Research Assistant/Associate in Machine Learning Methods Based on Imaging and Omics Applied to [...]

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate to carry out a joint project, co-supervised by Professor Pietro Lio at the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge and Mr Francesco Tuveri and his colleagues at the bioinformatics group, Astex Pharmaceuticals to investigate the use of multimodal machine learning approaches to model both the phenotypic and genetic dynamics of Parkinson's disease. Using brain imaging and molecular data available in patient repositories such as Parkinson Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) and the UK Biobank, the postholder will explore different approaches to blend existing statistical bioinformatics modelling with modern deep learning to develop predictive models of relevant biomarkers for patient subtyping.

The post holder will be based 50% at the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge and 50% at Astex Pharmaceuticals, which will provide a great opportunity to interact with colleagues at the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge, collaborate with the bioinformatics and Machine learning teams at Astex, and gain exposure to a multi-disciplinary pharma environment at Astex.

Main Duties

• To be responsible for all aspects of the research projects, including defining the direction of the work, conducting the research, analysing the data, preparing the work for publications and disseminating the results at meetings.
• To identify, develop and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue the research objectives.
• To keep up to date with developments in the field, proposing or implementing changes of direction as necessary.
• To ensure the research is carried out in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements.

Profile and Skills

• PhD in computer science, bioinformatics, mathematics, or another relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong programming skills in Python and familiarity with git.
• Experience developing machine learning models, ideally with a focus on multimodal representation learning is an advantage.
• Experience working with brain imaging and/or molecular data is desirable.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

About Astex

Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali partnered with Novartis, Balversa partnered with Janssen and Truqap partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology. The role will be part of the Astex Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Research Program. The bioinformatics team at Astex works with multi-disciplinary project teams driving new targets, preclinical and clinical biomarker research, with a focus on multi-omics technologies, statistical analysis, and machine learning approaches.

More information

Applications should include a cover letter, CV, publications list, and contact details for two professional referees.

Please quote reference NR43940 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.