Acerta Pharma is a Haematological Oncology R&D centre of expertise of AstraZeneca. We are dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines and healthcare solutions that enrich the lives of patients. Our goal is to be at the forefront of developing the next generation of cancer therapies.

As part of the ambitious expansion plans of the research site in Oss, The Netherlands, we have an exciting opportunity for a talented and experienced Bioinformatics scientist with strong expertise in cancer genomics to join our Discovery Biology group. 

You will work with AstraZeneca’s global Oncology teams to drive the application of foundational and innovative techniques in bioinformatics in support of applying cutting-edge approaches to accelerate the drug discovery process in the field of haematological malignancies.

Associated Principal Scientist, Bioinformatics
Oss, Netherlands
Fulltime 

Your challenge
As Associated Principal Scientist Bioinformatics you are accountable for directing the application of novel informatics solutions to drive the interrogation of complex datasets to accelerate discovery and enable decision making that drives R&D projects in the area of haematological malignancies. This includes processing and analysis of genomic, transcriptomic proteomic, and phenotypic datasets and support the characterisation of preclinical models and clinical samples from patients participating in our clinical trials. 

What will you be doing?
•    You will take a leading role in the development of new approaches that enable the identification and characterisation of tumour drivers and biomarkers of response and resistance as starting point for drug discovery. 
•    You will design and apply innovative computational/statistical algorithms and visualisations to generate actionable biological insight from omics data, discover, validate, and develop new molecular target, mechanism and biomarker hypotheses, link multi-omic data sets from patients and in vitro/vivo models as well as interpret proprietary and public data spanning multiple platforms.
•    You will lead the development and application of standardised bioinformatic approaches to the analysis and interpretation of high throughput genomics data.
•    You will work as part of various discovery project teams to contribute to the progression of new medicines toward and through clinic, using data from clinical trials in combination with preclinical models (e.g. (functional) genomics screens, PDXs, cell line models).
•    You will proactively engage in knowledge sharing, coach and provide support to your peers, including training our bench science community to build expertise in the tools crucial to Oncology bioinformatics.
•    Collaborate with industry and academia, and utilise external resources to find effective solutions to accelerate the drug discovery.

What do you bring?
•    Relevant PhD degree in Computational Biology or Bioinformatics and demonstrated experience in molecular biology, life sciences, or related discipline.
•    A minimum of 5-7 year relevant experience in a similar role.
•    Demonstrated track record of successful implementation of bioinformatics tools for scientific data management and analysis of large datasets. (e.g. from next generation sequencing applications and gen/protein interactions works, Omics-type data) and harmonising different types of data sets for analyses. 
•    Experience and a deep understanding of the design, development, optimisation, and scaling of informatics applications and solutions. 
•    Expertise in querying mining and interpreting cancer variants from public resources (TCGA, CBio-Portal).
•    Expertise in differential gene expression analysis and pathway enrichment tools.
•    Experience in novel methods development and applications is a pre.
•    Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively in a global organisation with a broad range of scientists across multiple disciplines.
•    A good understanding of the pharmaceutical drug discovery process.

What do we offer
•    A dynamic, innovative, growing and international working environment in a global science-driven organisation with a leading role in developing novel treatments for oncological malignancies. 
•    The opportunity to work in a vibrant, diverse and international team, where you can learn and grow and have the opportunity to play a key role in the discovery and development of future medicines that make a difference in patient lives. 
•    Good salary and benefits including 8% holiday allowance, 25 days holiday (full time basis). Collective pension with fixed percentage own contribution, bonus scheme. Well-being of our colleagues is important to us, therefore you can become a gym member with an offered discount or participate in our bicycle plan.
•    We offer you a one year contract with the intention of extending this to an indefinite period after one year.

Acerta Pharma
At our international headquarters in Oss, the Netherlands, we are working hard to develop new treatment options for patients with specific types of (blood) cancer. Together with our colleagues of AstraZeneca in San Francisco, Boston and Cambridge (UK) we are committed to innovative drug research and development, especially in the field of hematological oncology. Acerta has received approval from both the US (FDA) and the European Regulator (EMA) for its small molecule BTK inhibitor for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). In addition, AstraZeneca and Acerta Pharma are collaborating on a large number of other innovative medicines with small molecules and biologic drugs to treat certain haematological malignant diseases.

How to apply:
We would like to receive your English CV. In order to apply, go to the apply button at the bottom of this vacancy. You can upload your CV and cover letter at the bottom of the second page.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, our Recruitment team (Karin Raadschelders, Caroline van Oppen, Maaike Willems) can be reached via info@werkenbijacertapharma.nl or on +31(0)85 - 047 0244.

Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.