Principal Bioinformatician

What becomes possible when epigenetics, fragmentomics, and machine learning converge on a brand-new diagnostic platform? Tagomics is a Cambridge-based biotechnology company developing a next-generation multi-omic biomarker discovery platform to transform how disease and drug safety are understood, measured, and monitored.

Originating from pioneering research by Dr Robert Neely and colleagues at the University of Birmingham, our proprietary technology integrates genetic, epigenetic, and fragmentomic features from circulating cell-free DNA. Combined with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning, this enables biological insight across applications including early cancer detection, drug safety, and organ health monitoring.

With successful proof-of-concept programmes and new funding secured, we are now focused on building towards our first commercial products. To achieve this, we are expanding our multidisciplinary team at Babraham Research Campus, one of Europe's leading life-science hubs.

The Role: This is the hands-on senior scientific position within our Computational Technology team, reporting to the Director of Computational Technology. You will help set the bioinformatics strategy, lead the analytical programmes that drive our biomarker discovery platform, and translate computational insights into clinically relevant outputs.

It's a role for someone who combines strong technical expertise in NGS and epigenetic analysis with the scientific judgement to shape R&D direction and the communication skills to bring laboratory scientists, engineers, and external partners along with them. You will line manage a small team of bioinformaticians, contribute to study design and experimental strategy, and play a meaningful role in how the science evolves as we move towards commercial launch.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading bioinformatic analysis of NGS datasets, ensuring robustness, scalability, and reproducibility across all workflows.
• Helping to set the bioinformatics strategy for the platform, defining the analytical direction across programmes.
• Developing and optimising methods for epigenetic profiling and biomarker discovery, including integration of multi-omic data.
• Providing technical leadership across R&D programmes: study design, analytical strategy, interpretation of results.
• Applying machine learning and advanced computational approaches to epigenetic and multi-omic datasets.
• Collaborating closely with laboratory scientists and engineers to define requirements and shape experimental direction.
• Line managing and mentoring a team of 2-3 bioinformaticians, building capability across the team.
• Contributing to scientific publications and conference abstracts, IP development, and, where relevant, presenting findings to external partners.

What We're Looking For:

Essential:

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, epigenetics, genetics, or a related discipline.
• At least 6 years of industry or equivalent academic experience in bioinformatics.
• Proven expertise in NGS data analysis (WGS, RNA-seq, exome) including QC and interpretation.
• Experience with epigenetic datasets such as ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, WGBS, MeDIP-seq or similar.
• Proficient in data analysis using Python and/or R, with high coding standards.
• A track record of delivering in cross-functional scientific teams.
• Demonstrated line management experience, with a track record of developing and supporting other scientists.

Desirable:

• Domain expertise in epigenetics or cancer genomics, with peer-reviewed publications.
• Familiarity with machine learning applied to biological data.
• Cloud computing experience, preferably AWS.
• Experience in biomarker discovery and/or product development.
• Previous experience in early-stage biotech environments.

Our Hiring Process:

• Online screening call - a conversation about your experience, goals, and questions about the role.
• Online technical interview - technical questions and a short presentation on a take-home bioinformatics challenge with members of the technical team.
• In-person team interview - meet with leadership and your future colleagues.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Share option scheme.
• Matched pension contributions up to 8%.
• Private healthcare.
• Performance-related bonus scheme.
• Flexible hybrid working (minimum 2 days per week on-site).

We're based at Babraham Research Campus, one of Europe's leading life-science hubs, with modern accessible offices, on-site parking, a gym, restaurant, and countryside on the doorstep. Joining at this stage means genuine scientific influence over analytical strategy, platform direction, and a company with something real to build.

We are not currently able to sponsor visas for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Tagomics is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.