Principal Computational Biologist (Systems Biologist)

We have recently developeda new approachto driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UKs established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUKs 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 inGlasgowandNewcastle University Cancer Research Horizons employs 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds

This is a new role for the team and realchance to make a tangible impact from day one.Utilise yourexpertiseto support CRH in takingtake a bigger more holistic view of cancer. Build robust evidence packages andleveragecutting-edgesystems-level predictivemodellingto uncover the molecular pathways driving cancer development. Youwillbecome an integral part of the Cancer Research Horizon Drug Discovery team helping to progress novel cancer targets towards patient benefit.Furthermore weactively encourage our colleagues to celebrate our science by attending conferences presenting posters giving talks at events and publishing papers.

What will I be doing

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 Leader of our Quantitative Biology teamwe 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 understanding how patient somatic mutations drive the development of cancer and work closely with functional genomics scientists to test novel hypotheses.

In this role you will:

• Set and drive our computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology approaches to support key decisions relating 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.

• Analyse 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 deepexpertisein 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.

Whatarewelooking for

• PhD in bioinformatics data science or equivalent

• Experience within a drug discovery environment (i.e pharmabiotechor 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 tobuild open and honest relationships andinfluence multiplestakeholders.

• Ability to workcollaborativelyacrossprojects and sites also externally

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold:Act with ambitioncourageand determination

Credible:Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together:Act inclusively and collaboratively

Werelooking 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.

Ifyoureinterested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills andexperiencewedstill love to hear from you.

What will I gain

Wecreate a working environment that supports your wellbeing andprovide agenerous benefits package a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Ourpolicies and processes enable you toimprove your work-life balance take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefitsby visitingourcareers web page.