Director of the African Bioinformatics Institute

African Bioinformatics Institute
South Africa

Description

The African Bioinformatics Institute (ABI) has been established to support the growth of life science research across the African continent. It is a virtual institute linking Group Leaders at institutions across the continent, led from a central hub housing the Director and secretariat. The ABI aims to promote and facilitate world class bioinformatics research and provide bioinformatics training and support. The ABI invites applications for the position of Director, who will provide strategic, scientific, and operational leadership to establish and grow the institute as a leading continental hub for bioinformatics and computational biology. The Director will be responsible for driving research excellence, strengthening collaborative networks across Africa and internationally, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the institute through effective governance, partnerships, and resource mobilization.


Qualifications

PhD degree, MD degree or equivalent
• At least 10 years of experience in scientific research
• A distinguished record of research achievements and peer-reviewed publications in bioinformatics, genomics, “omics”, data science, or related fields
• Demonstrated leadership experience at an international or consortium level within academia, research institutions, or industry
• Strong understanding of bioinformatics and computational biology, with knowledge of emerging trends and technologies in the field, and experience in supporting projects in bioinformatics or data needs
• Demonstrated experience in building partnerships at regional or continental level
• Proven ability to manage multi-institutional research initiatives and budgets across countries or institutions
• Successful track record in securing research funding through grants and partnerships
• Excellent communication, networking, and partnership-building skills
• Citizenship of an African country or a strong record of involvement in African science


Start date

August 01, 2026

How to Apply

To apply, interested applicants are requested to apply to click here complete the online application process (webapp.placementpartner.com/wi/vacancy/?id=uct_lung_institute&VacRef=CPT000104&preview=605806e475f46e33af2a376ccf3cfc0f) with a cover letter, contact information of three professional references and an updated CV highlighting qualifications, research achievements, and leadership experience.