Associate Principal Scientist, Bioinformatician

Are you a forward-thinking and curious statistician with skills in large scale omic analysis or experience in clinical genomics analysis? Do you also want to improve the way we discover and develop medicines? Welcome to join AstraZeneca!

We are looking for an experienced statistical geneticist to join our Data Science & Bioinformatics team. You will be part of the Translational Science and Experimental Medicine (TSEM) department in the Respiratory and Immunology therapeutic area. As a department we promote an open and collaborative atmosphere, with a culture that is both science-based and patient-focused. Our mission is to understand disease mechanisms at the molecular level, identify the most effective target and the right patient population.

This role is located at one of our sites in either Gothenburg (Sweden) or Gaithersburg/Waltham (US).

Be encouraged and supported to think creatively in our dynamic environment. Here we are free from fear of failure, free to ask the right questions and make bold decisions. We harness digital, data science & AI to fast-forward our research. Making sure work born in a lab can make a real difference, every day, impacting patients' lives across the world.

What you will do
For this role we are looking for an outstanding data scientist to enable translational science via integration of omics, clinical, real world evidence and literature data to deliver precision medicine within our pipeline, as well as identify novel patient groups through data mining of large cohort omic clinical data sets.

You will contribute to the computational biology and genomic strategies and be responsible for the design, refinement, application and interpretation of novel approaches to analyse large-scale genomics data accompanied by rich biomarker, phenotype and disease case/control data available through clinical trials or biobank collections. By applying these state-of-the-art statistical methods, you will maximise the knowledge extrapolated from our growing genomics data in complex diseases impacting the project progression and future treatment options for patients with unmet medical needs.

In this role, you will work in a highly cross-functional and thriving environment together with specialists in sequencing, immunological and respiratory disease, as well as data science & bioinformatics experts.

Depending on your previous experience, your initial career level will be an Associate Principal Scientist or Senior Scientist.

Essential for the role

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MSc with extensive industry experience, or preferably, PhD or equivalent in statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, bioinformatics or another similar subject area.
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Expertise in large-scale genomic and phenotypic data analysis to derive biological insight across all aspects of the portfolio ((e.g. rare-variant burden/collapsing analyses, common-variant GWAS, pathway analysis, Mendelian randomisation and others) as you will be responsible for designing and performing analysis, interpretation and communication of results.
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Outstanding communication and collaboration skills, both with experts and non-experts.
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A good knowledge level in life sciences and understanding of how genomics can impact drug discovery will be a minimum requirement. Experience from applying this across different phases of pharmaceutical discovery and development is a preference.
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Excellent coding skills in Python, R, or similar language appropriate for large scale genomics analysis and experience with version control (Git/Bitbucket)
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Track record of applying bioinformatic analysis to drive projects in drug discovery or development in an industrial or academic setting.

Our team is a collaborative group, so the ability to be comfortable working in a goal-oriented way, with a team focused approach is central to be successful in the role. Furthermore, you have great communication skills, a high degree of independence and a proactive and delivery focused approach.

Desirable for the role

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Broad experience applying ML methods such as random forests, clustering, dimensionality reduction in a systems biology or systems medicine context.
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Experience in pharmaceutical R&D and knowledge of relevant disease areas, and experience in precision medicine.
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Post-doc experience or otherwise relevant data science research experience.
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Working in a Linux environment, ideally with experience of cluster or cloud computing (e.g. AWS or Azure).

Work policy

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working give us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Why AstraZeneca?
AstraZeneca is a global, BioPharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, it is safe to share and learn from each other - ours is an inclusive environment. Where difference is recognised and uniqueness is valued.


What's next?
If you are ready to make a difference - apply today, and we'll make it happen together! We welcome your application (including CV and cover letter), no later than August 31, 2023. If you're curious to know more about the position, please get in touch with hiring manager Daniel Muthas at Daniel.muthas(@)astrazeneca.com