Scientist Systems Biology

Background :

In several of the strategic disease areas where the company is active, it is now believed that drug discovery will provide more robust and safe therapeutics by moving from a reductionist, single target view to an integrative pathway/networks approach.  Recent advances have shown the predictive value of probabilistic network control models that integrate experimental data and biological and disease knowledge.  Combined with interpretational skills based on cellular, molecular and disease biology knowledge, clear gains can be expected from such systems biology approaches in several components of the discovery chain: at its onset, for the identification of therapeutically relevant cellular processes and molecular readouts; after compound selection for the identification of its mechanisms of action and non-pharmacological side effects; and for the early articulation of the benefits of polypharmacology.

The Role

To bridge the gaps between experimental evidence, especially from high-dimensional platforms (-omics), actual scientific knowledge, and objectives of the compound discovery teams, the company wishes to recruit in the Research Informatics & Integrated Genomics group a scientist with skills that combine state-of-the-art computational biology modeling with solidly reasoned interpretation of experimental results in discovery models.

Qualifications

• PhD or MD/PhD in Molecular or Cell Biology or related field.
• A proven track record in experimental disease models is an advantage.
• Experience in the pharma/life science industry is desirable.
• Solid experience and strong understanding of probabilistic computing modeling of (heterogeneous) genome-scale data and biological (pathway) information using, among others, bayesian network methodologies.
• Proficiency in the use of computational and visualization tools for the analysis of high-dimensional data.
• Experience with analysis of biology of the diseased state with the clear ability, while liaising with discovery biologist team members, to identify testable hypotheses to corroborate the proposed biological control system, in a relevant fashion for the therapeutic area goals.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills - the ability to operate in a team setting within a complex, matrix, multicultural environment and to interact with people at all levels within the organization and externally
• Excellent command of English, spoken and written.

Contact: hvvlijme at its.jnj.com