Job Summary:

The Senior Research Officer in Bioinformatics will be an expert in creating, implementing, and using computer tools to analyze complicated biological data from research on agriculture and animal health. This senior position is in charge of improving bioinformatics tools to help NARO's aim of changing farming through cutting-edge scientific research.

About NARO:

The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) is Uganda's top public entity in charge of coordinating, conducting, and sharing agricultural research that supports sustainable development and food security. The National Agricultural Research Act of 2005 set up NARO as a center of scientific excellence known for its cutting-edge work in managing natural resources, growing crops and animals, fishing, and forestry.

Important Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Come up with and build computer programs to analyze biological data
• Use bioinformatics tools to make sense of complicated agricultural research data
• Do an analysis of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data
• Do genome assembly and annotation for use in agriculture.
• Do transcriptome analysis to help with research on crops and livestock.
• Take care of biological databases and make sure the data is correct.
• Make and use scripting solutions in Perl, Python, or R
• Use machine learning to look at biological data.
• Work with research teams on initiatives in computational biology.
• Use bioinformatics to help with research on animal and plant health
• Create and keep up bioinformatics pipelines and processes
• Help write scientific reports and research papers
• Teach younger bioinformatics researchers how to use the methods they use.
• Keep up with new bioinformatics tools and methods.
• Make sure that the data is safe and that the analyses are properly documented.

Skills and Qualifications:

• A master's degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related subject
• A PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in bioinformatics that is relevant
• Experience in research on health, agriculture, or livestock
• Strong skills in programming and managing databases
• Proven experience with NGS data analysis and genome assembly
• Strong skills in transcriptome analysis
• Ability to write scripts in Python, R, or Perl
• Machine learning used in biology (good)
• Age limit: 50 years
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Strong skills in analysis and problem-solving
• A history of publishing research
• The ability to work with others and mentor them
• Knowing what agricultural research is most important
• Skills in seeing and interpreting data
• Skills for managing projects

Skills in Technology:

• Tools for analyzing NGS data
• Tools for assembling and annotating genomes
• Software for transcriptomic analysis
• Programming and scripting languages
• Systems for managing databases
• Frameworks for machine learning
• Statistical analysis software
• Making a bioinformatics pipeline

Requirements for the application:

• Three copies of the NARO Application Form
• A recent passport photo, a detailed CV, and copies of your academic diplomas and testimonies
• The envelope has a visible reference number on it.

How to Apply:

Send your applications to: The Director General National Agricultural Research Organization Plot 11-13, Lugard Avenue P.O.Box 295 Entebbe, Uganda

The last day to apply is November 3, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Only candidates who are on the short list will be contacted through the NARO website, by phone, or by email. Shortlisted candidates must send in certified copies of their academic records. We especially encourage women who meet the requirements to apply. NARO is dedicated to improving science and agriculture in Uganda.