Associate Principal Scientist – Data Modelling and Informatics Specialist Salary: competitive Location: Cambridge, Gothenburg, Sweden or Boston, USA

If you’re used to developing and applying informatics and modelling in the development of drugs, you could soon be part of an exciting new department at AstraZeneca. That’s because our Transitional Safety team needs an Associate Principal Scientist – Data Modelling and Informatics Specialist to join them and play a pivotal role in defining the way they use data and technology in the future.

The Translational Safety team is responsible for running and interpreting cutting edge in vivo and in vitro systems for key target organs. This provides us with a wealth of information requiring identification of early predictors and patterns of activity associated with adverse drug events. A rare chance to be part of a new and growing team, we’re investing in a new, state-of-the-art research centre and corporate headquarters in Cambridge too, so it's a great time to join us.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a Data Modelling and Informatics Specialist, you’ll be responsible for developing and applying bioinformatics and systems pharmacology/toxicology techniques to evaluate and translate in vivo safety findings from preclinical species into patient populations. You’ll also interface with, and support, modelling and simulation scientists in providing holistic and quantitative safety risk assessments.

Your main focus will be on developing and implementing informatics approaches in the preclinical safety space. You’ll also apply systems pharmacology and data mining to in vivo and in vitro pharmacology data to identifying predictors of safety liabilities that can be applied to support projects. Managing development and implementation data platforms and dashboards for in vivo pharmacology and modelling data in conjunction with informatics specialists in DSM and our Research Informatics department will be important too. And, all the while, you’ll engage with a variety of key stakeholders and collaborators to identify opportunities, build support and deliver innovative informatics solutions.

Essential requirements

• A PhD level education in a relevant discipline, with a focus on quantitative principles in biology (e.g. Bioinformatics, Physical Sciences and/or Biomedical Engineering)
• Extensive experience in the area of Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or Systems Toxicology and good knowledge of data mining and machine learning
• A background in systems biology, toxicology or pharmacology, with experience of modelling in vivo or clinical data an advantage
• Programming experience using Python, Perl, R, Matlab, etc.
• A proven ability to mentor junior colleagues and ensure all work is compliant with good Laboratory Practice, Safety, Health and Environment Standards and al other relevant standards and regulations.

Desirable requirements

• Experience of dynamic Modelling and Simulation (Quantitative Pharmacology, Systems Biology, Pharmacometrics and PK/PD Modelling).

Applications open: Monday 27 April 2015. Applications close: Friday 29 May 2015. 
Apply here