Bioinformatics Lead Scientist

Flomics is a fast-growing biotech company founded in 2018 in Barcelona. We are developing a revolutionary liquid biopsy test for the early detection of cancer, based on the analysis of cell-free RNA in blood. By combining cutting-edge genomics with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning, we’re identifying novel biomarker signatures that can transform diagnostics. Our goal: make cancer detection simple, scalable – and possible from just a single blood sample.Beyond scientific innovation, we are an international and multidisciplinary team driven by collaboration, continuous learning, and the ambition to improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.We are looking for a Bioinformatics Lead Scientist in Portugal to actively participate in the development of our bioinformatics R&D efforts, with the goal of advancing early diagnosis and screening of complex diseases such as cancer. You will be a cornerstone in scaling our technology from research to product, ensuring robustness, reproducibility, and clinical readiness of our bioinformatics solutions, while reporting directly to Flomics’ Head of Bioinformatics.Your responsibilitiesDrive the bioinformatics strategy within Flomics, ensuring high-quality, scalable, and reproducible data analysis workflows.Lead a small team of senior bioinformaticians, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.Apply advanced machine learning and statistical approaches to identify novel biomarker signatures from large-scale datasets.Develop and validate NGS workflows (RNA-seq and beyond), using modern workflow management systems.Assist in the development of software and custom scripts to automate data input, data retrieval, manipulation, and analysis.Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to translate research findings into clinically relevant tools.Contribute to the preparation of patents, scientific publications, and regulatory submissions.What we are looking forPhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, or a related field; 5+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience in bioinformatics, including coordinating teams and/or mentoring students.Proven track record in NGS data analysis (especially RNA-seq).Proficiency in Python and R.Experience with workflow management systems (Nextflow is a plus).Solid background in genomics, biostatistics and machine learning.Familiarity with Linux environments.A strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.Strong communication skills, both oral and written.Ability to mentor others, and a proactive, hands-on attitude.Availability to travel occasionally to Barcelona for team meetings or company events.Nice to haveExperience with cloud infrastructures (AWS is a plus).Experience in deep learning and advanced ML methods.Hands-on experience in Nextflow development.Solid experience in software development and engineering best practices.What we offerPlay a key part in shaping the future of cancer diagnostics in a fast-growing biotech with global ambition.Direct collaboration with founders and leadership, with autonomy in decision-making.Full-time remote position for candidates based in Portugal, with a flexible schedule. Occasional in-person meetings may be required.Permanent contract and a competitive compensation package (base salary + variable), aligned with your experience and contributions.23 days of vacation + 3 company-defined days.Opportunities to expand your leadership skills, contribute to publications, and shape innovations with real-world clinical impact.How to applyIf you are excited about shaping the future of early cancer detection and want to play a key role in scaling a biotech startup, we’d love to hear from you