Postdoc in computational antibody therapy design

The Biologics Workstream is actively seeking a skilled computational biologist to enhance our team's capabilities in developing antibody-based therapeutics. This role sits at the intersection of AI, data science, antibody discovery, and characterization thereby necessitating collaboration across various teams specializing in oncology, immunology and advanced computational methods. Your primary objective will be to leverage in silico data to dissect the mode of action (MoA) and assist in the identification of promising antibody candidates.

As a computational biologist within our team, you will be responsible for analyzing large datasets that directly influence our drug discovery and development projects. You'll play a central role in setting up novel models for biologicals, integrate currently available models in our workstream, identify essential parameters for antibody efficacy and drive analytical strategies forward.

Responsibilities

• Integrating and enhancing existing models, thereby capitalizing on recent insights in antibody discovery.
• Generating novel models from in-house generated large datasets.
• Using your understanding of bioinformatics to interpret results, improve the ongoing activities and communicate your findings effectively to a diverse array of scientific professionals.
• Translate your research findings together with a scientific team towards clinical application.
• Diligently document and report scientific findings in patents, academic papers and regulatory submissions.

The current process to develop cancer therapies is expensive, time-consuming and high-risk. More importantly, newly developed therapies are often only effective in a small group of the intended patient population.

The medical, financial, and societal burden of the disease is growing, and so is the demand for effective, safe and personalized treatments. Preclinical development is a crucial step in advancing a new cancer therapy towards clinical application. However, too many of the innovations that make it through the preclinical development process fail in late-stage clinical trials. Therefore, there is a clear need to increase the likelihood of success.

To truly make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, the preclinical development process needs to be revolutionized. Oncode Accelerator is taking on this challenge, driven by a profound commitment to improving patient outcomes. Our novel approach will allow for earlier predictions of cancer therapy effectiveness and safety, leading to a significantly faster process and better patient outcomes.

The role will take place at the interphase between the platform AI and the workstream biologics. You will be embedded within the workstream biologics at the UMC Utrecht, but will often interact with computational experts throughout the Netherlands (Oncode Accelerator, platform AI).

• You have a PhD in computer science, computational biology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics or a related field.
• Possessing at least 2 years of relevant experience either in industry or as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Proficient programming skills are a must.
• Additional expertise in applied statistics, modelling, large language models (LLM), AI, and machine learning techniques is advantageous.
• The preferred candidate will demonstrate a robust background in biology, with particular emphasis on experience in immunology, oncology, and/or antibody/drug development.
• Prior involvement in translational drug development is preferred.
• Displaying enthusiasm, creativity, determination, proactiveness and out-of-the-box thinking, along with a strong ability to work independently.
• Proven experience in multidisciplinary teamwork, capable of bridging computational biology and translational biology, and providing biological interpretations of results to teams with diverse scientific backgrounds.
• Excellent proficiency in both written and verbal English communication.

• A salary between €3493 and €5504 gross per month (salary scale 10), based on full-time employment (36 hours). 
• Year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday allowance of 8%. 
• Pension insurance with ABP. We take care of approximately 70% of the monthly contribution.
• 100% public transport reimbursement. Are you coming on foot, by bike or by car? You will then receive a reimbursement of € 0.18 per km (by car up to a max. of 40 km one way). 
• Possibilities to develop yourself personally and professionally. 
• The option to select additional employment benefits in exchange for gross salary, such as purchasing a bicycle and memberships.