Bioinformatics Scientists
Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.
Sample of reported job titles:
Bioinformaticist, Bioinformatics Scientist, Research Associate, Research Scientist, Scientific Database Curator, Scientist
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Recommend new systems and processes to improve operations.
- Keep abreast of new biochemistries, instrumentation, or software by reading scientific literature and attending professional conferences.
- Confer with departments, such as marketing, business development, or operations, to coordinate product development or improvement.
- Collaborate with software developers in the development and modification of commercial bioinformatics software.
- Test new and updated bioinformatics tools and software.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Accelrys Pipeline Pilot,Bioconductor,Biomatters Geneious,BioPerl,BLAT,Bowtie,BWA,Canu,ClustalW,Cufflinks,Cytel StatXact,Data visualization software,dbSNP,DNA sequencing software,ENSEMBL,GenBank,Genedata Expressionist,GenePattern,Genome Analysis Toolkit GATK,IBM SPSS Statistics,Illumina Laboratory Information Management System LIMS,Life Technologies SOLiD,Life Technologies Vector NTI,NCBI RefSeq,Primer3,Public genomic databases,RNA sequencing software,Roche 454 Life Sciences GS Data Analysis,SAS statistical software,StataCorp Stata,The MathWorks MATLAB,Tibco S-PLUS,TopHat,Velvet
- Application server software:GitHub
- Business intelligence and data analysis software:Tableau,TIBCO Spotfire S+
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software:Microsoft SharePoint
- Customer relationship management CRM software:Salesforce software
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Thinking Creatively:Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Processing Information:Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise others on business or operational matters.
- Advise others on the development or use of new technologies.
- Analyze biological samples.
- Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
- Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:100% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:88% responded"Every day"
- Freedom to Make Decisions:88% responded"A lot of freedom"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:87% responded"Every day"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:86% responded"A lot of freedom"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- Biology:Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Chemistry:Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 32%Post-Doctoral Training
- 16%Master's Degree
- 14%Doctoral Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Written Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Recognition:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Persistence:Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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