Full-Time
Principal Bioinformatics Scientist
Posted on 9/15/2025
Element Biosciences
201-500 employees
Low-cost next-generation DNA sequencing technology
Compensation Overview
$179k - $254k/yr
San Diego, CA, USA
In Person
 Biology & Biotech (2) |
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- C++ and/or C# programming skills
- Proficiency in scripting with Python
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated experience in processing of next-generation sequencing desired
- Knowledge of cloud and related technologies (AWS, Docker) desired
- PhD degree strongly preferred with a background in computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology, mathematics, or related fields and 10 years of industry related experience
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop new technology
- Work on a variety of projects with an opportunity to work on product design and green-field analysis infrastructure
- Design and implement novel algorithms to improve the sequencing and multi-omics platform
- Optimize execution of existing methods
- Analyze data to identify improvement opportunities
- Serve as a scientific and technical leader within a multi-disciplinary R&D team, contributing deep expertise in bioinformatics, algorithm development, and data analysis to drive innovation across projects
- Design, prototype, and implement novel computational algorithms to advance the accuracy, efficiency, and scalability of our sequencing and multi-omics technologies
- Architect and develop robust, production-grade bioinformatics pipelines and infrastructure to support rapid development cycles and integration with customer-facing platforms
- Lead exploratory data analysis and large-scale data mining efforts to uncover insights that directly inform technology development and optimization strategies
- Evaluate and integrate new computational methods and tools, staying abreast of current advances in the bioinformatics field to maintain a competitive technical edge
- Collaborate closely with wet lab scientists, software engineers, and product teams to define requirements, validate findings, and translate scientific innovation into practical solutions
- Drive performance optimization of existing algorithms and pipelines, improving speed, memory usage, and accuracy across diverse datasets
- Mentor junior scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and continuous learning within the informatics team
- Contribute to strategic decision-making around data architecture, modeling approaches, and experimental design
- Represent the informatics function in cross-functional meetings and provide expert input on scientific direction and priorities
- PhD degree strongly preferred with a background in computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology, mathematics, or related fields and 10 years of industry related experience
- Demonstrated experience in processing of next-generation sequencing
- Knowledge of cloud and related technologies (AWS, Docker)
Element Biosciences makes DNA sequencing with the AVITI System, a compact benchtop NGS platform that pairs high accuracy with low run costs. The system delivers sequencing data at about $1 per million reads and can be integrated into workflows through partnerships with companies like QIAGEN for end-to-end solutions. The company stands out by offering affordable, high-quality sequencing and by supporting researchers with programs such as the AVITI for All Grant that provides free sequencing. Its goal is to broaden access to sequencing, enabling more projects within typical budgets across academic and commercial settings.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$678M
Headquarters
San Diego, California
Founded
2017
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- VITARI shipping H2 2026 captures clinical oncology with $100 genomes, driving adoption.
- Sophia Genetics partnership integrates AI analytics with AVITI24 for precision medicine workflows.
- Biomodal collaboration adds methylation detection to AVITI24, expanding cancer research applications.
What critics are saying
- Ultima Genomics UG200 Ultra sequences 60,000 genomes yearly, eroding VITARI's high-volume edge.
- Illumina NovaSeq X roadmap upgrades threaten Element's share in established labs by 2027.
- 2026 AVITI Dx EU filing fails validation, blocking clinical revenue diversification.
What makes Element Biosciences unique
- AVITI24 enables 5D multiomics capturing RNA, protein, morphology, and spatial context in one assay.
- VITARI delivers high-quality whole genome sequencing at $100, supporting 10 billion reads per run.
- Avidity Sequencing achieves ≥90% Q40 accuracy, outperforming competitors in variant calling.
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Benefits
100% company-paid medical, dental, & vision coverage
Flexible spending & health savings accounts
Premier mental health care
401(k) with immediately vested 4% company match
Company-paid Life and AD&D insurance
Stock option grants
Flexible time off
10 paid annual holidays
8-weeks paid parental leave
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 0%1 year growth
↑ 0%2 year growth
↑ 1%Week in Brief: week ending 27th february. Lyndsey Fletcher 2 March 2026 What's been going on in the life sciences world this week? Check out Week in Brief for an overview of the biggest news from the last seven days. New announcements have taken the sequencing world by storm this week as several companies announced the launch of new products, and provided updates on their technology: * Element Biosciences announced the launch of the VITARI system, a high-throughput benchtop sequencer capable of sequencing a whole genome for $100. * Ultima Genomics launched the UG200 series, which features two configurations, UG200 and UG200 Ultra, designed to deliver up to 30,000 and 60,000 genomes a year respectively. * Illumina published an 18 month roadmap for the NovaSeq X platform, which aims to improve accuracy, throughput and turnaround time, and expand the applications of the platform. A study has found that many genetic variants that increase the risk of autoimmune hypothyroidism also tend to lower the risk of skin cancer. The findings suggest a shared genetic basis where heightened immune activity can protect against cancer but promote autoimmunity. Scientists have used a high-throughput method to test over 220,000 DNA variants and create detailed maps showing which specific genetic changes affect gene activity in different cell types. The work has clarified how variants influence traits like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, helping to narrow down actionable mutations. A phase I clinical trial for a prostate cancer treatment has shown that a 'cloaking device' helped to keep an immunotherapy drug hidden and inactive until it reached tumour cells. This mechanism meant that side effects were minimised, and nearly half of the patients involved in the trial saw tumour shrinkage. In another prostate cancer drug trial, a novel targeted radiotherapy injection delivered radioactive therapy directly to cancer cells, shrinking or halting growth of tumours in over 80% of participants. The drug uses a 'homing device' to identify a specific antigen on the surface of the tumour cells. A new study has found that exposure to cigarette smoke causes epigenetic changes in key retinal cells, accelerating aging. These findings explain why smokers are more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Researchers have discovered that getting 'chills' or tingles when listening to music or engaging with art or literature is partly heritable. Some of the genes linked to this response were associated with other personality traits, and some had an impact across music, poetry and visual arts. A new study has found that 'jumping' segments of human DNA known as genetic parasites can destabilise the genome early in tumour development, creating mutations that fuel cancer evolution. These mobile DNA elements may play a critical role in the initial stages of cancer formation by promoting genomic instability. Scientists have discovered that high-dose vitamin B3 supplements dramatically extended survival and reversed symptoms in a mouse model of NAXD deficiency, a fatal childhood genetic disorder. This approach also identified other genetic conditions that might respond to B-vitamin therapy. Check out last week's Week in Brief here. Share via:
Biomodal, an omics-based life sciences technology company, has announced that its duet multiomic solutions are now compatible with Element Biosciences' AVITI24 5D multiomics and AVITI sequencing instruments. The integration, validated at the University of Minnesota Genomics Center, aims to enhance sensitivity for cancer, ageing and neurodegenerative disease research. The collaboration combines biomodal's 5-base and 6-base sequencing solutions with Element's sequencing systems, enabling complete methylation detection and delivering actionable insights within a single streamlined process. AVITI users gain access to biomodal's software pipeline, creating an end-to-end workflow for next-generation sequencing. Biomodal's platform-agnostic technology integrates pre-sequencing workflow with post-sequencing informatics to generate genetic and epigenetic data from a single sample in one run.
Element Biosciences has announced VITARI, a high-throughput benchtop sequencing system capable of delivering a high-quality whole genome at $100. The system will support up to 10 billion reads per run and is designed for applications including whole-genome sequencing, clinical oncology research and transcriptomics. VITARI joins Element's existing AVITI and AVITI24 systems, providing scalable sequencing capabilities for laboratories of varying sizes. The platform is built with expansion capabilities for future multimodic applications, allowing researchers to scale output whilst maintaining data quality. Priced at $689,000, VITARI will begin shipping in the second half of 2026, with pre-orders now open. The company reports strong early customer interest with commitments already in place.
PMFG Summit 2025, Doha, Qatar. Zahrawi Group, in partnership with Element Biosciences, participated in the PMFG Summit 2025 - Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics, co-organized by Sidra Medicine and the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha, Qatar. This event explored the role of AI in genomics, clinical trials, and precision medicine, bringing together global leaders and partners to drive discussions on advancing personalized healthcare. The summit emphasized accelerating innovation and shaping a more precise and inclusive healthcare future, highlighting the transformative potential of technology in precision medicine. During the conference, Zahrawi Group's Lab team showcased comprehensive end-to-end molecular workflow solutions from its partners, Qiagen and Element Biosciences, with focus on Element Biosciences' AVITI24(TM), a state-of-the-art genomics platform that provides flexible and cost-effective access to next-generation sequencing with integrated 5D multiomics capabilities, enabling researchers to translate variants into biological insights from discovery to mechanism and driving advancements in precision medicine and genomic research.
Sophia Genetics and Element Biosciences partner to advance precision medicine research. The companies' aim to unite their respective technologies to create an end-to-end workflow for precision medicine research in lab settings. Sophia Genetics and Element Biosciences have teamed up to advance genomic sequencing and workflows for precision medicine. Announced during the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) meeting, taking place on11-15 November in Boston, the collaboration will integrate Sophia Genetics' AI-powered analytics platform, SOPHiA DDM, with Element's AVITI24 5D multiomic and AVITI sequencing systems. According to the companies, integrating their respective technologies will advance genomic research workflows to support labs' development of precision medicines. Element's AVITI24: 5D Multiomic Platform is designed for single-cell, spatial multiomics, capturing dynamic response, morphology, protein, RNA, and spatial context within a single assay. The platform is complemented by AVITI next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. NGS is a method for sequencing DNA or RNA that is capable of analysing millions of genetic fragments simultaneously. Sophia's DDM is a cloud-based platform that interprets genomic and multimodal data using AI and machine learning (ML). Through contributions from 800 healthcare institutions across 72 countries, DDM will be able to regularly refine its AI capabilities. In March 2025, Sophia's DDM had analysed the genomic profiles of more than two million patients since its 2015 launch. US tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate? Don't let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis. Sophia Genetics' CEO and co-founder Jurgi Camblong commented: "This partnership aligns with our shared goals of democratising access to research that supports precision medicine globally, bringing data-driven decisions closer to home, and extending the reach of our respective technologies." According to GlobalData analysis, the overall application of AI across healthcare will reach a valuation of $19bn by 2027. In a testimonial for the companies, Professor Hagay Sobol, head of the Molecular Oncogenetics Laboratory at France's Institut Paoli-Calmettes, said: "We expect this collaboration that pairs Sophia Genetics' powerful analytics with Element's sequencing performance will be able to deliver the consistency and scalability needed for research that helps bring precision medicine to more patients, faster." The next-generation sequencer market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% and is forecast to reach a valuation of $18.5m by 2034, up from $6.4m in 2024, according to GlobalData. Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights. Medical Device Network Excellence Awards - The benefits of entering. Gain the recognition you deserve! The Medical Device Network Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving medical devices advancements. Don't miss your chance to stand out - submit your entry today!