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Principal Bioinformatics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Principal Bioinformatics Scientist to lead the bioinformatics strategy, design, and development of next-generation minimal residual disease (MRD ...

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Principal Bioinformatician

San Diego, CA · On-site

$129K - $216K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and highly experienced Principal Scientist in Bioinformatics to lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced PCR-based multiplex assays using cutting-edge ...

We are seeking an innovative and highly experienced Principal Scientist in Bioinformatics to lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced PCR-based multiplex assays using cutting-edge ...

Principal Bioinformatician

San Diego, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an innovative and highly experienced Principal Scientist in Bioinformatics to lead the design, development, and optimization of advanced PCR-based multiplex assays using cutting‑edge ...

Legend Biotech is seeking a Principal Bioinformatician as part of the Early Drug Development team ... Build and maintain reproducible and scalable bioinformatics pipelines using cloud or high ...

Bioinformatics Scientist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Reporting to the Bioinformatics Senior Principal Investigator, the Bioinformatics Scientist will focus on complex experimental and clinical bioinformatics data sets. Responsibilities: * Successfully ...

Bioinformatics Scientist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Reporting to the Bioinformatics Senior Principal Investigator, the Bioinformatics Scientist will focus on complex experimental and clinical bioinformatics data sets. Responsibilities: * Successfully ...

$100 - $125/hr

Reporting to the Bioinformatics Senior Principal Investigator, the Bioinformatics Scientist will focus on complex experimental and clinical bioinformatics data sets. Responsibilities * Successfully ...

Bioinformatics Scientist

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Reporting to the Bioinformatics Senior Principal Investigator, the Bioinformatics Scientist will focus on complex experimental and clinical bioinformatics data sets. Responsibilities * Successfully ...

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How much do principal bioinformatics jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal bioinformatics in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal bioinformatics?

Principal Bioinformaticians are senior-level professionals who lead research, development, and analysis of complex biological data using computational tools and techniques. They often oversee bioinformatics teams, design large-scale data analysis projects, and collaborate with scientists to interpret genomic and molecular data. Their work supports advancements in fields such as genomics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine. In addition to technical expertise, they provide strategic direction and mentorship within their organizations.

What are the typical responsibilities of a principal bioinformatics?

A Principal Bioinformatics professional often leads complex data analysis projects, oversees the development and implementation of computational pipelines, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams such as biologists, clinicians, and software engineers. They are responsible for guiding junior team members, ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of results, and translating biological questions into computational solutions. Additionally, they contribute to strategic decision-making, publish research findings, and may play a key role in securing research funding.

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

To thrive as a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist, you need advanced expertise in computational biology, genomics, and data analysis, typically supported by a PhD in bioinformatics, biology, or a related field. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, experience with high-throughput sequencing data, and familiarity with bioinformatics databases and cloud computing platforms are vital. Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you manage teams and collaborate on multidisciplinary projects. These abilities are crucial for driving scientific innovation, ensuring accurate data interpretation, and leading successful research initiatives.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Bioinformatics jobs?

For Principal Bioinformatics jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Bioinformatics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Contract, 11% Nights, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Principal Bioinformatics Scientist

San Diego, CA • On-site

Veracyte
Biotechnology Research and Development • 501 - 1,000 employees

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead bioinformatics strategy for MRD assay design, development, optimization, and lifecycle management for LDTs.

  • Design, develop, validate, and maintain scalable bioinformatics pipelines for MRD analysis, including QC, variant calling, and reporting.

  • Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure bioinformatics solutions align with assay design, regulatory standards, and operational needs.


Job description

At Veracyte, we offer exciting career opportunities for those interested in joining a pioneering team that is committed to transforming cancer care for patients across the globe. Working at Veracyte enables our employees to not only make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, but to also learn and grow within a purpose driven environment. This is what we call the Veracyte way - it's about how we work together, guided by our values, to give clinicians the insights they need to help patients make life-changing decisions.
Our Values:
  • We Seek A Better Way: We pursue bold ideas, embrace complexity, and keep pushing forward.
  • We Make It Happen: We act with urgency, deliver with excellence, and always find a way.
  • We Are Stronger Together: We engage with empathy, align around what's best for Veracyte, and celebrate as one team.
  • We Care Deeply: We show up with integrity, kindness, and respect for one another.

Job Description:
We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Principal Bioinformatics Scientist to lead the bioinformatics strategy, design, and development of next-generation minimal residual disease (MRD) laboratory-developed tests (LDTs). This role is a senior technical leadership position responsible for shaping assay concepts, driving analytical development and validation, and partnering closely with wet-lab, clinical, quality, regulatory, and software teams to deliver robust, clinically actionable MRD diagnostics for multiple indications.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in NGS-based oncology assays, strong understanding of ctDNA biology and a proven track record of industry assay development under design control. This individual will serve as a scientific and technical leader, owning assay bioinformatics from concept through analytical validation and launch.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Scientific & Technical Leadership
  • Lead bioinformatics strategy for MRD assay design, development, optimization, and lifecycle management for LDTs developed under CAP/CLIA quality systems.
  • Serve as the bioinformatics owner, driving study design, data analysis, performance characterization, and decision-making throughout development.
  • Apply deep domain knowledge in cancer genomics, ctDNA biology, and NGS technologies to inform assay architecture, variant detection strategies, and error suppression approaches.

Assay Development & Validation
  • Design and execute analytical studies to evaluate assay performance, including accuracy, limit of detection, and reproducibility, in collaboration with wet-lab and biostatistics partners.
  • Develop, validate, and maintain scalable, production-ready bioinformatics pipelines for MRD analysis, including QC, variant calling, MRD calling logic, and reporting.
  • Lead benchmarking and optimization of computational methods, including background error modeling, and longitudinal MRD tracking.
  • Ensure compliance with standards (CAP/CLIA, FDA, IVDR) throughout the bioinformatics development lifecycle, including rigorous testing and documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with molecular biology, assay development, QA/RA, clinical, and software engineering teams to ensure bioinformatics solutions are aligned with assay design, regulatory expectations, and operational constraints.
  • Facilitate successful production pipeline deployment by working closely with infrastructure and engineering teams
  • Contribute to regulatory submissions and audits by providing technical documentation and validation report, and responses to audits or regulatory inquiries.

Mentorship & Influence
  • Mentor junior scientists by providing technical and scientific guidance, helping raise the overall bar of assay development rigor and execution.
  • Communicate complex analytical concepts and results clearly to both computational and non-computational stakeholders, including senior leadership.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:
  • Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Biostatistics, or a closely related quantitative field.
  • Minimum 8 years of total relevant experience, with at least 5 years of direct industry experience in biotech, diagnostics, or regulated healthcare environments.
  • Demonstrated experience leading NGS-based assay development for clinical diagnostics. Hands-on experience with ctDNA-based MRD assays, including personalized or tumor-informed approaches.
  • Strong programming skills in Python, with experience developing reproducible, production-grade analysis pipelines, including experience with SDLC best practices.
  • Proven experience working in design-controlled, regulated environments (CAP/CLIA LDT, IVD, or equivalent).
  • Proficiency in development of novel bioinformatics methodologies, and algorithms development, including benchmarking of computational methods.
  • Track record of working with wet lab scientists on iterative experiment design, execution, analysis, and interpretation as a tightly integrated team.
  • Demonstrated record of technical and scientific leadership, ownership, and independent work.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • 1-2 years management experience preferred
  • Experience developing and deploying bioinformatics workflows in AWS (e.g., EC2, S3, Step Functions, Batch, Lambda, etc.).
  • Strong understanding of germline and somatic mutation processes leading to complex variation and genome-wide biomarkers with potential clinical utility.
  • Working knowledge of R.
  • Experience with relational and non-relational database technologies is a plus.

For candidates based in our San Diego office, the range is $184,000 - $204,000.
For candidates based in our South San Francisco office, the range is $190,000- $210,000.
#LI-Hybrid
The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to years of experience, skillset, geographic location, industry, education, etc. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Pay range
$184,000-$210,000 USD
What We Can Offer You
Veracyte is a growing company that offers significant career opportunities if you are curious, driven, patient-oriented and aspire to help us build a great company. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, and are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce, where diverse backgrounds are represented, engaged, and empowered to drive innovative ideas and decisions. We are thrilled to be recognized as a 2024 Certified™ Great Place to Work® in both the US and Israel - a testament to our dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring workplace where passion meets purpose.
About Veracyte
Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global diagnostics company whose vision is to transform cancer care for patients all over the world. We empower clinicians with the high-value insights they need to guide and assure patients at pivotal moments in the race to diagnose and treat cancer. Our Veracyte Diagnostics Platform delivers high-performing cancer tests that are fueled by broad genomic and clinical data, deep bioinformatic and AI capabilities, and a powerful evidence-generation engine, which ultimately drives durable reimbursement and guideline inclusion for our tests, along with new insights to support continued innovation and pipeline development. For more information, please visit www.veracyte.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).
Veracyte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Veracyte participates in E-Verify in the United States. View our CCPA Disclosure Notice
If you receive any suspicious alerts or communications through LinkedIn or other online job sites for any position at Veracyte, please exercise caution and promptly report any concerns to careers@veracyte.com