They are very hard people to find, and their jobs are very lucrative. Programmers sometimes come from the life sciences, but are usually trained in the computer sciences, which typically provide them with better skills in programming, creating Java visualization tools, managing relational databases, or statistical analysis. Analysts, who can have Master's degrees or Ph. D's, may be less fluent in programming or informatics, but have the ability to see the big picture. There's a real need for analysts, particularly with expertise in specific gene families, such as kinases, GPCRs, or proteases.
Plowman regards all three groups as essential.
You can't have holes. You need people who interact and are communicative. We feel out people in telephone interviews first. References help, especially from certain labs. I am also impressed when postdocs working in the life sciences have taken formal courses in informatics at community colleges or other institutions.