Lead Bioinformatics Scientist - Sample to Answer

Labcorp is a global leader in laboratory services, providing insights and answers that help healthcare providers, patients, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and health systems make confident decisions and improve outcomes. Through unparalleled science, data, technology, and a laboratory network, we advance diagnostics, accelerate innovation, and address critical health challenges. This role offers the opportunity to do meaningful work, grow your career, and impact global health.

About the role

The Sample-to-Answer Center of Excellence (CoE) within LabCorp Information Technology manages diagnostic tests using advanced technologies like next-generation sequencing and microarrays. This position involves solving real-world data science and bioinformatics challenges, contributing to R&D, and accelerating production development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D scientists on developing new assays, measurement technologies, and tests for evaluating clinical conditions.
• Perform sophisticated analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic datasets using state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools and NGS pipelines.
• Conduct statistical and bioinformatics analyses of experimental data from clinical testing instruments such as DNA sequencers.
• Perform data mining over internally produced and publicly available datasets.
• Provide analysis information to management to aid in decision-making for new laboratory-developed tests.
• Develop statistical classifiers and decision trees integrating read support, flanking-read ratios, allele dropout indicators, and confidence intervals.
• Apply a wide range of bioinformatics algorithms and develop novel computational approaches.
• Investigate assay limitations at the molecular level and define boundaries of clinical reporting.
• Develop and optimize complex analysis pipelines based on deep knowledge of bioinformatics algorithms.
• Architect production-grade Nextflow pipelines for whole-genome sequencing, including caller selection, annotation strategy (AnnotSV, Nirvana), and QC threshold design.
• Lead bioinformatics proof-of-concept for sequencer transitions, including concordance analysis, metric comparison, GIAB benchmarking, and cost-benefit recommendations.
• Drive improvements in accuracy, cost of goods sold (COGS), and turnaround time across the pipeline portfolio.
• Establish quality control metrics and procedures to ensure data integrity across production pipelines.
• Guide result interpretation and reporting standards in collaboration with clinical and commercial stakeholders.
• Set QC thresholds for new sample metrics and make production-impacting recommendations.
• Produce innovative solutions driven by exploratory data analysis from complex and high-dimensional datasets.
• Apply knowledge of statistics, data modeling, data sciences, and artificial intelligence to recognize patterns and identify opportunities.
• Use a flexible, analytical approach to design, develop, and evaluate predictive models for single-gene non-invasive Fetal Screening (NIFS).
• Generate and test hypotheses from ideation through delivery.
• Provide guidance to junior team members, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, or computer science.
• 3 or more years of experience in biotechnology.
• 5 or more years of experience in programming languages in bioinformatics, such as Python, R, Perl, or Java.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience with high-throughput sequencing data and bioinformatics tools like BLAST, GATK, or Bowtie.
• 5 or more years of experience with Linux/Unix environments and high-performance computing (HPC) or cloud platforms.
• Demonstrated success in technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration, and independent thought.
• Evidence of relevant research expertise through presentations, software, technical publications, or knowledge of applications.
• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical learning.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

Pay

Pay Range: $120,000 - $150,000 (USD). All job offers are based on skills, prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, internal equity, and market data. The position is also eligible for an annual bonus under the Labcorp Bonus Plan, payable based on corporate, business segment, and individual performance.

Benefits

Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life, short-term disability (STD), and long-term disability (LTD) insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employees on a 7 on/7 off schedule receive all benefits except PTO or FTO. Employees scheduled for fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible for the 401(k) plan only.