What skills does a bioinformatics scientist need?

A bioinformatics scientist needs 54 essential skills including life sciences, computer programming, genomics, web programming, scientific literature. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace bioinformatics scientist jobs?

The AI disruption score for bioinformatics scientist is 72/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2131

bioinformatics scientist

Bioinformatics scientists analyse biological processes using computer programmes. They maintain or construct databases containing biological information. Bioinformatics scientists gather and analyse biological data and may also assist scientists in various fields, including in biotechnology and pharmaceutics. They perform scientific research and statistical analyses, and report on their findings. Bioinformatics scientists may also collect DNA samples, discover data patterns and conduct genetic research.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (54)

life scienceslife sciencesThe study of the processes related to cells, molecules and living organisms.computer programmingcomputer programmingThe techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object oriented programming, functional programming) a...genomicsgenomicsThe field of study in relation to whole genomes of organisms, as well as their genetic or epigenetic sequence of information. It aims to provide knowledge about the downstream of biological products a...web programmingweb programmingThe programming paradigm that is based on combining markup (which adds context and structure to text) and other web programming code, such as AJAX, javascript and PHP, in order to carry out appropriat...scientific literaturescientific literatureThe medium of informing the scientific community, including academic researchers, about the results of scientific research. It constitutes a permanent and cumulative collection of all the findings of ...statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...laboratory techniqueslaboratory techniquesTechniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.computer engineeringcomputer engineeringEngineering discipline that combines computer science with electrical engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineering occupies itself with electronics, software design, and...biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.computer equipmentcomputer equipmentThe offered computers, computer peripheral equipment and software products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.database management systemsdatabase management systemsThe tools for creating, updating and managing databases, such as Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server.computational chemistrycomputational chemistryThe branch of chemistry that aims at addressing complex chemical problems through computer simulations.computational biologycomputational biologyThe interdisciplinary scientific field that focus on employing data analytics and theories to investigate biological systems obtained through experiments.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...gather datagather dataExtract exportable data from multiple sources.maintain freelance databasemaintain freelance databaseMaintain a freelance database that offers extra support to your teams and is able to calculate negotiating costs.interpret current datainterpret current dataAnalyse data gathered from sources such as market data, scientific papers, customer requirements and questionnaires which are current and up-to-date in order to assess development and innovation in ar...interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.manage databasemanage databaseApply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.perform data analysisperform data analysisCollect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.analyse scientific dataanalyse scientific dataCollect and analyse scientific data resulting from research. Interpret these data according to certain standards and viewpoints in order to comment on it.apply statistical analysis techniquesapply statistical analysis techniquesUse models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.contact scientistscontact scientistsListen, reply, and establish a fluid communication relationship with scientists in order to extrapolate their findings and information into a varied array of applications including business and indust...demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...use databasesuse databasesUse software tools for managing and organising data in a structured environment which consists of attributes, tables and relationships in order to query and modify the stored data.increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.conduct quantitative researchconduct quantitative researchExecute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...present reportspresent reportsDisplay results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...collect biological datacollect biological dataCollect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...

Optional (28)

computer simulationcomputer simulationA programme run on a computer that represents dynamic responses of a system to explore a mathematical model behaviour, using a model of a real system, composed of mathematical equations.biometricsbiometricsThe science that statistically analyses human characteristics such as retina, voice or DNA for identification purposes.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...geneticsgeneticsThe study of heredity, genes and variations in living organisms. Genetic science seeks to understand the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring and the structure and behaviour of genes...scientific computingscientific computingThe interdisciplinary field between computer science, mathematics and engineering. It concerns the employment of technical approaches and theoretical frameworks, and the use of computers, to address i...statistical modeling techniquesstatistical modeling techniquesThe approaches for employing statistical analysis to dataset within the data science field. It seeks to elaborate reality predictions through statistical models and explicit assumptions.stem cellsstem cellsThe biological development of human embryonic stem cells, together with the ethical concerns related and the legal requirements involved.molecular biologymolecular biologyThe interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.multidisciplinary researchmultidisciplinary researchThe research technique where a common issue is investigated using approaches from different disciplines with the aim of finding a comprehensive solution to it.proteomicsproteomicsThe study of proteomes (i.e., the complements of proteins within cells, tissues or organisms), and their interactions and behaviours, under specific conditions.scientific modellingscientific modellingScientific activity consisting in selecting the relevant aspects of a situation and aiming to represent physical processes, empirical objects and phenomena to allow a better understanding, visualisati...data quality assessmentdata quality assessmentThe process of revealing data issues using quality indicators, measures and metrics in order to plan data cleansing and data enrichment strategies according to data quality criteria.genetic engineeringgenetic engineeringManipulation of the genetic material of an organism using methods that insert new DNA into or remove heritable material from the genome.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.data sciencedata scienceThe field of study that deals with big amount of data using AI techniques such as machine learning algorithms to predict patterns and obtain useful information to make business decisions.perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...maintain laboratory equipmentmaintain laboratory equipmentClean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.conduct genome researchconduct genome researchConduct research on matters relating to the genome, including gene expression, metabolic networks and nucleic acid or protein complexes.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.gather experimental datagather experimental dataCollect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.manage data collection systemsmanage data collection systemsDevelop and manage methods and strategies used to maximise data quality and statistical efficiency in the collection of data, in order to ensure the gathered data are optimised for further processing.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.evaluate genetic dataevaluate genetic dataEvaluate genetic data by applying statistical calculations and analysing the results.plan research processplan research processOutline the research methodologies and schedule in order to ensure that the research can be thoroughly and efficiently executed and that the objectives can be met in a timely manner.