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Bioinformatics Technician

Collecting and analysing complex biological data to support scientific innovation

How this role makes a difference

Medicines, medical technology and our understanding of human and animal biology all depend on research and data. Scientists generate data from multiple sources and develop insights from the patterns the data presents.

The volume of data science generates is vast and clear strategies are required to analyse it, to make sure the insights generated are dependable. You could be the technician who collects and analyses complex biological data such as genetic codes, to support scientific innovation.

Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Understanding scientific objectives and the data required for research and innovation
  • Analysing and manipulating data
  • Using statistical software and data mining techniques
  • Conducting quality analysis of data inputs, results or predictions
  • Retrieving information from databases
  • Processing information by compiling, coding and categorising data
  • Building your knowledge of new and emerging data analysis methods and technologies

What you can bring to the role

Confidence in maths and an interest in data.

A natural tendency to consider a subject or idea from different perspectives before drawing conclusions.

An aptitude for listening carefully, asking questions and implementing what you’ve learned.

A talent for understanding and communicating complex ideas.

A responsible and accurate approach to your work, always paying attention to the small details.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- science

- exploring problems and finding answers

- gaming and technology

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

A career in bioinformatics could take you into many different fields of science, ranging from molecular science to wildlife biology, food production, or zoology.

Your range of responsibilities will expand over time and could include designing algorithms, overseeing a laboratory information system, presenting research and data analysis, or designing new data collection and analysis strategies.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job. But if you're interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

  • A T-level in Science after you finish your GCSEs. 

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You’ll use powerful computer hardware that’s capable of crunching mass data and a range of software to help build and use databases, analyse data and present findings to others. You’ll be at the forefront of developments in Artificial Intelligence and will produce your own formulas to solve problems.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Data Scientist
Database Architect
Health Information Technologist
Statistical Assistants

Discover
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