Senior Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer

Parsons is seeking a Senior Bioinformatics Analyst/Engineer to develop and apply computational methods supporting infectious-disease genomics, pathogen surveillance, emerging-threat response, and fieldable bioinformatics at NMRC BDRD.

The selected candidate will work across scientific and software disciplines to analyze NGS data, build and validate automated workflows, improve analytical methods, and support deployment of bioinformatics capabilities in laboratory and field environments.

• Analyze NGS data from pathogens, near neighbors, bacteriophages, and complex samples.
• Develop, validate, benchmark, and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines.
• Perform genome assembly, annotation, taxonomic profiling, and coinfection detection.
• Conduct phylogenetic and molecular epidemiological analyses.
• Prepare scientific data and metadata for approved database submission.
• Test and evaluate emerging bioinformatics software and analytical methods.
• Develop or improve bioinformatics software for laboratory or field use.
• Apply statistical, AI, or machine-learning approaches to biological datasets when required.
• Document workflows, software configurations, test results, limitations, and user procedures.
• Support training, demonstrations, and technical reach-back for partner laboratories and field operators.
• Troubleshoot analytical and software issues under operational deadlines.
• Collaborate with scientific, laboratory, software, and international partner teams.

• Ph.D. or master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science combined with biology or bioinformatics experience, or a closely related field.
• At least seven years of hands-on bioinformatics experience.
• Demonstrable multiyear experience in computer science, genomics, bioinformatics, and computational biology.
• Expert programming skills using languages and tools such as Java, Perl, Python, and R.
• Familiarity with relevant NGS technologies, including Illumina, PacBio, and ONT platforms.
• Familiarity with microarray and/or single-cell sequencing technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and independent problem-solving ability.
• Ability to perform under deadlines and in potentially austere environments.
• Ability to provide occasional after-hours support based on assigned mission requirements.
• Availability for national and international travel of up to two to four weeks.
• U.S. citizenship due to federal contract requirements.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance and Government access.

• Experience with infectious-disease genomics, metagenomics, biosurveillance, or outbreak response.
• Experience with containers, workflow engines, version control, CI/CD, cloud, or high-performance computing.
• Experience validating analytical pipelines using benchmark datasets.
• Experience developing fieldable or disconnected bioinformatics software.
• Experience with AI/ML model development for genomic or biological data.
• Experience supporting DoD or international partner laboratories.
• Experience producing user guides and training technical personnel.
• An active Secret security clearance.

This position is expected to follow the established on-site work schedule at Fort Detrick.

Participation in assigned rotational reach-back coverage may be required outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays.

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