Advances in AI, data, and computational sciences are transforming drug discovery and development. Roche’s Research and Early Development organisations at Genentech (gRED) and Pharma (pRED) have demonstrated how these technologies accelerate R&D, leveraging data and novel computational models to drive impact. Seamless data sharing and access to models across gRED and pRED are essential to maximising these opportunities. The new Computational Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) is a strategic, unified group whose goal is to harness this transformative power of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist our scientists in both pRED and gRED to deliver more innovative and transformative medicines for patients worldwide. The Analytics and Workflows group within the Center of Excellence (CoE) is dedicated to turning complex data into actionable insights that advance drug discovery and development. Despite advances in these fields, however, transforming raw data and computational models into meaningful biological insights remains a key challenge. In this role, you’ll work at the intersection of data science, biology, and engineering to build innovative analytical tools that bridge the gap between data generation and biological interpretation—helping unlock new avenues for scientific discovery and impact.
Requirements
- You have expert knowledge of a modern bioinformatics workflow language (WDL, Nextflow, CWL or snakemake) and have deployed workflows in HPC or cloud environments
- You are an expert in variant calling and variant interpretation from short and long reads using traditional and novel deep learning methods.
- You have successfully analyzed large cohorts using an automated workflow system and were involved in all aspects of the process from data acquisition, over workflow development to data processing and interpretation.
- You have successfully delivered multiple software projects throughout the whole development cycle (planning, implementation, testing, release, maintenance) following modern software development practices.
- You are able to break down large problems into smaller software components and can develop them independently or as part of a large team.
- You have strong experience in the use of a high-level, object oriented programming language such as Python, Go, R or Java and a strong understanding of Linux/Unix.
- You have knowledge of best practices for software engineering including but not limited to IaC, CI/CD, and software containerization and can develop, deploy and optimize solutions on several levels of the software stack.
Responsibilities
- establish a suite of workflows and tools for the characterization of cell lines for our growing cell therapies portfolio.
- evaluate, refine, and productionize genomic workflows and incorporate the results into our data platform.
- make use of and are an expert in state of the art variant calling workflows and can interpret the results in a variety of biological contexts.
- communicate your results in scientific discussions, create automated reports and sophisticated data bases and tools allowing for deep analysis of cell lines.
- confidently evaluate and combine open-source, commercial and in-house developed solutions.
- collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of Software Engineers, Computational Biology and Data Scientists to develop scientific workflows and tools that make this data available to machines and humans using a variety of interfaces.
Other
- You have a PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or similar and 2 years of relevant experience in a clinical, academic or commercial setting. Alternatively, a Masters degree or equivalent and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
- Experience in managing data according to FAIR principles as well as tracking data lineage, ensuring data quality and improving data discovery is a plus as well as experience with data standards used by large genomics consortia.
- You are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, and with handling several concurrent, fast-paced projects.
- You are able to execute technical projects at global scale, across multiple teams and time zones.
- You have a strategic, analytical mindset and ability to innovate using technology to advance business goals.
- You have strong communication skills and can untangle and discuss complex technical tasks.
- Prior experience in a life science or drug development environment is beneficial.
- This position requires working onsite 3 days per week.
- Relocation benefits are available for this posting.
