Senior Bioinformatician

Dept of Health and Human Services

Public Health

Publ Hlth Scientist (NS)

65024279

NC20

The Senior Bioinformatician serves as the bioinformatics lead within the Infectious Diseases Unit at the NC State Laboratory of Public Health, supporting sequencing and pathogen‑surveillance activities across multiple laboratory programs. The position oversees bioinformatic analysis, including the development, evaluation, and implementation of whole genome sequencing and next‑generation sequencing workflows within the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response (SaBR) Unit.

This role develops and maintains CLIA‑compliant data‑processing pipelines that support epidemiological investigations and contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases. The position provides technical direction for quality assurance, workflow maintenance, staff training, and problem resolution. It also delivers regional training as a co‑training lead, including quarterly reporting on grant‑funded training and development activities.


Key Duties Include:
– Overseeing bioinformatic analyses and workflow development within the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Response (SaBR) Unit.

– Developing, evaluating, and implementing whole genome sequencing (WGS) and next‑generation sequencing (NGS) workflows to support communicable‑disease surveillance.

– Creating and maintaining CLIA‑compliant bioinformatics pipelines for processing WGS/NGS datasets used in epidemiological investigations.

– Collaborating with laboratory leadership and unit managers to lead cross‑cutting method development and integration of new sequencing approaches.

– Providing professional and technical direction for quality‑assurance practices, workflow maintenance, and problem‑resolution activities related to bioinformatics processes.

– Preparing and updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documentation for bioinformatics methods used in laboratory operations.

– Leading staff training on bioinformatics tools, workflows, and analytical techniques within the Infectious Diseases Unit.

– Serving as a co‑training lead for the Mid‑Atlantic Region by developing, delivering, and documenting bioinformatics training and reporting on associated grant deliverables.

– Supporting pathogen‑surveillance activities by ensuring accurate, timely processing and analysis of sequencing data for public‑health decision‑making.

– Coordinating with internal and external partners to ensure bioinformatics workflows align with laboratory testing needs and public‑health priorities.

Tresha Walker