Senior Research Scientist in Image Analysis
Locations: Cambridge, UK
Competitive salary & excellent benefits
Be empowered to be innovative and creative where difference is valued
Join a place built on innovation and creativity. Where different views and perspectives are welcomed and valued. An environment that champions inclusion, and teams that reflect the diversity of the communities that we serve.
Embrace new and varied opportunities to develop and learn
Embrace an environment built on lifelong learning. Never complacent, we seek opportunities to expand our knowledge.
The place to build a long-term meaningful career.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science methods are transforming all sectors and industries. In the Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology department, within Discovery Sciences, we are combining these methods with domain knowledge and biological expertise to make life-changing medicines and change patients' lives.
As a Data Scientist in Image Analysis, you will be largely working at the early stages of drug discovery with cellular images captured with microscopes (fluorescently stained or bright field samples). You will develop and apply image and data analysis methods to answer biological questions, from small-scale bespoke experiments to large-scale high throughput screening campaigns. In addition, you will work closely with biologists and scientists from other disciplines, to maximise the insight gained from high content imaging screens. You are able to seek opportunities and influence at all levels, from lab biologists to business leaders, and engage externally via publications and conference presentations. You should be equipped with modern image processing methods in image segmentation, pattern recognition and other machine learning and AI methods.
What you will do
You will be working very closely with experimental and biological colleagues, in the design, application and interpretation of image processing algorithms and downstream data processing projects and tasks. You will be primarily working with cellular images captured under wide-field and confocal microscopes (fluorescent stained or bright field); nonetheless, you may also support image processing tasks from other image modalities when opportunities arise. Typical tasks include image segmentation, quantification, enhancement, reconstruction, clustering and classifications. You will be working closely with biologists, chemists and scientists from other disciplines, and you will need to communicate quantitative concepts and data to non-experts in a clear and concise way to influence decision-making. Given the interdisciplinary nature of this role, you are also expected to have some understanding of, or the interests to learn about, cell biology and cellular screening workflows.
Responsibilities:
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Using image and data analytical methods, to work with drug discovery projects and therapeutic areas to identify and deliver solutions for addressing key biological questions.
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Build and internalise algorithms and techniques to define and answer questions using suitable software packages.
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Ensure that results are scientifically robust.
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Communicate your work to non-experts and business leaders to move projects forward and influence decision-making.
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Discover and define gaps in data and knowledge for ongoing projects, extract internal/external data and methods, and work with discipline specialists to fill the gaps.
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Contribute to and lead local and global projects.
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Promote AstraZeneca's image and data analysis capabilities and reputation through external publications and presentations
Essential Experience/Requirements
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B.Sc., Masters or PhD in a relevant field (computer science, electronics, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics or equivalent) with proven relevant experience.
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Image processing knowledge and experiences in such as image segmentation, classification, clustering, enhancement and reconstruction.
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Mathematics and data science knowledge and experience of using and applying either machine learning (deep learning), statistical modelling or multivariate profiling methods to analyse image data.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Interest in or basic understanding of cell biology.
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Skilled in Python (TensorFlow/Keras, PyTorch), MATLAB or other relevant programming languages
Desirable Experience
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Experience in working with large quantities of image data.
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Experience in combining image data with other data modalities.
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Experience in working with temporal image data or video processing.
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Hands on experience with microscopic software and hardware such as CellProfiler, ImageJ/FIJI, PerkinElmer's Columbus, Yokogawa's CV7000/CV8000.
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Working with biologists in an experimental and cellular-screening environment.
Why AstraZeneca?
At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being results-oriented – finding those moments and recognising their potential. Join us on our journey of building an organisation to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we're opening new ways to work, ground-breaking methods and bringing teams together.
So what's next?
Are you already envisioning yourself joining our team? This role is open from 21/04/2022, we welcome with your application no later than 8/05/2022
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Where can I find out more?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en
https://pages.beamery.com/astrazeneca/page/quantitativebiology
