Sr Staff Bioinformatics Scientist in Cambridge

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realise health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life‐changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world‐changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Help turn cancer genomes into clinical answers. At Illumina, our work has the power to change lives. By unlocking the information in the genome, we enable clinicians and researchers to move faster, see deeper, and make better decisions for patients. We are looking for a Senior Staff Bioinformatics Scientist to join our Clinical Translational Research team — a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of cutting‐edge science, real‐world clinical impact, and collaborative innovation. You will play a pivotal role in advancing the adoption of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in oncology, helping to translate complex cancer genomes into actionable insights for clinical practice.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and deliver expert bioinformatics analysis of tumour whole genome sequencing data, improving quality, success rates, and clinical relevance in partnership with internal teams and external collaborators.
• Collaborate with customers, academic partners, and key opinion leaders to analyse cancer genomics data and accelerate adoption of emerging Illumina technologies.
• Provide subject‐matter expertise to inform and improve Illumina's bioinformatics pipelines, interpretation software, and end‐to‐end oncology workflows.
• Evaluate and integrate novel tools and algorithms, translating scientific innovation into software prototypes with real clinical value.
• Contribute to scientific collaborations, publications, and thought leadership in cancer genomics.

You’ll work with a high degree of initiative, ownership, and trust, while being deeply connected to a network of world‐class scientists, clinicians, and product teams.

Who you are:

You are a curious, collaborative, and impact‐driven scientist who enjoys solving complex problems and sharing knowledge. You’re comfortable operating in fast‐moving environments and presenting sophisticated ideas to diverse audiences.

You bring:

• A PhD in cancer genomics with significant postdoctoral or industry experience, or a Master’s degree with extensive relevant experience and a strong publication record.
• Deep expertise in cancer whole genome sequencing, including QC, variant calling, bioinformatics analysis, and clinical interpretation (essential).
• Experience with cohort analysis and cancer biomarker discovery (desirable).
• Strong programming and computational skills: R and/or Python, Unix/Linux, git, HPC environments (essential).
• Familiarity with Illumina DRAGEN pipelines and interpretation tools (desirable).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage clinicians, academics, and industry stakeholders alike.
• The drive to succeed in a fast‐paced, innovative, and competitive environment.

Why Illumina:

At Illumina, we believe innovation happens when diverse perspectives come together, when curiosity is encouraged, and when people feel empowered to do their best work. We are committed to:

• Innovating with purpose with real patient impact.
• Making our customers heroes across disciplines, cultures, and geographies.
• Integrity, inclusion, and respect in everything we do.
• Creating an environment where talented people can grow, lead, and belong.

If you’re excited by the idea of shaping the future of clinical cancer genomics — and doing it alongside people who care deeply about science, patients, and each other — we’d love to hear from you.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritised openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero‐net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information.