Director, Bioinformatics - Haystack Oncology

Overview

Haystack Oncology, now part of Quest Diagnostics, is a next-generation liquid biopsy company leading advancements in tumor-informed minimal residual disease (MRD) testing. Our proprietary technology enables the highly sensitive and specific detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), revolutionizing cancer diagnostics and treatment monitoring.

We are seeking an accomplished Director of Bioinformatics to lead the development and implementation of innovative bioinformatics solutions in oncology diagnostics, supporting clinical production, translational research, and regulatory-compliant assay development. This role will drive scientific and technical strategy, oversee bioinformatics teams, and ensure seamless integration of machine learning, big data analytics, and computational biology into our expanding MRD testing pipeline.

As the Director of Bioinformatics, you will play a strategic leadership role in advancing Haystack Oncology’s clinical and research bioinformatics initiatives. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams in genomics, clinical research, IT, and laboratory operations to develop cutting-edge algorithms, bioinformatics workflows, and scalable computational solutions.

You will oversee bioinformatics-driven oncology diagnostics R&D, ensuring precision, efficiency, and regulatory compliance while integrating multi-parameter approaches, machine learning, and cloud-based data processing into our liquid biopsy assays.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership & innovation for bioinformatics and data analysis, providing scientific and technical insights to guide strategic decision-making across Haystack Oncology and Quest Diagnostics.
• Lead the design, development, and optimization of bioinformatics pipelines for high-sensitivity ctDNA detection in oncology applications.
• Ensure bioinformatics platforms adhere to regulatory standards (CLIA, CAP, IVDR, FDA) and industry best practices in software validation and data security.
• Oversee the development of high-throughput bioinformatics workflows, leveraging cloud-based infrastructure (AWS preferred) and scalable computing solutions.
• Establish rigorous quality control (QC) frameworks for genomic data interpretation and clinical reporting.
• Partner with laboratory, clinical, regulatory, and commercial teams to align bioinformatics solutions with business and clinical needs.
• Work with LIMS, IT, and data science teams to integrate bioinformatics workflows into clinical and research pipelines.
• Support key partnerships with academic institutions, biotech, and pharmaceutical collaborators to drive bioinformatics innovation in oncology.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing bioinformatics team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence.
• Provide guidance on computational biology methodologies, experimental design, and bioinformatics-driven insights.
• Promote continuous learning and development, encouraging the adoption of emerging technologies and best practices in bioinformatics.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, or a related field, with 10+ years of experience in oncology bioinformatics and genomics.
• Proven leadership experience in bioinformatics R&D, driving scientific and technical innovation in oncology diagnostics.
• Expertise in NGS data analysis, ctDNA detection, and multi-omics integration for cancer research and precision medicine.
• Strong background in machine learning, algorithm development, and computational biology applied to genomic data.
• Experience with high-throughput bioinformatics workflows and cloud computing infrastructure (AWS preferred).
• Proficiency in Python, R, and other scripting languages for bioinformatics applications.
• Deep understanding of regulatory compliance (CLIA, CAP, IVDR, FDA) and clinical bioinformatics validation processes.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, working with laboratory, clinical, and IT teams to integrate bioinformatics solutions.
• Strong publication record in cancer genomics, bioinformatics, and translational research.
• Experience with tumor-informed MRD testing and liquid biopsy technologies.
• Familiarity with LIMS integration, data visualization, and AI-driven biomarker discovery.
• Previous leadership in clinical bioinformatics teams, overseeing diagnostic assay development and validation.
• Expertise in immune profiling, systems biology, and immunotherapy research.

EEO

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets