Bioinformatics Research Intern

The application closing date:

5 Oct 2026

Description:

The Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) is seeking a Bioinformatics Research Intern to join the Basic & Translational Science Department. This internship offers hands-on experience supporting ongoing bioinformatics analyses, workflow development, and data management across multi-omics research projects. The role provides an opportunity to learn how to process, curate, and analyze complex biological datasets (e.g., sequencing, proteomics, and clinical data) while developing practical skills in bioinformatics and reproducible research. You will work closely with experienced researchers and bioinformaticians and contribute to research in infectious diseases and immunology in a supportive learning environment.

Overview of Duties

Data Preparation and Organization

• Assist with organizing, cleaning, and preparing biological datasets (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, or proteomics data).

Bioinformatics Support

• Assist with running and monitoring bioinformatics pipelines under supervision.
• Help with basic data analysis using tools such as R, Python, and Linux command line.

Basic Data Analysis

• Support routine analyses such as differential expression or abundance analysis.
• Assist with pathway analysis and interpretation of results alongside senior researchers.

Data Visualization

• Help generate figures and visual summaries of results (e.g., heatmaps, PCA plots, volcano plots).

Team and Research Support

• Work collaboratively with bioinformaticians and researchers on ongoing projects.
• Assist with preparing presentation materials, reports, and documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Honours degree in Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Computer Science, or a closely related field is required.

Required Skills

• Basic knowledge of transcriptomics, proteomics, or metabolomics data analysis.
• Skilled with programming languages (e.g., R, Python), Linux command lines and bioinformatics tools.
• Familiarity with data formats (e.g., FASTQ, GTF and CSV) and bioinformatics databases (NCBI, UniProt, KEGG)
• Foundational understanding of genomics, transcriptomics, or proteomics data analysis
• Knowledge of basic statistical concepts (e.g., p-values, FDR, clustering, PCA)

Worker Type:

Employee

AHRI is a values-driven organisation. As an employer we are committed to staff engagement and development. Our culture is one of high performance and partnership.

Our values
The successful candidate will be expected to live by AHRI’s values, including collaboration, ubuntu, leadership, innovation, transformation, and excellence.
 
 
Employment equity
AHRI is fully compliant with South African labour law and is committed to employment equity. This position is primarily open to South African or other African applicants, with a valid work permit desirable. AHRI reserves the right in special circumstances to accept late applications or to extend the above date to facilitate further searches. Furthermore, AHRI reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.