In general, positions labeled as "analyst" will be applying tools other people have created. Positions labeled as "developer" will be writing new tools. However, you shouldn't count on that, as sometimes job titles are written by people with no idea about bioinformatics. I'd expect the Bioinformatics Systems Administrator to be responsible for keeping the tools and the computers the tools run on up and running.

Research assistants and associates are usually BS/MS level jobs. Scientist jobs usually require a PhD. But neither of these rules is absolute.

A project manager is responsible for putting together the project schedule and keeping the project on track. Whether a PhD is required or not is quite variable, and will usually correlate with whether the project manager is also expected to be the technical lead on the project.

The Director/Head of Bioinformatics is a management job. In a larger company, this person probably has almost no time for direct involvement in projects. In a smaller company, he/she is probably still hands on at least some of the time.

Salaries are all over the place. About all I'd hazard to guess there is that the Director is making the most money, but even that is not a sure bet.

Career Tracks in Science and Technology

In my experience, titles are determined to a large extent by HR guidelines, which are as much about future advancement as starting salary. That said, I would break down as below. Generally speaking, I've ordered the job titles within heading, as well as major headings, on relative salary expectations. There are some wildcards, like the Principal Scientist who can often make a bundle. YMMV...

Analyst

• Intern
• Analyst I
• Analyst II
• Analyst III
• Senior Analyst
• Principal Analyst

Scientist

• Intern
• Research Assistant
• Research Associate
• Postdoc*
• Associate Scientist
• Staff Scientist*
• Research Fellow*
• Senior Scientist*
• Principal Scientist*

Technologist

• Intern
• Developer
• Engineer I
• Systems Administrator
• Senior Developer
• Engineer II
• Bioinformatician I
• Bioinformatician II
• Engineer III
• Bioinformatician III*
• Architect

Management

• Intern
• Project Manager
• Senior Project Manager
• Manager
• Associate Director
• Director*

*often require Ph.D.

I think most of positions will have a brief, yet concise description that will explain the necessary qualification required for a particular position. I think the requirement depends on the nature of positions and there is no specific /systematic rule applies for different category of positions.

I would recommend to call the people behind a job description for further information. In the past I had good experiences with calling for clarification. Once I even got a job offer while asking about the job posted :) Writing a job description for a vacancy is not always that easy. I am pretty sure that employers would be happy to clarify. If not, you prob don't want the job at all.