How to Be Bioinformatics Systems Engineer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 30, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The emergence of Bioinformatics Systems Engineers has been a key factor in the advancement of the biomedical field. These engineers possess a unique combination of knowledge in computer science, mathematics, and molecular biology, allowing them to develop software, databases, and systems used in analyzing and manipulating biological data. This expertise has led to the development of powerful tools that enable researchers to quickly process large amounts of data and draw meaningful insights from it. By providing scientists with the ability to analyze data more efficiently, Bioinformatics Systems Engineers are helping to advance medical research, leading to the development of more effective treatments for a variety of diseases and disorders.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. Begin by earning a bachelors degree in biology, biochemistry, computer science, mathematics, chemistry or a related field.
Gain Laboratory Experience. While completing your undergraduate studies, gain laboratory experience by working as a laboratory assistant or research assistant. Working in a laboratory setting gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the type of equipment and technology used by bioinformatics professionals.
Pursue a Graduate Degree. A graduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Bioinformatics or a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics, is often required to become a bioinformatics systems engineer. These programs provide advanced training in technology, mathematics, computer science and biology.
Pursue Certification. While certification is not required for bioinformatics systems engineers, it can demonstrate your level of knowledge and experience in the field and may improve your chances of getting hired. Several certifications are available from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Obtain Professional Experience. Bioinformatics systems engineers must have extensive experience with both computer technology and biology. Obtain professional experience by working as a bioinformatics scientist or software developer. During your career you may design software applications, develop databases, analyze genetic data and create statistical models.
Stay Current. The field of bioinformatics is continuously evolving, so stay current on new developments and technologies in the field by attending conferences, subscribing to journals and reading online articles.

Bioinformatics Systems Engineers are critical to ensuring reliable and competent operation of a wide range of scientific and healthcare systems. Their specialized knowledge of technology, biology, and data science enables them to develop and manage complex information systems that collect, store, and interpret biological data. As a result, these professionals are essential for the development of new medical technologies, novel treatments and therapies, and accurate diagnoses.

In addition, their expertise is invaluable for the efficient maintenance and operation of existing systems in a secure and safe manner. Without Bioinformatics Systems Engineers, the industry of healthcare and science would be unable to keep pace with the ever-growing demands of the modern world.

You may want to check Systems Bioinformatician, Bioinformatics Programmer, and Bioinformatics Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Design, develop, and implement bioinformatics software solutions.
Develop and maintain databases to store and manipulate biological data.
Develop algorithms and tools for analyzing structured and unstructured biological data.
Design and build computational pipelines for processing large amounts of biological data.
Work with biologists to identify and develop new bioinformatic solutions.
Automate bioinformatics processes and procedures.
Evaluate existing software solutions and recommend upgrades or improvements.
Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues as they arise.
Collaborate with research teams to develop new strategies for analyzing biological data.
Develop and document software standards, processes, and procedures.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Expertise in coding languages, such as Python, R, and Perl.
Knowledge of sequence analysis tools and databases, such as BLAST, EMBOSS, and GenBank.
Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems.
Understanding of bioinformatics algorithms and data structures.
Ability to develop software tools for biological data analysis.
Understanding of data mining techniques and machine learning algorithms.
Ability to design and implement software pipelines for automated data analysis.
Familiarity with molecular biology techniques and methods.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Bioinformatics Systems Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and managing complex databases and software that support the analysis of biological data. As such, the most important skill for a Bioinformatics Systems Engineer to have is the ability to think critically and analytically. This skill allows them to evaluate data, identify patterns and trends, and develop solutions that can effectively address biological problems.

they need to have strong communication skills so they can interact with the other members of their team and explain their ideas in a clear and concise manner. Finally, they need to be knowledgeable of computer programming languages and algorithms in order to create effective databases and software. With these skills, a Bioinformatics Systems Engineer can build sophisticated systems to analyze biological data and help make better decisions in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and biotechnology.

Clinical Bioinformatician, Bioinformatics Research Scientist, and Research Bioinformatician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have managing bioinformatics systems?
How do you keep up with the latest trends in bioinformatics and software engineering?
What challenges have you faced while working with bioinformatics systems?
Describe a complex project you have worked on involving bioinformatics systems.
What strategies do you use when debugging bioinformatics systems?
How have you improved the performance of bioinformatics systems?
What experience do you have working with big data?
Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex bioinformatics system.
What databases are you familiar with for bioinformatics systems?
How do you ensure data security when working with bioinformatics systems?

Common Tools in Industry

BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). A widely-used bioinformatics tool that is used to compare a query sequence to a database of known sequences and identify similar regions. (eg: Used to compare and identify similarities between two DNA sequences)
OpenMRS (Open Medical Record System). An open source medical record system used to manage patient information in health care settings. (eg: Used to collect, store, and manage patient data in hospitals and clinics)
RNA-Seq (RNA sequencing). A method of sequencing RNA molecules to study gene expression. (eg: Used to measure the levels of gene expression in different tissues or conditions)
Galaxy (Galaxy Project). An open source, web-based platform for analyzing and visualizing genomic data. (eg: Used for bioinformatic analysis of large datasets such as genomic or proteomic data)
bioBakery (BioBakery Workflows). A suite of automated pipelines for performing bioinformatic analysis tasks. (eg: Used for the automated analysis of large-scale datasets such as microbiome data)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB)
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
International Conference on Intelligent Systems for Molecular Biology (ISMB)
Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)

We also have Computer Programmer in Bioinformatics, Computational Biologist, and Research Assistant in Bioinformatics jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Algorithms A set of instructions or procedures used to solve a problem or complete a task.
Data Analysis The process of collecting, organizing, and interpreting data to gain insights and make decisions.
Database Management The organization, storage, and retrieval of data stored in a relational database.
Programming Languages A set of instructions used to create software programs.
Software Development The process of creating and maintaining software applications.
Systems Architecture The design of the physical components of a computer system and how they interact with each other.
Networking The practice of connecting two or more computers together for the purpose of exchanging data or resources.
Cloud Computing A type of computing that relies on remote servers to store, manage, and process data.
Machine Learning A type of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed.
Bioinformatics The application of computational techniques to the analysis and management of biological data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Bioinformatics Systems Engineer? A1: A Bioinformatics Systems Engineer is a professional who designs and develops computer systems to support the storage, management, and analysis of biological data. Q2: What qualifications are necessary to become a Bioinformatics Systems Engineer? A2: To become a Bioinformatics Systems Engineer, candidates should have a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field, as well as experience with software development, databases, and data analysis. Q3: What types of biological data do Bioinformatics Systems Engineers work with? A3: Bioinformatics Systems Engineers typically work with genetic data, protein sequences, medical records, and other types of biological data. Q4: What tasks do Bioinformatics Systems Engineers typically perform? A4: Bioinformatics Systems Engineers typically develop and maintain software systems for data storage and analysis, design algorithms for data analysis, and create visualizations of biological data. Q5: What is the job outlook for Bioinformatics Systems Engineers? A5: The job outlook for Bioinformatics Systems Engineers is very positive, as the demand for professionals with expertise in computer science and biology is expected to increase in the coming years.