Bioinformatics Scientist

Bioinformatics Scientist

Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Transform complex biological data into valuable resources for groundbreaking AI models.
  • Company: Join Basecamp Research, a leader in innovative life sciences and AI.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, equity, private healthcare, and unique perks.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with growth opportunities and a focus on personal development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on therapeutic research with cutting-edge biological datasets.
  • Qualifications: Deep understanding of biological data and experience in sequence informatics required.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

About Us

Basecamp Research is dedicated to solving major challenges in the life sciences by exploring Beyond Known Biology.

Our teams build frontier AI models using Base Data, the world's largest ethically-sourced and globally representative biological dataset.

Our Global Research Team collects and curates our own biological data through partnerships with more than 152 organisations in 28 countries, giving its AI access to genetic diversity that doesn't exist for models trained on public database sources.

This enables Basecamp Research to design novel protein sequences and biological systems that can accelerate therapeutic research and development.

In October 2024 we closed Series B and in January 2026 finalised pre-Series C investment from NVIDIA.

With hubs both in London, UK as well as Boston, Massachusetts, USA and partners with biopharma companies and academic institutions worldwide, our work has been recognised with honours including Fast Company\'s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Biotech and the FT-backed Sifted AI100 list of Europe\'s leading AI startups.

At Basecamp Research, we pride ourselves on being a diverse, exciting, fun, and flexible place to work.

Our team of biologists, engineers, ML scientists, field explorers, and operations specialists are united by a sense of adventure and the belief that nature has already designed the solutions to our planet\'s greatest challenges - we just need to go out and discover them!

If you feel passionate about the power of biology, data, and AI to build a better world, we\'d love to hear from you.

The Role

We are looking for a Bioinformatics Scientist to join our Genomics team in London.

You will turn vast, heterogeneous, often downright strange biological data into annotated, trustworthy resources the rest of the company and our models can build on.

We are building biological datasets at a scale no reference database has approached.

Our flagship effort, the Trillion Gene Atlas, is one of the largest long-read sequencing efforts to date, targeting a trillion genes and a quadrillion assembled nucleotides.

The heart of this role is understanding the data itself.

Much of what we collect doesn\'t fit existing schemas or tools, so the job is not to just run a standard toolchain but to develop new methods that label and mine biology no one has characterised before.

Because you understand both the biology and what the models need downstream, you know what the data has to become, not just correct but machine-readable and model-ready.

  • What you\'ll do
  • Analyse diverse, messy biological datatypes, primarily microbiomes from a wide range of sample types, spanning both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bringing the biological judgment to know when an annotation is a real signal versus an artefact.
  • Develop new methods and tools to label and mine this data.
  • Design approaches for biology that doesn\'t fit standard schemas, curate the data to be model-ready, and benchmark honestly to tell real improvement from noise.
  • Prototype methods and validate on real, messy data at scale.

Own light orchestration to prove or disprove an approach, then hand off to dedicated teams who take it to full production scale.

  • Reach for newer ML methods where they are the right tool for annotation, labelling, or mining, and fold them into your approach cleanly.
  • Keep the data trustworthy. Provenance, edge cases, and data integrity are part of the craft, not an afterthought.
  • Help build outward-facing tools where the opportunity arises.

For example, a predictive "oracle" that helps our field teams target regions of the planet where undiscovered biodiversity is most likely to be found, turning curated data back into smarter sampling and discovery.

About You

  • You have a deep understanding of biological data and a strong core in sequence informatics (alignment, annotation, sequence analysis), with the judgment to know when standard tools are misleading or not right for the job.

When a tool or method doesn\'t exist, your instinct is to build one - and the tools and methods you\'ve built have been applied to real data at scale.

  • You\'ve curated data that went on to train real models or feed large-scale analyses.

You\'re a capable enough engineer to make your methods real, but you treat engineering as the means, not the mission.

  • You like to move fast, to ship, learn, and iterate at pace, without cutting corners on rigour.
  • You are excited by the scale of the biology: genetic diversity that exists in no public database, and the chance to invent the methods that make it usable for the first time.
  • You'll likely have a Ph D in a relevant field, an MSc with 1-3 years of relevant experience, or a BSc with 3 or more.
  • Low ego, collaborative instincts, and a startup mentality.

You\'re comfortable with ambiguity and happy to wear multiple hats in a team where everyone contributes towards the company\'s success.

  • Nice to Have
  • Experience building or fine-tuning ML models.
  • Experience building production components and integrating with a workflow orchestrator such as Dagster or Nextflow.
  • Experience with microbiomes, and especially with trickier components like viruses/phage or lower eukaryotes.
  • Experience authoring or contributing to widely used bioinformatics tools.
  • Experience with compiled programming languages (e. g. C++, Rust, Golang).

What we offer in return

  • Impactful

Mission: This is a rare chance to do work that genuinely matters.

You\'ll join a talented, fast-moving team, access unique biological datasets at scale, and see your contributions shape real breakthroughs in AI and curative therapeutics.

  • Collaborative

Culture: You\'ll be surrounded by world-class engineers, scientists, and researchers who care deeply about their work and about each other.

With offices in London and Boston, we\'ve built a flexible, cross-functional environment where personal development and real ownership aren\'t just talking points.

  • High

Growth: We truly believe in investing in our people.

We make coaching available to team members during steep growth journeys and we have twice-yearly promotion opportunities.

People who are really successful here own it and go directly to solve problems at pace, and we ensure reward increases with impact.

  • Comprehensive

Benefits: We\'ve built a benefits package people value.

That means competitive salary, equity, and private healthcare with no medical history exclusions - so strong that most employees\' family members opt into our plan over their own.

We also offer Carrot Fertility with IVF stipend, salary sacrifice pension, bike-to-work scheme, life insurance, and more.

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Bioinformatics Scientist employer: Basecamp Research

Basecamp Research is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of life sciences and AI in a collaborative and flexible environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, including coaching and promotion opportunities, our diverse team thrives on innovation and adventure, making meaningful contributions to global biodiversity efforts. Located in vibrant hubs like London, we provide comprehensive benefits that reflect our dedication to the well-being of our employees and their families.

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Contact Details:

Basecamp Research Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Bioinformatics Scientist

✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities

Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!

✨Leverage University Alumni Networks

If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Basecamp Research. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!

✨Show Off Your Projects

Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!

✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Basecamp Research!

We think you need these skills to ace Bioinformatics Scientist

Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Compassion
Flexibility
Teamwork
Organizational Skills
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Basecamp Research that you have the hands-on skills they need.

Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Basecamp Research.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Basecamp Research does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.

Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.

How to prepare for a job interview at Basecamp Research

✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques

Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Basecamp Research. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.

✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools

Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.

✨Show Your Teamwork Skills

Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Basecamp Research's culture.

✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations

Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Basecamp Research. This shows your passion for the industry!