Postdoctoral Fellow: Using machine learning to predict protein stability in drug development

Start your career in a global biopharmaceutical company that wins through science – one that thinks boldly, does things differently, seizes opportunities for change and makes them happen. With an unparalleled product portfolio and a strong pipeline, we’re relentless in our pursuit of discovery and our quest to turn ideas into life-changing medicines that meet unmet patient needs. Join us and begin to think big. Discover the full potential of what science can do. Help tackle some of today’s most challenging diseases. Make a difference to patients and society. In return, we’ll ensure you develop in an outstanding programme with the support of managers and industry experts in a dynamic, innovative and collaborative environment. Postdoctoral Fellow: Using machine learning to predict protein stability in drug development Gaithersburg, Maryland (US) Competitive Salary, Bonus & Benefits Do you have expertise in and passion for biological drug development or data science and machine learning? Would you like to apply your expertise to make an impact in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life-changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you! About AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-centred biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than a global leading pharmaceutical company. At AstraZeneca, we‘re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work and empowering employees to push the boundaries of science and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference in medicine, patients, and society. About the Postdoc Programme: Bring your expertise, apply your knowledge, follow the science, and make a difference. AstraZeneca’s Postdoc Programme is for self-motivated individuals looking to tackle exciting, high-impact projects in a collaborative, engaging and innovative environment. You'll work with peers and professionals from a diverse set of backgrounds and a world-class academic mentor specifically aligned to your project. We'll help you develop valuable networks which support your research and future career development! AstraZeneca Postdocs are respected as specialists and encouraged to speak up. They lead ground-breaking drug discovery and development research projects. Our vibrant, multi-disciplinary scientific teams empower and support our Postdocs. We encourage them to share their research at conferences, publish papers, achieve their goals and make a difference to our patients. You'll learn from industry leaders working on innovative research across our organization. In addition, our Postdoc Training Programme will support you to develop transferrable skills from influencing others to shaping the agenda to data analysis. This is a 3 year programme, with an initial 2 year period and 1 year, merit-based extension. About the Opportunity: As a Postdoctoral Fellow, this research project provides you with an exciting opportunity to incorporate machine learning and AI for biopharmaceutical drug development. You will learn about key aspects of drug development achievements that are applied to any molecule or therapy area. You will also deliver ground-breaking science on monoclonal antibodies and novel modalities. The goal is to connect pharmaceutical science with AI for prediction tools that enable learning beyond what is done in traditional data analysis. This will be achieved under the supervision of Indira Prajapati (Senior Scientist, Late Stage Formulation Sciences) and Mehdi Boroumand (Senior Data Scientist, BPD Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence) at AstraZeneca. In addition, there will be academic guidance from Professor Theodore Randolph (University of Colorado Boulder). Qualification, Skills & Experience: Essential Requirements PhD in Biochemistry / Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Pharmaceutical Sciences/ Biophysics/ Computer Science or a related field in Science and Technology Good understanding of biological molecules Ability to learn fast and become comfortable with ambiguity Proven track record of independent research Desirable Requirements Understanding of machine learning tools and approaches Experience coding in Python, R, or other programming languages Familiarity with deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch Familiarity with Convolutional Neural Networks for image analysis Knowledge of biological molecules’ source of instability and shelf-life determination Knowledge of drug product development process Why should you apply? For candidates with a data science background, this project provides not just exposure but mentorship on key aspects of drug development. The knowledge and skills you develop could help you build a career in biopharma, or take that understanding back for more AI-focused research in academia. For candidates with a drug development background, this opportunity will provide you with training on machine learning and AI tools for the interpretation, evaluation, and prediction of data. As Machine Learning and AI continue to have a growing impact on biopharmaceuticals, these valuable skills will be extremely useful in your future career. Ready for an exciting, rewarding challenge? Apply today! Date Posted 03-Jan-2023 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. AstraZeneca requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 but will consider requests for reasonable accommodations as required by applicable law.