Bioinformatics Data Technicians
Overview
Bioinformatics Data Technicians help scientists handle huge sets of biological data, such as DNA sequences and protein information. They use tools like Python or R, SQL databases, and specialized software (for example, BLAST or Ensembl) to organize, clean, analyze, and visualize molecular data so researchers can discover how genes work or how diseases develop. They also design and maintain databases, write scripts to automate tasks, test new analysis tools, and train other researchers to use these systems correctly and efficiently.
Did you know?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, biology, or computer science, along with proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, and SQL.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Service Orientation
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain awareness of new and emerging computational methods and technologies.
- Test new or updated software or tools and provide feedback to developers.
- Develop or apply data mining and machine learning algorithms.
- Create data management or error-checking procedures and user manuals.
- Develop or maintain applications that process biologically based data into searchable databases for purposes of analysis, calculation, or presentation.
- Conduct quality analyses of data inputs and resulting analyses or predictions.
- Analyze or manipulate bioinformatics data using software packages, statistical applications, or data mining techniques.
- Perform routine system administrative functions, such as troubleshooting, back-ups, or upgrades.
- Train bioinformatics staff or researchers in the use of databases.
- Document all database changes, modifications, or problems.
- Enter or retrieve information from structural databases, protein sequence motif databases, mutation databases, genomic databases or gene expression databases.
- Package bioinformatics data for submission to public repositories.
- Confer with database users about project timelines and changes.
- Confer with researchers, clinicians, or information technology staff to determine data needs and programming requirements and to provide assistance with database-related research activities.
- Participate in the preparation of reports or scientific publications.
- Monitor database performance and perform any necessary maintenance, upgrades, or repairs.
- Extend existing software programs, web-based interactive tools, or database queries as sequence management and analysis needs evolve.
- Design or implement web-based tools for querying large-scale biological databases.
- Write computer programs or scripts to be used in querying databases.
Career Considerations
Educational Requirements and Skill Development
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, biology, or computer science, along with proficiency in programming languages like Python, R, and SQL.
Strong Job Market Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects much faster than average growth for this field due to increasing demand for genomic research and personalized medicine applications.
Diverse Industry Opportunities
Career paths span pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, academic research institutions, and government agencies like the NIH and CDC.