Senior Bioinformatics Engineer

Northreach; Oxford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Bioinformatics Engineer to conceptualize and implement data analysis strategies for advancing a company's ERAP1 inhibitor-driven pipeline. This role involves analyzing extensive datasets to identify targets for therapeutic development, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and leading analytical projects. Candidates should have a PhD in bioinformatics or a related field and strong skills in mass spectrometry-based data processing, statistical programming, and machine learning. Experience with NextFlow and Docker is preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in bioinformatics, immunology, or computational biology.
• In-depth knowledge of mass spectrometry-based data acquisition and processing.
• Strong knowledge of machine learning and statistical modeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain high-quality nextflow pipelines for mass spectrometry data.
• Define objectives and perform statistical analysis of assays.
• Lead analytical aspects of projects, including data preparation and analysis.

Skills

Mass spectrometry-based proteomics

Statistical programming

Machine learning

R programming

Python programming

Bioinformatics analysis

Linux OS and shell scripting

Analytical pipelines using NextFlow

Education

PhD in bioinformatics or related field

Tools

NextFlow

Docker

AWS

Job description

About the job Senior Bioinformatics Engineer

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in the Advanced Therapies sector. Our mission is to provide a seamless and personalised recruitment experience for clients and candidates, and to create a positive work environment that encourages equality, innovation, and professional growth.

Company Summary

My client is a leader in the field of antigen modulation through the inhibition of ERAP enzymes, critical components of the antigen presentation pathway. The Company has an ERAP1 inhibitor for immuno-oncology, currently in Phase I/II clinical trials. In addition, they have nominated a second ERAP1 inhibitor, expected to enter Phase I for autoimmune indications in 2025. The Company is also advancing a hit-to-lead program targeting ERAP2 and is actively exploring the translational potential of ERAP enzyme inhibition through antigen discovery programs, identifying novel ERAP1 inhibitor-generated antigens for future therapeutic targets, including TCRs and vaccines.

Role Summary

The Senior Bioinformatician will play a pivotal role in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of innovative data analysis strategies to advance the Companys ERAP1 inhibitor-driven antigen discovery pipeline. The successful candidate will analyze extensive proprietary datasets, including immunopeptidomic, transcriptomic, and genomic data, to identify ERAP1 inhibitor-dependent targets for the development of MHC class I therapeutics. The candidate will collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary scientific team, overseeing all aspects from in-silico antigen discovery to experimental validation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing and maintaining high-quality nextflow pipelines for processing large-scale mass spectrometry data.
• Define objectives and perform statistical analysis of data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) immunopeptidomics assays.
• Conduct analysis of parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) peptide assays.
• Integrate antigen discovery workflows with transcriptomic and genomic data.
• Leverage external resources and databases to enhance internal workflows and improve target prioritization.
• Stay at the forefront of scientific advances in mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics and antigen presentation, including software and new methodologies.
• Lead and manage analytical aspects of projects, including data preparation, analysis, and visualization.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform experimental design.
• Communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, internally and externally.

Support Functions

• Act as a key member of the multidisciplinary core team to contribute to the company's overarching goals.
• Participate in strategic discussions related to bioinformatics in R&D.
• Assist in generating presentation materials for external communications.

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership by adhering to and promoting company policies, including data security protocols.
• Complete all required GXP/SOP training and comply with relevant SOP requirements.
• Uphold and embody the company's values.

Experience & Skills

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in bioinformatics, immunology, computational biology, or a related field.
• In-depth knowledge of mass spectrometry-based proteomics data acquisition and processing, with familiarity in data-dependent and data-independent methods preferred.
• Strong knowledge of machine learning and/or multivariate statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in statistical programming and building statistical models.
• Expertise in R or Python programming.
• Extensive experience in large-scale bioinformatics analysis of omics data.
• Proficient in Linux OS and shell scripting.
• Experience with building and running analytical pipelines using NextFlow and Docker.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and record findings efficiently and in compliance with standards.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying complex topics to diverse audiences.
• Proven success working in multidisciplinary scientific teams (desirable).
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS) is a plus.
• Deep understanding of antigen processing (desirable).
• Prior research experience in an industrial setting (desirable).
• Knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, or immunology (desirable).

Northreach is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and hiring practices, therefore only partner with businesses that promote DEI. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.