At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge deep learning algorithms for cryo-EM single particle analysis.
- Company: Astex Pharmaceuticals, a leader in innovative drug discovery and development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working options, and access to proprietary datasets.
- Other info: Collaborate with top researchers and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while advancing your research career.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience in computer vision or cryo-EM image processing.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Job Type: 3 Year Fixed Term Contract, Full Time
Location: Cambridge, UK, with regular visits to Madrid, Spain
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. We are a member of the OpenFold consortium and are contributing structural data to the Federated OpenFold3 Initiative, underlining our commitment to developing machine learning solutions for drug discovery.
Our state-of-the-art, in‑house cryo-EM facility includes an extensive computing infrastructure data collection and processing workflows to facilitate the rapid generation and interpretation of cryo-EM structures. This resource has established a sizeable cryo-EM data lake that is highly valuable for machine learning-based method development.
IE University is a young institution investing heavily in research excellence in applied sciences with a focus on real-world impact. The group of Prof. Sanchez-Garcia has a sustained track record in deep learning for cryo-EM, including particle alignment, pose estimation and map post-processing, and has released widely used open‑source tools such as DeepEMhancer and MicrographCleaner.
The role involves developing cutting‑edge deep learning algorithms for cryo‑EM single particle analysis (SPA). We are looking for outstanding candidates with expertise in either cryo-EM image processing or modern computer vision and deep learning.
Cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a Nobel Prize‑winning imaging technology that enables the determination of near‑atomic‑resolution structures of biological macromolecules. From a machine learning perspective, cryo-EM presents unique challenges, including learning from extremely low signal‑to‑noise images or recovering accurate 3D orientations from large‑scale experimental datasets.
This position will focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in deep learning‑driven 3D pose estimation of low signal‑to‑noise ratio (SNR) images as present in cryo‑EM, by building on our recently published software cryoPARES and exploring self‑supervised representation learning and foundation models on our Petabyte‑scale cryo‑EM datasets. The position is Cambridge‑based, but regular visits to Madrid will be part of this post‑doctoral position.
Requirements:
- PhD in mathematics, computer science or another relevant numerical/computational discipline, or equivalent experience in a relevant research area
- Demonstratable experience in developing computer vision algorithms using frameworks like Pytorch, JAX or Tensorflow and a strong interest in applying the technology on biological images
- Detailed knowledge of SPA image processing theory with demonstratable experience in algorithm development for SPA
- Excellent knowledge of Python and familiarity with Git, preferably also knowledge of C/C++
- Excellent problem‑solving and team working skills
We require the candidate to already hold the right to work in Spain or be an EU national. Successful progression to interview will be subject to completion of a right‑to‑work check.
Why Astex:
- We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as a highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment.
- The successful candidate will have access to proprietary Petabyte‑scale cryo‑EM datasets, modern GPU infrastructure, close collaborations between academia and industry, and the opportunity to publish high‑impact research while developing AI methods that directly accelerate structure‑based drug discovery.
At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry‑leading scientific innovation and behaviours.
Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.
For information on Astex Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.astx.com
For information on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals please visit: www.otsuka.co.jp
Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cambridge employer: Astex Pharmaceuticals
Astex Pharmaceuticals is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation in drug discovery. With access to one of the largest structural datasets in the industry and a commitment to employee growth through excellent training and career development opportunities, Astex promotes a collaborative culture where diverse talents thrive. Located just 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre, employees enjoy hybrid working options and onsite sports facilities, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cambridge
✨Join Biotechnology Meetups
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✨Apply Directly on Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Sustaining Innovation Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Lab Skills:In the biotech world, your lab skills are paramount. Make sure your CV highlights specific techniques and equipment you’ve used, such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, or cell culture. This will give us a clear picture of what you can bring to Astex Pharmaceuticals as a temporary teammate.
Highlight Your Research Experience:If you’ve worked on any research projects — whether during your studies or in previous positions — make sure to detail these in your application. Include the objective, your role, and what you achieved. This will help us see your potential and fit for the temporary position at Astex Pharmaceuticals.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Especially for a temporary role, we want to see a clear and focused application. Tailor your CV and cover letter to emphasise the qualifications and experiences that are most relevant to the biotech field and the specific role at Astex Pharmaceuticals. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and capable.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since it’s a temporary role, let us know right away when you’re available to start and how long you can commit. Include this in your cover letter — this kind of transparency saves us all time and helps us find the right fit quickly at Astex Pharmaceuticals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Astex Pharmaceuticals
✨Brush Up on Your Biotech Basics
Understanding the fundamental concepts in biotechnology is crucial. Be ready to discuss core topics like genetics, molecular biology, or bioinformatics, especially if you're asked technical questions. We suggest revisiting your coursework or recent projects to refresh your memory.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, they’re likely looking for someone who can jump in and get up to speed quickly. Share experiences where you’ve adapted to new environments, tools, or teams in a short space of time. It shows you're ready to tackle the challenge head-on!
✨Emphasise Your Lab Experience
If you’ve got hands-on experience in lab settings, now’s the time to showcase it. Talk about specific techniques you’ve mastered, like PCR or chromatography, and any relevant safety protocols you’ve followed. These details help paint you as an effective team member from day one.
✨Be Prepared to Explain Your Passion
Hiring managers want to see your motivation, especially for a temporary position in a fast-paced field like biotechnology. Be ready to discuss what excites you about the industry, your career goals, and how this role at Astex Pharmaceuticals aligns with them. It’s all about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but a stepping stone in your biotech journey.
