H-1B Visa Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist roles sit firmly within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a closely related field. Employers filing LCAs for this SOC code must meet DOL prevailing wage requirements, and many biotech and pharma sponsors have established H-1B filing histories you can verify before applying.
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Zymo Research is seeking a Bioinformatics Scientist to join the Epigenetics Technology team and lead computational development for epigenomics and molecular assay research. The scientist will curate datasets, discover and evaluate candidate methylation biomarkers, develop statistical models, and build reproducible analysis pipelines in close collaboration with experimental scientists.
This role combines epigenomics, statistical modeling, and software development. The scientist will guide computational strategy, define analytical performance criteria, and support targeted assay development, independent validation, and transfer into scalable research products.
Join us in making a meaningful impact!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Own the computational roadmap for assigned research and assay development projects, defining deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, data needs, and technical risks. Coordinate priorities and dependencies with experimental scientists and support bioinformatics teams.
- Curate public and internal epigenomic datasets (methylation, hydroxymethylation). Document sample provenance, quality, relevant metadata, assay platform, genome build, and usage permissions; maintain versioned datasets with clear inclusion and quality criteria.
- Discover and prioritize candidate molecular markers and differentially methylated regions. Evaluate specificity, biological variability, common sequence variants, repetitive regions, assay compatibility, and stability across relevant sample and biological conditions.
- Develop and benchmark statistical models for molecular profiling and epigenetic biomarker analysis. Evaluate feature selection, model assumptions, uncertainty and performance supported by the available data.
- Contribute to other projects requiring relevant scientific and technical expertise.
Pipeline Development and Validation
- Build reproducible pipelines for methylation sequencing and relevant reference array datasets, covering quality control, alignment, methylation quantification, filtering, annotation, and reporting. Evaluate conversion efficiency, mapping ambiguity, duplicates, coverage, and batch effects using controls appropriate to each assay.
- Co-design targeted methylation panels with the assay team. Perform in silico assessment of primers, probes, and hybridization capture baits for sequence specificity, common variants, conversion-related sequence changes, and cross-hybridization; use empirical enrichment and coverage data to refine panel design.
- Benchmark analytical methods using reference standards, simulations, and independent sample sets. Separate model development, marker selection, and validation by biological source; assess bias, error, agreement, reproducibility, and robustness.
- Assess robustness to sequencing depth, missing data, DNA input, dataset selection, platform differences, batch effects, and relevant biological variation. Use validated harmonization approaches and prevent information leakage across development and validation datasets.
- Define quantitative reporting metrics, calibration approaches, quality thresholds, and validated reporting ranges. Document uncertainty, investigate unexpected results, and communicate analytical limitations.
- Implement automated quality checks, failure flags, versioned reports, and traceable software releases. Use code review, tests, workflow automation, and documented environments to support reproducibility and technical transfer; communicate model limitations clearly to scientific and product teams.
Additional Responsibilities
- Provide technical guidance and code review for collaborating scientists and junior bioinformatics staff. Maintain clear analysis documentation, contribute to publications and invention disclosures, and support product and customer-facing technical discussions as needed for relevant projects.
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, genomics, or a related discipline, with demonstrated independent ownership of substantial computational research or product development projects.
- Strong experience analyzing DNA (hydroxy)methylation or epigenomic data, including sequencing-based quantification, quality control, and biological interpretation.
- Experience with statistical modeling, biomarker discovery, or closely related quantitative methods, including rigorous study design, feature selection, and independent model validation.
Required Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Python and R, Linux or Unix, statistical analysis, and scientific visualization. Experience building maintainable analysis code with version control, automated tests, and documented workflows.
- Experience processing Illumina sequencing data, managing large genomic datasets, and developing scalable workflows using high-performance or cloud computing environments.
- Experience with epigenomic biomarker discovery, dataset curation, method benchmarking, or statistical model optimization.
- Strong communication skills and evidence of original scientific contributions through publications/posters, validated analytical methods, or deployed analysis tools (e.g. GitHub). Ability to explain uncertainty and analytical tradeoffs to multidisciplinary collaborators.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with targeted methylation sequencing, hybridization capture panel design, multiplex primer or probe design, or analysis of methylation-sensitive qPCR or digital PCR data.
- Experience analyzing DNA variants/SNPs using NGS data and appropriate quality control and validation methods.
- Experience comparing molecular assay results with independent measurements and assessing analytical agreement, bias, and reproducibility.
- Experience with cross-platform methylation analysis (Nanopore/PacBio), low-input assays, uncertainty estimation, workflow engines, or transfer of analytical methods into supported research products.
About us:
Since its inception in 1994, Zymo Research has been proudly serving the scientific community by providing innovative, reliable, and high-quality research tools and products. Whether it's DNA, RNA, epigenetics, microbiomics, protein, or yeast-based research, our philosophy remains the same: To provide the highest quality products in the industry while ensuring they are both simple to use and reliable in their performance.
Recognized as a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register in 2021, 2022, and named a Top Workplace USA in 2023, Zymo Research continues to be a vibrant community where employees thrive, feel connected, and are inspired by their work. If you are passionate about contributing to scientific advancement and want to be part of an exceptional team in a dynamic, growing company, we'd love to hear from you!
Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:
The estimated base compensation range for this position is $85,000-115,000 per annum at the time of posting. Actual compensation details will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.
Zymo Research also offers competitive benefits and perks including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverages
- EAP Sessions
- Vacation Time plus Company Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave
- Generous 401(K) with matching
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages
- Complimentary catered lunches on Thursdays
- Complimentary EV Charging
- Cell phone stipend
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:
Zymo Research welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. These include sex, age, color, race, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical & mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local law.
Location:
Onsite – Zymo Research HQ - 17062 Murphy Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
Disclaimer:
At Zymo, we take the integrity of our hiring process seriously. Please be aware of fraudulent recruitment activities that may use our name to deceive job seekers. We will never ask for payment, sensitive personal information, or financial details during the recruitment process. All legitimate communications will come from an official Zymo or TriNet Hiring email address. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent us using a free email service (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or asking for payment, please treat this as fraudulent and report it immediately to careers@zymoresearch.com.
Job Summary:
Zymo Research is seeking a Bioinformatics Scientist to join the Epigenetics Technology team and lead computational development for epigenomics and molecular assay research. The scientist will curate datasets, discover and evaluate candidate methylation biomarkers, develop statistical models, and build reproducible analysis pipelines in close collaboration with experimental scientists.
This role combines epigenomics, statistical modeling, and software development. The scientist will guide computational strategy, define analytical performance criteria, and support targeted assay development, independent validation, and transfer into scalable research products.
Join us in making a meaningful impact!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Own the computational roadmap for assigned research and assay development projects, defining deliverables, milestones, acceptance criteria, data needs, and technical risks. Coordinate priorities and dependencies with experimental scientists and support bioinformatics teams.
- Curate public and internal epigenomic datasets (methylation, hydroxymethylation). Document sample provenance, quality, relevant metadata, assay platform, genome build, and usage permissions; maintain versioned datasets with clear inclusion and quality criteria.
- Discover and prioritize candidate molecular markers and differentially methylated regions. Evaluate specificity, biological variability, common sequence variants, repetitive regions, assay compatibility, and stability across relevant sample and biological conditions.
- Develop and benchmark statistical models for molecular profiling and epigenetic biomarker analysis. Evaluate feature selection, model assumptions, uncertainty and performance supported by the available data.
- Contribute to other projects requiring relevant scientific and technical expertise.
Pipeline Development and Validation
- Build reproducible pipelines for methylation sequencing and relevant reference array datasets, covering quality control, alignment, methylation quantification, filtering, annotation, and reporting. Evaluate conversion efficiency, mapping ambiguity, duplicates, coverage, and batch effects using controls appropriate to each assay.
- Co-design targeted methylation panels with the assay team. Perform in silico assessment of primers, probes, and hybridization capture baits for sequence specificity, common variants, conversion-related sequence changes, and cross-hybridization; use empirical enrichment and coverage data to refine panel design.
- Benchmark analytical methods using reference standards, simulations, and independent sample sets. Separate model development, marker selection, and validation by biological source; assess bias, error, agreement, reproducibility, and robustness.
- Assess robustness to sequencing depth, missing data, DNA input, dataset selection, platform differences, batch effects, and relevant biological variation. Use validated harmonization approaches and prevent information leakage across development and validation datasets.
- Define quantitative reporting metrics, calibration approaches, quality thresholds, and validated reporting ranges. Document uncertainty, investigate unexpected results, and communicate analytical limitations.
- Implement automated quality checks, failure flags, versioned reports, and traceable software releases. Use code review, tests, workflow automation, and documented environments to support reproducibility and technical transfer; communicate model limitations clearly to scientific and product teams.
Additional Responsibilities
- Provide technical guidance and code review for collaborating scientists and junior bioinformatics staff. Maintain clear analysis documentation, contribute to publications and invention disclosures, and support product and customer-facing technical discussions as needed for relevant projects.
Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, genomics, or a related discipline, with demonstrated independent ownership of substantial computational research or product development projects.
- Strong experience analyzing DNA (hydroxy)methylation or epigenomic data, including sequencing-based quantification, quality control, and biological interpretation.
- Experience with statistical modeling, biomarker discovery, or closely related quantitative methods, including rigorous study design, feature selection, and independent model validation.
Required Technical Skills
- Proficiency in Python and R, Linux or Unix, statistical analysis, and scientific visualization. Experience building maintainable analysis code with version control, automated tests, and documented workflows.
- Experience processing Illumina sequencing data, managing large genomic datasets, and developing scalable workflows using high-performance or cloud computing environments.
- Experience with epigenomic biomarker discovery, dataset curation, method benchmarking, or statistical model optimization.
- Strong communication skills and evidence of original scientific contributions through publications/posters, validated analytical methods, or deployed analysis tools (e.g. GitHub). Ability to explain uncertainty and analytical tradeoffs to multidisciplinary collaborators.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with targeted methylation sequencing, hybridization capture panel design, multiplex primer or probe design, or analysis of methylation-sensitive qPCR or digital PCR data.
- Experience analyzing DNA variants/SNPs using NGS data and appropriate quality control and validation methods.
- Experience comparing molecular assay results with independent measurements and assessing analytical agreement, bias, and reproducibility.
- Experience with cross-platform methylation analysis (Nanopore/PacBio), low-input assays, uncertainty estimation, workflow engines, or transfer of analytical methods into supported research products.
About us:
Since its inception in 1994, Zymo Research has been proudly serving the scientific community by providing innovative, reliable, and high-quality research tools and products. Whether it's DNA, RNA, epigenetics, microbiomics, protein, or yeast-based research, our philosophy remains the same: To provide the highest quality products in the industry while ensuring they are both simple to use and reliable in their performance.
Recognized as a Top Workplace by the Orange County Register in 2021, 2022, and named a Top Workplace USA in 2023, Zymo Research continues to be a vibrant community where employees thrive, feel connected, and are inspired by their work. If you are passionate about contributing to scientific advancement and want to be part of an exceptional team in a dynamic, growing company, we'd love to hear from you!
Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:
The estimated base compensation range for this position is $85,000-115,000 per annum at the time of posting. Actual compensation details will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.
Zymo Research also offers competitive benefits and perks including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverages
- EAP Sessions
- Vacation Time plus Company Holidays
- Paid Sick Leave
- Generous 401(K) with matching
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Complimentary fruit, snacks, and beverages
- Complimentary catered lunches on Thursdays
- Complimentary EV Charging
- Cell phone stipend
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:
Zymo Research welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. These include sex, age, color, race, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical & mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local law.
Location:
Onsite – Zymo Research HQ - 17062 Murphy Ave, Irvine, CA 92614
Disclaimer:
At Zymo, we take the integrity of our hiring process seriously. Please be aware of fraudulent recruitment activities that may use our name to deceive job seekers. We will never ask for payment, sensitive personal information, or financial details during the recruitment process. All legitimate communications will come from an official Zymo or TriNet Hiring email address. If you are contacted by anyone claiming to represent us using a free email service (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or asking for payment, please treat this as fraudulent and report it immediately to careers@zymoresearch.com.
See all 52+ H-1B Visa Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Align your degree to the role
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims when your degree field doesn't directly match the job. A degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or biostatistics maps cleanly. A general biology or CS degree may require a detailed credentials evaluation to satisfy the direct-relationship requirement.
Check LCA filings by SOC code
Bioinformatics scientist roles file under SOC 19-1029 or 15-2099 depending on the employer's framing. Pull DOL LCA disclosure data filtered by those codes to find which biotech, pharma, and research institutions have active H-1B filing histories before sending applications.
Target employers with cap-exempt status
Universities, nonprofit research institutes, and government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning you can file any time of year without entering the lottery. Many senior bioinformatics roles exist at NIH-funded institutions and academic medical centers where this exemption applies.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified sponsors
Pull up the Senior Bioinformatics Scientist listings on Migrate Mate and filter by employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history. That narrows your list to organizations that have already navigated the process for roles at this level, saving you outreach to non-sponsors.
Request prevailing wage documentation early
Before the I-129 is filed, your employer must certify the offered wage meets DOL prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify Level III or IV wages for your job site ZIP code so you can flag discrepancies before the LCA is submitted.
Negotiate H-1B filing costs into your offer
USCIS prohibits employers from passing mandatory I-129 filing fees to H-1B workers. Premium processing, however, is negotiable. If your start date is time-sensitive, confirm in writing whether the employer will cover premium processing before you accept the offer.
H-1B Visa Senior Bioinformatics Scientist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Bioinformatics Scientist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Senior Bioinformatics Scientist positions require at least a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, biostatistics, or a directly related field, which satisfies the USCIS specialty occupation definition. Roles involving genomic pipeline development, statistical modeling, or algorithm design for biological data have consistently met this standard. If your employer describes the role broadly, a strong job duties letter from a supervisor strengthens the petition.
Which employers regularly sponsor H-1B visas for bioinformatics roles?
Biotech companies, pharmaceutical research divisions, academic medical centers, and government-affiliated research institutions are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for bioinformatics positions. Cap-exempt employers like universities and NIH-funded nonprofits can file outside the annual lottery. You can browse verified H-1B-sponsoring employers hiring for this role on Migrate Mate, filtered by LCA filing history.
What happens to my H-1B status if my bioinformatics project ends and I'm laid off?
You have a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new employer, file a change of status, or depart the U.S. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before that window closes. If you're working at a large pharma or biotech with a track record of layoffs, negotiate a severance clause that keeps you on payroll through the grace period while you transition.
Can my employer file my H-1B as a concurrent position if I already hold H-1B status elsewhere?
Yes. H-1B holders can work concurrently for multiple employers as long as each employer files a separate I-129 petition. This is relevant for senior bioinformatics scientists who consult for biotech startups while employed full-time at a research institution. Each employer must independently satisfy prevailing wage and specialty occupation requirements. USCIS reviews each petition on its own merits.
Does my SOC code affect my H-1B prevailing wage determination?
Directly. Employers filing LCAs for bioinformatics roles may use SOC 19-1029 (Biological Scientists) or 15-2099 (Mathematical Science Occupations) depending on how they define the role's primary function. The SOC code determines which wage level USCIS and DOL apply. A mismatched code can expose the petition to a wage-related Request for Evidence. Cross-check the SOC your employer intends to use against the O*NET occupation profile before the LCA is certified.