Senior Scientist – Bioinformatics and Data Scientist for Biocatalysis

Senior Scientist – Bioinformatics and Data Scientist for Biocatalysis   

Location:Cambridge, UK

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we are pioneering new frontiers by identifying and treating patients earlier, working towards the aim of eliminating cancer as a cause of death.

One of our core departments, Early Chemical Development (ECD), specialises in early-phase Drug Substance Manufacturing, taking projects from discovery chemistry through to Phase II clinical trials. Our team skills spans process chemistry, analytical chemistry, crystallization, process design, route design, biocatalysis and much more.

Come and join our AZ team where you will play a pivotal role in this exciting period of development!

We are seeking a passionate Senior Scientist – Bioinformatics and Data Scientistfor biocatalysis to join the Biocatalysis Enzyme Discovery and Engineering Team within ECD at the DISC. In this role, you will provide support for enzyme discovery and engineering activities, for early but also late portfolio projects, increasing capabilities for the team. Using your expertise in bioinformatics, you will support the design and optimisation of enzymes to establish efficient sustainable biocatalytic processes.

This role is based at AstraZeneca’s Cambridge DISC R&D Hub and involves advanced computational work using tools, software and platforms to contribute to groundbreaking enzyme design and drive innovation. You will collaborate with internal and external partners in a highly multidisciplinary environment to deliver timely biocatalytic solutions. AstraZeneca also provides access to internal AI-driven chemistry and protein science specialists, ensuring a dynamic and highly multidisciplinary environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading bioinformatics and molecular modelling activities for enzyme design and engineering.

• Supporting enzyme variant data management across projects and driving our Biocatalysis management data strategy.

• Working collaboratively to link and co-develop database and dashboard solution for computational results used in drug project development.

• Designing diverse enzyme panels using genome/database mining and advanced bioinformatics approaches

• Develop and maintain data analysis pipelines and data management for high throughput screening and sequencing data

• Providing multi-functional bioinformatics expertise to biocatalysis teams company-wide, from discovery to commercial manufacturing.

• Collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure innovative technologies in enzyme design.

• Integrating biocatalytic routes into chemical retrosynthetic software.

• Facilitating tech transfer to external CMOs/CROs for biocatalytic step development and manufacturing campaigns.

• Driving innovation through participation in cross-functional networks and integrating biocatalytic methods into workflow improvements.

• Staying ahead of advancements within biocatalysis and bioinformatics, sharing insights within the team.

• Adhering to Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), compliance, and quality standards in all aspects of the role.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in biocatalysis, bioinformatics, molecular modelling computational chemistry or data sciences with extensive experience in the field.

• Strong expertise in protein structure analysis, design, and simulation tools, including:

  • Structure prediction

  • Molecular dynamics simulations

  • Docking

  • In silico protein design

• Expertise in protein sequence analysis and evolution and well as the use of Schrodinger, Rosetta, AlphaFold

• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python)

• Familiarity with statistical analysis and modern data science tools.

• Experience in data science and data management

• Experience in Machine Learning applied to protein design

• Ability to work on linux-based HPC systems

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Collaborative, team-focused approach, with conform in interacting with highly multidisciplinary and diverse teams.

Desirables:

• PhD (or equivalent) in computational structural biology, such as Computational Chemistry, Molecular Modelling, Biophysics.

• Postdoctoral or industrial experience in relevant subject areas.

• Experience in enzyme panel design

• Solid understanding of biochemistry, biocatalysis, molecular biology and directed evolution

• Experience in analysing big set of data including NGS sequence processing.

• Experience in database creation and management (e.g. SQL)

• Previous experience collaborating with molecular biologists, microbiologists, biochemists and organic chemists.

• Understanding of patent and IP strategies.

In Office Requirement:

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That’s why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn’t mean we’re not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world. 

Why AstraZeneca?

Join the team unlocking the power of what science can do. We are working towards treating, preventing, modifying and even curing some of the world's most complex diseases. Here we have the potential to grow our pipeline and positively impact the lives of billions of patients around the world. It's our combination of curiosity and courage that drives us, inspired by the possibility of doing things that have never been done before. Empowered to step up, we free ourselves from fear of failure to dig deep into the biology of complex diseases and make bold decisions. Celebrating our successes and failures along the way.

Competitive salary and benefits package on offer.

The successful candidate will have access to a flexible employee benefits fund, including holiday purchase and flexible time off, pension contributions, Share Save Plans, A performance recognition scheme and a competitive, generous remuneration package.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.