Research Fellow Protein Modeling, Design, and Machine Learning for Discovery Biologics

Job Description

The Biologics Structure and Modeling group is seeking a highly motivated PhD scientist to develop Machine Learning (ML) and/or bioinformatics methods for the discovery of therapeutic biologics. You will collaborate with our Antibody Discovery group by integrating ML and computational protein engineering/design with wet-lab experiments at various throughput levels. The Research Fellow role at Biogen is an 18-month position designed to provide a unique opportunity for scientists to gain exposure to drug discovery and train in an industry research setting.

What you will do:

•         Develop, train and test ML and/or bioinformatics methods that learn determinants of antibody fitness for developability, stability, and/or affinity, and use these to select candidates to carry forward

•         Devise, train, refine, and deploy deep neural network models using public and proprietary sequence, structure, property or function data

•         Collaborate closely with experimental scientists to create a model-test-learn loop

•         Collaborate with internal stakeholders and with external (academia or industry) partners

•         Develop and apply modeling and design strategies for proteins, antibodies or AAV capsids

•         Keep abreast of state-of-the-art technologies in the field

•         Present scientific findings to broad audiences including senior leadership to drive decision making in program teams

This can be a hybrid role but does require regular part-time work on-site so the selected candidate must reside within commuting distance of Cambridge, MA. 

Qualifications

Requirements:

•         PhD in a field related to computational protein design such as Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or Computational Biology

•         Experience with devising and implementing ML methods for protein or antibody modeling or design, or with deep learning methods that relate protein sequence, structure, property or function (e.g., structure prediction, annotation, novel or variant sequence generation, property prediction, directed evolution, etc.)

•         Strong communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills

•         Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals

•         Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills

•         Independent and curious self-starter

•         Legal authorization to work in the U.S.

This position is an 18 month Research Fellow position.  

Additional Information

Biologics Structure and Modeling is a highly cross-functional team that primarily supports Biologics Drug Discovery by solving protein apo and complex structures (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR), by computationally or rationally modeling, engineering, or designing biologics, and by advising our stakeholders on structural aspects of protein-protein interactions and how mutations affect biology. Beyond Biologics Drug Discovery, and as part of a four-modality company (therapeutic biologics, small molecules, gene therapy, and antisense oligonucleotides), we partner with colleagues in gene therapy, computational chemistry, and computational biology, supporting Biogen portfolio programs across all therapeutic areas including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis.

As pioneers in neuroscience, Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological diseases as well as related therapeutic adjacencies. One of the world’s first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Sir Kenneth Murray, and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Today, Biogen has a leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, has introduced the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and developed the first and only approved treatment to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen is also commercializing biosimilars and focusing on advancing one of the industry’s most diversified pipelines in neuroscience that will transform the standard of care for patients in several areas of high unmet need.

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.