Principal Computational Biologist

Cancer Research UK; Stapleford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A major medical research charity based in the UK is seeking an experienced computational biologist. The role involves leading the computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology into drug discovery. You will analyze patient genomic data and collaborate with genomics scientists to develop predictive models. Candidates should hold a PhD and have relevant experience in drug discovery and the use of machine learning tools. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on cancer research.

Benefits

Opportunity to publish and present at conferences

Engaging work environment with strong support

Qualifications

• Experience within a drug discovery environment (pharma, biotech, or academic institute).
• Strategic thinker with proven scientific leadership.
• Experienced in using cancer systems level predictive modelling.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology approaches.
• Analyze patient genomic data to uncover key somatic driver mutations.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership in computational biology.

Skills

Computational biology expertise

Genomic data analysis

Machine learning and AI tools

Programming in Python

Excellent communication skills

Education

PhD in bioinformatics, data science, or equivalent

Tools

Python

Job description

Our new strategy sets out to bring deeper mechanistic understanding at the molecular and cellular level to all stages of projects, from idea to pre-clinical candidate. Reporting directly to the wichtigen Leader of our Quantצרי Bio-חteam, we are looking for an experienced computational biologist to develop a systems level approach to understanding cancer molecular networks to underpin predictive modelling of patient response that moves beyond single-gene biomarkers. In this role you will take a mechanistic, causative approach to understand how patient somatic mutations drive the nodra mment of cancer and work closely with functional genomics scientists to test novel hypotheses.

• Set and drive our computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology approaches to support key decisions related to target ID, target validation, and disease positioning.
• Develop a patient-data focused biomarker strategy underpinned by a systems level understanding of cancer molecular pathways.
• Analyze patient genomic data to uncover key somatic driver mutations and integrate this information with molecular pathways to build a mechanistic understanding of cancer development.
• Provide deep expertise in computational biology and its role in oncology drug discovery.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement for our computational and analytical approaches.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership in computational biology across CRH.
• Communicate effectively to influence multiple stakeholders and collaborate across projects and sites, including externally.
• Promote scientific excellence, through external publication and presentations.
• PhD in bioinformatics, data science, or equivalent.
• Experience within a drug discovery environment (i.e. pharma, biotech or academic institute).
• A strategic thinker with proven scientific leadership, including through matrix management.
• Experienced in the use and development of cancer systems level predictive modelling to uncover the molecular pathways underpinning cancer development.
• Experience of working with oncology patient datasets and using them to test and generate novel hypotheses.
• Experience of integrating multi-omics datasets (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic) to infer molecular pathways involved in driving cancer.
• Experience of using machine learning and AI tools to support a systems level understanding of cancer.
• Programming experience with tools such as Python.
• Experience adhering to good coding hygiene practices such as documentation, testing, and code review.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to describe complex science in an engaging and inclusive manner.
• Ability to build open and honest relationships and influence multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively across projects and sites, also externally.
• We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

Cancer Research Horizons are looking to recruit a passionate scientific professional to set and drive our computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology methodologies into our drug discovery pipeline to motivate key decisions arising in the target ID, target validation, and disease positioning spaces.

About Cancer Research Horizons

As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster. We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world‑class academic network, cutting‑edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success. Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds. This is a new role for the team and a real chance to make a tangible impact from day one. Utilize your expertise to support CRH in taking a bigger, more holistic view of cancer. Build robust evidence packages and leverage cutting‑edge systems‑level predictive modelling to uncover the molecular pathways driving cancer development. You will become an integral part of the Cancer Research Horizon Drug Discovery team helping to progress novel cancer targets towards patient benefit. Furthermore, we actively encourage our colleagues to celebrate our science, by attending conferences, presenting posters, giving talks at events and publishing papers.