What Is a Bioinformatics Scientist?

Key takeaways

A bioinformatics scientist attempts to answer and solve biology-related questions and problems using technological research methods. 

• Bioinformatics scientists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $198,000, which includes both base salary and additional pay, such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation [1].

• As a bioinformatics scientist, you can expect to select appropriate analytical tools, analyze genomic data, build software and databases, run statistical tests, support and train teammates, communicate findings through reports and presentations, and engage in ongoing professional learning.

• You can develop the skills necessary for a career as a bioinformatics scientist by building strong scientific, data, programming, and machine learning skills, and using organizational, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills to solve problems and manage responsibilities effectively. 

Learn more about a future career in bioinformatics science, including what you'll do, what education and skills you'll need, what salary you could earn, what career path you might follow, and more. To gain in-demand skills in data analytics, enroll in the IBM Data Analytics with Excel and R Professional Certificate program. In as little as three months, you can master up-to-date practical skills and knowledge and learn how to prepare data, perform statistical analysis, and use R, R Studio, and Jupyter to perform predictive modeling.

What is a bioinformatics scientist?

A bioinformatics scientist attempts to answer and solve biology-related questions and problems using technological research methods. If your interests include biology, computer science, and information technology (IT), consider pursuing a career as a bioinformatics scientist. Blending all three disciplines, bioinformatics science plays a crucial role in important biological research.

Working with programming languages like Perl, PHP, and MySQL, a bioinformatics scientist develops tools for analyzing, managing, and storing data. This data might involve genomes (genetic instructions within cells), proteomes (sets of proteins expressed by genomes), or metabolomes (sets of small molecules within cells called metabolites).

Bioinformatics scientists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team. In this role, you might collaborate with other professionals like:

• Biostatisticians

• Biotechnologists

• Computer scientists

• Forensic scientists

• Marine biologists

• Microbiologists

• Plant biologists

• Wildlife biologists

What do bioinformatics scientists do?

A bioinformatics scientist collaborates with other professionals and uses computer skills and scientific knowledge to solve specific problems. Places where you can work as a bioinformatics scientist include colleges and universities, environmental agencies, genetics labs, technology firms, medical facilities, or the military. 

Bioinformatics scientist jobs: Tasks and responsibilities

To better understand the role of a bioinformatics scientist, it helps to learn more about the daily tasks and responsibilities you might encounter in this position. Common tasks associated with this position include:

• Choose computational approaches and analytical tools based on research goals.

• Create software and applications or modify them as needed to meet research goals.

• Create data models and develop and maintain databases.

• Perform genetics work such as genome examination and sequencing, gene isolation, gene transfer, and gene marker identification.

• Create algorithms to process genomic information.

• Perform statistical analyses.

• Provide expertise and support to research and development staff and other team members.

• Supervise or train assistants, technicians, and other IT employees.

• Create written reports for company heads, stakeholders, and professional conferences.

• Present research findings orally or through reports or scientific publications.

• Read academic literature and attend conferences.

• Advise team members about bioinformatics developments.

Bioinformatics scientist skills 

Having a career in bioinformatics science requires certain skills. These include technical skills, which help you perform job-related tasks, and workplace skills, which help you interact with others on the job.

Technical skills

As a bioinformatics scientist, you'll need various specific technical skills to perform your work. Examples of technical skills that might help you in this role include:

• Background in science and mathematics

• Data analysis 

• Database management 

• Statistical analysis 

• Familiarity with programming languages like C++, Java, Perl, Python, and R

• Knowledge of Linux and Unix systems

• Knowledge of machine learning

• Familiarity with presentation software like Microsoft PowerPoint

Workplace skills

As a bioinformatics scientist, you'll likely collaborate with a multidisciplinary team. You may also train or supervise others and communicate regularly with company heads and stakeholders. Workplace skills that can help you in these roles include:

• Ability to solve complex problems

• Ability to stay organized

• Ability to work well alone or as part of a team

• Attention to detail

• Leadership skills

• Oral and written communication skills

• Critical thinking skills

• Time management skills

Bioinformatics scientist salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, you can expect to earn a median annual salary of $198,000 as a bioinformatics scientist. This figure represents total pay, which includes both base salary and additional income, such as profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other forms of compensation [1]. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't offer specific job outlook information for employment in bioinformatics science. However, they expect jobs within the life, physical, and social sciences to grow faster than average in the decade spanning 2024 to 2034 when compared to other fields. This equates to an average of 144,700 job openings per year within this group [2].

Getting a position as a bioinformatics scientist often requires some experience working in a lower-level position. Examples of these positions might include research assistant, research associate, or bioinformatics technician. 

Learn more: Health Information Technology Salary

Bioinformatics scientist career path

Your career path after working in a bioinformatics scientist position can vary depending on your experience, job success, and interests. Possible career paths could look like this:

• Bioinformatics Scientist→Senior Bioinformatics Scientist→Research and Development Manager

• Bioinformatics Scientist→Senior Software Engineer→Chief Technology Officer

• Bioinformatics Scientist→Consultant→Project Manager

Can bioinformatics work as data scientists?

Yes, bioinformatics scientists can transition into a data science role. As a bioinformatics scientist, you are essentially learning how to apply data science techniques to biological and health-related topics, in addition to using statistical and medical skills. You can use skills you developed in bioinformatics, especially skills in programming and application development, to other areas of data science, such as finance or environmental science. However, it’s worth noting that if your specialty in bioinformatics is further away from traditional data science skills, you may need to spend time learning additional skills when making this transition.

How to become a bioinformatics scientist

Bioinformatics scientists benefit from specialized education and training. Read on to explore various degree choices and certifications.

College degree options

For a career in bioinformatics science, you'll need a bachelor's degree in a related field. Bachelor's degree fields you might choose from include:

• Biochemistry

• Biophysics

• Biostatistics

• Molecular biology

Although roughly 33.61 percent of bioinformatics scientists have bachelor's degrees, many people in the career have master's degrees (20.17 percent) or doctorates (46.22 percent) [3].

Professional certifications

Getting professional certifications can also help increase the knowledge and skills you need for a career as a bioinformatics scientist. Examples of certifications that might benefit you in the role include:

• Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

• Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

• Certified Clinical Data Manager (CCDM), offered by the Society for Clinical Data Management (SCDM)

Stay in the loop on data analytics trends

If you’re considering a career in the social sciences, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to stay current on industry-related topics. You can also explore these free resources and more to learn more about this exciting field.

• Hear from industry professionals: Meet the Data Analyst Using His Creativity to Tell Visual Stories

• Explore career tips: Data analysis: where to start and how to build this high-income skill

• Watch on YouTube: Is Data Analytics Really That Hard? Tips for Rising to the Challenge

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses.

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial