Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the life sciences, biotechnology, and genomics sectors that anchor the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles metro regions. Employers like Genentech, Illumina, and AstraZeneca maintain deep California roots and consistently hire at the senior level for computational genomics, single-cell analysis, and multi-omics pipeline development. Demand runs from mid-career scientists stepping into lead roles through distinguished principal-level researchers. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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!
- 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.
Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:
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:
Location:
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
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!
- 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.
Compensation, Benefits, and Perks:
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:
Location:
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 18 Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California
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Find JobsSenior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Medical Devices
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior bioinformatics scientist jobs across California.
- Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, or closely related quantitative field required
- Proficiency in Python, R, and Linux command-line for genomic data processing pipelines
- Demonstrated experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data including RNA-seq and WGS
- Prior leadership of bioinformatics projects or direct mentorship of junior scientists expected
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud for large-scale analysis
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with wet-lab teams in a California biotech or pharma setting
Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior bioinformatics scientist in California?
The typical California path starts with a Ph.D. in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field such as statistics or computer science, followed by postdoctoral or industry research experience. California does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most senior positions in Bay Area and San Diego biotechs expect several years of hands-on pipeline development and a publication or project record. Candidates who build expertise in single-cell sequencing, structural biology computing, or regulatory-grade data workflows move into senior roles faster in California's market.
How much do senior bioinformatics scientists make in California?
Senior bioinformatics scientists in California earn a median of about $113,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,770 for the lowest 10% to over $189,710 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior bioinformatics scientists in California?
Employers hiring senior bioinformatics scientists in California right now include Abbott, Illumina, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of genomics companies, oncology-focused biotechs, and large pharma R&D centers means hiring is sustained year-round rather than tied to single funding cycles.
Which California cities have the most senior bioinformatics scientist jobs?
San Diego, La Jolla, and South San Francisco account for the largest share of senior bioinformatics scientist openings in California. The Bay Area leads because it houses the global headquarters of major genomics and therapeutics companies, while San Diego's biotech cluster around Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley drives consistent demand, and Los Angeles openings reflect growth in academic medical centers and newer precision medicine startups.
Are there remote senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, because bioinformatics work is inherently computational and does not require physical lab access. About 64% of senior bioinformatics scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how naturally the role fits distributed work. Pipeline development, data analysis, and cross-team collaboration tasks transfer well to remote settings, though roles with regulatory submission duties or direct wet-lab integration tend to require at least partial on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a senior bioinformatics scientist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship at a California research university such as UC San Francisco, UC San Diego, or UCLA, which directly feeds the Bay Area and San Diego biotech pipelines. Many California biotechs also hire associate bioinformatics scientists or research associates with strong master's-level skills in Python and NGS analysis as a bridge role. Building a public GitHub portfolio with real sequencing workflows, contributing to open-source genomics tools, and networking through the Bay Area Bioinformatics community substantially improves candidacy without years of industry experience.
Where can I find and apply to senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior bioinformatics scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, genomics, and academic medical centers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 18 Senior Bioinformatics Scientist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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