Head of Quantitative Biomarker Sciences (all genders)

The global Translational Biomarker department at Evotec supports the discovery and validation of markers enabling better translatability of Evotecs and clients drug discovery and development projects. We are now searching for a

Head of Quantitative Biomarker Sciences (all genders)

Full time and permanent

who will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for transforming discovery and (pre)clinical biomarker data into decision-driving evidence. This leader oversees biomarker data modelling across scales (small scale to big data) establishes and applies QSP models in partnership with Pharmacometrics across sites develops AI/ML approaches for tissue image analytics (IHC/ISH) and delivers integrated analytics of Olink/NULISA panels and multi-omics data paired with clinical outcomes. The role is highly collaborative working closely with AI/ML in silico pathology pharmacometrics clinical development and biostatistics to accelerate therapeutic decision-making and biomarker strategy. The focus is exclusively on clinical and molecular biomarker data and its translation to program strategy and evidence packages.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Quantitative Biomarker Sciences (QBS) strategy across our programs from late-stage discovery to early-stage clinical trials.
• Build lead and develop a high-performing team of scientists and technical specialists; set goals mentor talent and cultivate a culture of open communication scientific excellence and trust
• Establish standards governance and best practices for biomarker data modelling code quality documentation and model lifecycle management.
• Proactively lead the development of statistical and machine learning models for discovery and preclinical biomarker datasets (e.g. longitudinal high-dimensional multimodal).
• Colead QSP model development with Pharmacometrics; align model assumptions parameterization and validation with clinical and translational biology.
• Develop and evaluate AI/ML pipelines for IHC/ISH image analytics (e.g. segmentation cell phenotyping spatial features) and integrate them into biomarker projects including validation against pathology truth sets and clinical endpoints.
• Oversee integrative analyses connecting platforms such as Olink/NULISA and multiple biomarkers with clinical outcomes safety signals PK/PD and exposureresponse.
• Serve as the principal QBS counterpart to Pharmacometrics Clinical Development Biostatistics Pathology AI/ML and in silico modelling teams.
• Provide clear decisionoriented communications and visualizations to study teams governance and external partners in a timely manner. Contribute to study design sample strategy and endpoint selection including assay readiness and analytical performance considerations.
• Lead and/or represent biomarkers biomarker projects (stand-alone) and QBS in external collaborations (CROs academic partners consortia) and within project teams

Qualification

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in Computational Biology Bioinformatics Biostatistics Applied Math Systems Pharmacology or related field
• Extensive experience in quantitative (biomarker) analytics data science pharmacometrics/systems modeling or related domains combined with proven leadership of diverse teams of scientists and/or specialists
• Demonstrated experience with biomarker modeling (e.g. modelling of multiplex data Olink histopathology image analysis multi-omics integration clinical metadata integration) with downstream influence on study or portfolio decisions.
• Deep Know-how and proven experience with AI/ML tools and implementation
• Preferably handson or oversight experience in QSP modelling (e.g. mechanistic hybrid or empirical)
• Expertise in statistical modelling and ML for highdimensional data (e.g. mixed models survival analyses regularized models tree-based and deep learning methods).
• Demonstrated experience with scripting/coding languages such as R and Python
• Understanding of assay characteristics (e.g. LoD precision batch effects) data QC and integration with PK/PD and clinical endpoints.
• Proven ability to lead crossfunctional science set clear priorities and deliver to milestones.
• Exceptional communication skills

Our offer:

• A position within a vigorous and exciting professional environment promoted by an open culture and a spirit of community

• A diverse international workforce with a dynamic working environment that fosters creativity innovations and teamwork

• 30 days of annual holiday monthly allowance for public transportation and in-house canteen

• Capital forming benefits flexible working hours holiday pay and annual bonus depending on performance

To apply please click on the Apply button and provide your application documents (CV and cover letter including earliest possible start date and salary requirements). We are looking forward to getting to know you and to your application.

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité Evotec étudie à compétences égales toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy Evotec considers with equal competences all applications including people with disabilities.