ability to balance technical debt with feature delivery in a pragmatic way.
Experience leading technical discussions and making architectural decisions.
Comfortable working in an Agile/Scrum environment.
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of professional software/data engineering experience.
3+ years in a senior or lead engineering role focused on data systems.
Active security clearance or ability to obtain one (required for DoD work).