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15-2099.01 · Task explorer

Bioinformatics Technicians: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Apply principles and methods of bioinformatics to assist scientists in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Apply bioinformatics tools to visualize, analyze, manipulate or interpret molecular data. May build and maintain databases for processing and analyzing genomic or other biological information.

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Read the task inventory

This source lists 19 tasks, including 10 marked Core and 9 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

19 tasks shown

Core · Task 17721 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Conduct quality analyses of data inputs and resulting analyses or predictions.

Core · Task 17710 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Confer with researchers, clinicians, or information technology staff to determine data needs and programming requirements and to provide assistance with database-related research activities.

Core · Task 17709 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Analyze or manipulate bioinformatics data using software packages, statistical applications, or data mining techniques.

Core · Task 17714 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Document all database changes, modifications, or problems.

Core · Task 17708 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Monitor database performance and perform any necessary maintenance, upgrades, or repairs.

Core · Task 17717 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Participate in the preparation of reports or scientific publications.

Core · Task 17716 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Maintain awareness of new and emerging computational methods and technologies.

Core · Task 17718 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Test new or updated software or tools and provide feedback to developers.

Core · Task 17722 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Confer with database users about project timelines and changes.

Core · Task 17711 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Create data management or error-checking procedures and user manuals.

Supplemental · Task 17720 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Write computer programs or scripts to be used in querying databases.

Supplemental · Task 17706 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Develop or maintain applications that process biologically based data into searchable databases for purposes of analysis, calculation, or presentation.

Supplemental · Task 17707 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Enter or retrieve information from structural databases, protein sequence motif databases, mutation databases, genomic databases or gene expression databases.

Supplemental · Task 17713 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Develop or apply data mining and machine learning algorithms.

Supplemental · Task 17715 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Extend existing software programs, web-based interactive tools, or database queries as sequence management and analysis needs evolve.

Supplemental · Task 17712 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Design or implement web-based tools for querying large-scale biological databases.

Supplemental · Task 17719 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Train bioinformatics staff or researchers in the use of databases.

Supplemental · Task 17723 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Package bioinformatics data for submission to public repositories.

Supplemental · Task 17724 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Perform routine system administrative functions, such as troubleshooting, back-ups, or upgrades.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.