Senior Computational Geneticist

Pfizer
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Competitive
January 22 2021
4801185
Full Time
Pharma
ROLE SUMMARY

The advance of human genetics in recent years driven by the large scale human genome-sequencing and genome-wide association in multiple disease areas has provided the research community and pharmaceutical industry an unprecedented ability to utilize this information and technology to facilitate innovative drug discovery and development. Human genetics is sufficiently mature to aid the drug discovery process in several important areas.

A combination of genetic epidemiology, quantitative genetics, computational biology, functional genomics and other 'omics data is facilitating our ability to identify mechanisms, indications, patients and biomarkers, guided by an evidence base in humans.

Within the Internal Medicine Research Unit (IMRU), one of the key strategic focus areas is identifying novel therapies to improve metabolic homeostasis in patients suffering from a range of metabolic diseases, including NAFLD, NASH, diabetes, obesity, and abnormalities in cardiac metabolism.The integrative biology team is part of IMRU and is focused on integrating human genetics and human biology, functional genetics, computational biology to support target identification, target validation and drug discovery.

The IMRU Integrative Biology Team group is looking for an expert in human genetics with sound knowledge of applying quantitative methods to human genetics and genomics as tools to integrate human genetics evidence of gene-disease associations for target discovery/validation, biomarker/indication identification and patient stratification through genetic association and other 'omics analyses.

The ideal candidate will also work with our external partners and collaborators to help manage external collaborations, ensure the delivery of high quality data during specified timelines, and to incorporate results into target identification and validation.

The applied human genetics scientist position offers an opportunity to execute science-based drug discovery within one of the world's leading developers of human therapeutics, at Pfizer's Kendall Square research facility in Cambridge Massachusetts.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Provide quantitative genetics expertise and conduct analyses to derive impactful results through interactions with biologists within the Internal Medicine Research Unit.
  • Provide expertise and quantitative skills on the application of genetics and functional genomics to inform project teams in:
    - Identification of novel therapeutic targets.
    - Review and validation of therapeutic hypotheses.
    - Mechanistic understanding of disease pathogenesis and causal pathways.
    - Innovative approaches to identifying mechanism related biomarkers via integrating genetics with clinical and omic datasets.
    - Identification of potential disease indications.
    - Matching novel therapies to patients with relevant disease sub-types.
  • Ensure high-quality genetic and 'omics data is incorporated into exploratory research by interacting with internal partners in statistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, clinicians, and project leaders to drive genetic data analysis, data integration, and genetic methodology.
  • Work in collaboration with research biologists and project teams to identify the best opportunities to translate genetic and related data to inform and prioritize assets in the portfolio; and with clinical teams to inform optimum patient selection, stratification and trial design.
  • Manage, develop and maintain internal and external collaborative projects to specified timelines and milestones.
  • Communicate study findings and analyses with internal partners, leadership, administration, and collaborators.
  • Manage, support and promote relationships with the external community that can add value to target selection and validation at Pfizer.


BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Background in biological and/or quantitative sciences; PhD and post-doctoral experience in genetics, statistical genetics, or genetic epidemiology with two years relevant experience.
  • Sound statistical and quantitative skills, with knowledge of epidemiological principals and population-based research.
  • Experience managing large projects, collaborations, or consortia.
  • Deep and abiding curiosity about biological and pathological processes and mechanisms.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Background in human biology/medicine, with some knowledge of disease pathophysiology for metabolic disease highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in programming, scripting, querying or statistical analysis languages such as R, python, perl, SQL.
  • Track record of innovative and impactful research in genetics of complex traits, including peer-reviewed publications.
  • Experience analyzing genetic data sets and integrating additional data types to further clinical and biological understanding.
  • Evidence of scientific leadership role with responsibility for research project delivery.
  • Familiarity with genetics platforms as well as experience in at least one other 'omics technologies (e.g. metabolomics, lipidomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics).
  • Able to effectively interact and communicate with multidisciplinary scientists, researchers, and non-scientists- internally and externally; excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills essential.
  • Demonstrates ability to identify, propose and develop new analytical concepts.
  • Able to both lead and support teams, multi-task and prioritize amongst competing time-sensitive projects, as part of a multi-disciplinary matrix team.
  • Able to work effectively as part of a research team, while being innovative, entrepreneurial, and proactive.
  • Willingness to learn new skills and be "change agile"


Other Job Details:
  • Last Date to Apply for Job: February 22, 2021
  • Eligible for Relocation Package: YES
  • Eligible for Employee Referral Bonus: YES


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