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Microbial Bioinformatics Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Senior Bioinformatics Engineer Compensation: $125K - $200K base + 0.25% - 0.5% equity stock options ... microbial sequence & clinical metadata * Statistical Analysis - Lead design, execution ...

Job Summary The Staff Scientist will conduct original research modeling immune-microbe interactions ... D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a closely related quantitative ...

An understanding of yeast and/or microbial molecular genetics, cell biology and physiology. * A ... Ability to use bioinformatics and sequence analysis tools (familiarity with Python or R is ...

Microbial Bioinformatics information

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in microbial bioinformatics, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in microbial bioinformatics often encounter challenges such as handling large, complex datasets, ensuring data quality, and keeping up with rapidly evolving bioinformatics tools and technologies. Collaborating closely with wet-lab scientists and other bioinformaticians is crucial to accurately interpret results and tailor analyses to specific research questions. Staying up to date through continued education and active participation in bioinformatics communities can help address these challenges and support career growth in this dynamic field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a microbial bioinformatician?

To thrive as a Microbial Bioinformatician, you need a solid background in microbiology, genomics, and computational biology, typically supported by an advanced degree in bioinformatics, microbiology, or a related field. Proficiency with programming languages (such as Python, R), bioinformatics tools (like QIIME, BLAST, or MEGA), and familiarity with high-throughput sequencing data analysis are essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you interpret complex data and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure accurate data analysis, meaningful biological insights, and successful project outcomes in microbial research.

What is the difference between Microbial Bioinformatics vs Microbial Genomics?

AspectMicrobial BioinformaticsMicrobial Genomics
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Bioinformatics, Biology, or related fields; proficiency in programmingBachelor's or Master's in Genomics, Molecular Biology, or related fields; laboratory experience
Work EnvironmentData analysis, computational labs, research institutionsLaboratories, research institutions, sequencing centers
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech, academia, healthcare, research institutesGenomics companies, biotech, academic research

Microbial Bioinformatics focuses on analyzing microbial genetic data using computational tools, while Microbial Genomics involves sequencing and studying microbial genomes in laboratory settings. Both roles often overlap but differ mainly in their emphasis on data analysis versus laboratory work.

What is microbial bioinformatics?

Microbial bioinformatics is a scientific field that combines biology, computer science, and statistics to analyze and interpret the genetic information of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Specialists in microbial bioinformatics use computational tools to study microbial genomes, understand microbial diversity, and track the spread of pathogens. This field plays a vital role in medical research, public health, biotechnology, and environmental studies by enabling researchers to make sense of large-scale microbial data. It helps in identifying new species, understanding antibiotic resistance, and developing new diagnostics and treatments.
What are popular job titles related to Microbial Bioinformatics jobs in Illinois? For Microbial Bioinformatics jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Microbial Bioinformatics jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Microbial Bioinformatics job openings:
Infographic showing various Microbial Bioinformatics job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Bioinformatics Engineer

BiomeSense

Chicago, IL • On-site

$125K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

Senior Bioinformatics Engineer
Compensation: $125K – $200K base +  0.25% - 0.5% equity stock options
About BiomeSense
BiomeSense is a life sciences startup applying gut microbiome (GMB) technologies (GutLab, MetaBiome) to advance personalized medicine. We partner with UCSF, UCSD, NIH & the University of Chicago & are backed by LabCorp Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, Seerave Foundation & Emil Capital Partners.
Position
Help build our MetaBiome platform, a software solution for collecting, curating & analyzing longitudinal GMB & health data at scale. Own the infra, pipelines & analytical workflows that turn raw sequencing data into intelligence, with room to grow into a platform leader.
Responsibilities:
  • Bioinformatics Architecture & Infrastructure - design, implement & maintain auditable backend for GMB data from raw shotgun metagenomic sequencing
  • Data Engineering build & maintain cloud infra: databases, distributed computing workflows & REST endpoints for microbial sequence & clinical metadata
  • Statistical Analysis – Lead design, execution & documentation of reproducible computational experiments end-to-end
  • Methods Development Develop & implement novel analytical methodologies & algorithms informed by experimental findings & validated via rigorous evaluation
  • Frontend / Backend Development Design & implement robust data ingestion interfaces leveraging APIs & clinical ontologies, following best practices

Qualifications
Required
  • B.S. /M.S. /PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics or a related field with 3+ yrs industry experience (biotech start-up ideal)
  • Proficiency in Python & JavaScript & experience in production-quality software
  • PostgreSQL or other relational SQL database proficiency
  • Familiarity with clinical ontologies (SNOMED, ICD-11, ATC, LOINC)
  • Familiarity with AWS & best practices in computer security
  • Proficiency with modern frontend web technologies
  • Excellent communication; translates complex scientific concepts to diverse stakeholders
  • Strong ownership mindset & the ability to execute in fast-moving environments
  • Expertise in bioinformatics pipelines, QC & reproducibility

Preferred
  • NGS data experience
  • Familiarity with longitudinal / repeated-measures biological datasets & GMB-specific challenges (compositional data, variability, confounders)
  • Experience integrating ontologies / standardized vocabularies
  • Exposure to cloud infrastructure, workflow orchestration or containerization
  • Interest in AI/ML for large biological datasets

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