Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity? At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients. Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Location: UK remote

Job Type: Full-time

Experience Level: Senior

As Senior Bioinformatics Scientist here at Illumina, you will play a critical role in supporting sequencing platform development, standardized bioinformatics workflows, and data quality initiatives across a diverse portfolio of applications. Reporting within Chris Edlund's organization and working closely with Camilla Colombo's UK-based support teams, you will collaborate with scientists, bioinformaticians, software engineers, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure robust, reproducible, and high-quality analysis processes. This position supports activities spanning development through product launch and offers the opportunity to contribute both to day-to-day scientific operations and broader platform quality improvements. We are looking for an experienced, self-directed scientist who can quickly learn new applications, investigate complex issues, and help drive continuous innovation across our sequencing platforms.

Why You

You are a collaborative and adaptable bioinformatics professional who enjoys solving complex scientific challenges and turning data into meaningful insights. With a strong understanding of next-generation sequencing technologies, bioinformatics workflows, and data quality assessment, you are comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment while partnering effectively with global, cross-functional teams.

You bring experience with Python and/or R, Unix/Linux environments, reproducible workflow development, and communicating technical information to a wide range of audiences. Beyond your technical expertise, you are naturally curious, eager to learn, and motivated to improve processes and drive innovation. You thrive when working with others to deliver solutions that have real scientific and business impact.

At Illumina, our values guide everything we do. We are looking for someone who acts with integrity, embraces collaboration, moves with purpose, and is passionate about advancing genomics through high-quality science and continuous improvement.

A Master's or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related discipline is required.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Plan and execute bioinformatics analyses supporting both new and existing sequencing platforms, ensuring high-quality and scientifically robust outcomes.
• Assess sequencing data quality, investigate performance trends, and translate complex results into clear, actionable findings and recommendations.
• Run, configure, validate, maintain, and troubleshoot standardized bioinformatics workflows to support reproducible and reliable analyses across multiple applications.
• Develop and maintain reusable scripts, workflow configurations, quality metrics, visualizations, and supporting tools that improve efficiency and consistency.
• Partner closely with scientific, bioinformatics, software, and cross-functional teams to define analysis requirements, establish acceptance criteria, and solve complex technical challenges.
• Investigate workflow, platform, instrument, and data quality issues, identifying root causes and driving effective solutions and continuous improvements.
• Support users through documentation, training, workflow guidance, and issue triage, helping to promote best practices and enable successful adoption of internal tools and processes.
• Communicate methods, results, limitations, recommendations, and technical concepts effectively to both specialist and non-specialist stakeholders.
• Contribute to the ongoing standardization and optimization of bioinformatics processes while supporting innovation initiatives that enhance platform quality, workflow performance, and user experience.

What Can You Expect

Our team members are bright, energetic, and dedicated - they are the driving force behind our innovation and impact. To attract the best and brightest, we offer a competitive employee benefits program. We view it as a smart investment in our people, one that recognizes the tremendous value they bring to our business every day. At Illumina, we push boundaries. We think beyond the conventional. We dream big. With the energy of so many bright and accomplished people, the opportunities are endless.

The estimated base salary range for the Senior Bioinformatics Scientist role based in United Kingdom is GBP 44,000 - 66,000. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. This salary range applies to the primary posting location listed above. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range will be updated accordingly. Compensation ranges for other locations will differ to reflect local market competitiveness and will be shared with candidates if applicable during the recruitment process.

Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a thoughtfully designed benefits package that supports your wellbeing, flexibility, and life beyond work—combining globally differentiated offerings with locally tailored programs. This includes support during important life moments, flexible time off, opportunities to give back, and a weeklong company-wide summer shutdown. In the UK, we also offer flexible benefits, a company contribution of 10% into your pension, and private medical insurance, alongside additional benefits to support you and your family.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. To learn more, visit: The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.