Principal Computational Biologist (Systems Biologist) in Cambridge

PrincipalComputationalBiologist (Systems Biologist)

Closing Date: 25/01/2026

Apply here: https://cancerresearchuk.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/CRH-Babraham-Jonas-Webb/Principal-Computational-Biologist–Systems-Biologist-_R032734

Internally this is known as PrincipalBioinformatician (Systems Biologist)£57,000- £70,900plusbenefits(includes up to 12% pension contribution and income protection)Reports to: Group Leader – Quantitative Biology Directorate:Research & InnovationContract:PermanentHours:Full time 35 hours per weekLocation:Cambridge,Babraham Research Campus, Biomedical Campus (Limited flexibility 3-4 days per week on site)Closing date:25January202623:55 This vacancy may close earlier if ahigh volumeof applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.Please let us know if thereisanythingabout the recruitment process that you would like to discuss,in particular ifthere are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contactrecruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.Visa sponsorship:Cancer Research UKcanconsider visa sponsorship for this vacancy. If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application. Recruitment process:1ststage interview viaMicrosoftTeams, 2ndstage will include a presentation followed bycompetency-basedquestions on-siteInterview date: We will be booking in 1st stage interviews on an ongoing basis, 2nd stage in planned for 3 and 6 of FebruaryAt Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. Cancer Research Horizons are looking to recruit apassionate scientificprofessional toset and drive our computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology methodologies into our drug discovery pipeline to motivate key decisions arising in the target ID, target validation, and disease positioning spaces.

About Cancer Research HorizonsAs the world’s biggest medical research charity,we’vehelped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster. We have recently developeda new approachto driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success. Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute inGlasgow, andNewcastle University, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds This is a new role for the team and realchance to make a tangible impact from day one.Utilise yourexpertiseto support CRH in takingtake a bigger, more holistic view of cancer. Build robust evidence packages andleveragecutting-edgesystems-level predictivemodellingto uncover the molecular pathways driving cancer development. Youwillbecome an integral part of the Cancer Research Horizon Drug Discovery team helping to progress novel cancer targets towards patient benefit.Furthermore, weactively encourage our colleagues to celebrate our science, by attending conferences, presenting posters, giving talks at events and publishing papers.

What will I be doing?

Our new strategy sets out to bring deeper mechanistic understanding at the molecular and cellular level to all stages of projects, from idea to pre-clinical Candidate. Reporting directly to the Leader of our Quantitative Biology team,we are looking for an experienced computational biologist to develop a systems level approach to understanding cancer molecular networks to underpin predictive modelling of patient response that moves beyond single-gene biomarkers. In this role you will take a mechanistic, causative approach to understanding how patient somatic mutations drive the development of cancer and work closely with functional genomics scientists to test novel hypotheses.

• Set and drive our computational strategy for integrating cancer systems biology approaches to support key decisions relating to target ID, target validation, and disease positioning.
• Develop a patient-data focused biomarker strategy underpinned by a systems level understanding of cancer molecular pathways.
• Analyse patient genomic data to uncover key somatic driver mutations and integrate this information with molecular pathways to build a mechanistic understanding of cancer development.
• Provide deepexpertisein computational biology and its role in oncology drug discovery.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement for our computational and analytical approaches.
• Provide scientific and strategic leadership in computational biology across CRH.
• Communicate effectively to influence multiple stakeholders and collaborate across projects and sites, including externally.
• Promote scientific excellence, through external publication and presentations.

Whatarewelookingfor?

• PhD in bioinformatics, data science, or equivalent
• Experience within a drug discovery environment (i.e pharma,biotechor academic institute)
• A strategic thinker with proven scientific leadership, including through matrix management
• Experienced in the use and development of cancer systems level predictive modelling to uncover the molecular pathways underpinning cancer development
• Experience of working with oncology patient datasets and using them to test and generate novel hypotheses
• Experience of integrating multi-omics datasets (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic) to infer molecular pathways involved in driving cancer
• Experience of using machine learning and AI tools to support a systems level understanding of cancer
• Programming experience with tools such as Python
• Experience adhering to good coding hygiene practices such as documentation, testing, and code review
• Excellent communication skills, ability to describe complex science in an engaging and inclusive manner.
• Ability tobuild open and honest relationships andinfluence multiplestakeholders.
• Ability to workcollaborativelyacrossprojects and sites, also externally

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do. Bold:Act with ambition,courageand determinationCredible:Act with rigour and professionalismHuman: Act to have a positive impact on people Together:Act inclusively and collaborativelyWe’relooking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.Ifyou’reinterested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills andexperiencewe’dstill love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

Wecreate a working environment that supports your wellbeing andprovide agenerous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Ourpolicies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.You can explore our benefitsby visitingourcareers web page.

How do I apply?

Weoperatean anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality,diversityand inclusion. CVs arerequiredfor all applications; but wewon’tbe able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. For more information on this career opportunity pleasevisit our websiteor contact us atrecruitment@cancer.org.uk . For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on:Linked In,Facebook,Instagram,XandYouTube.