At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead bioinformatics target discovery and support innovative cancer therapeutics development.
- Company: Join Oxford Biotherapeutics, a pioneering biotech firm focused on cancer treatment.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, generous pension, training budget, and team-building events.
- Other info: Dynamic, supportive environment fostering innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery while collaborating with top industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Master's or PhD in bioinformatics with 5+ years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
If you're a bioinformatician with an interest in the commercial side of drug discovery and the ability to provide scientific leadership within a collaborative team, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to OBT's proteomics-based target discovery efforts and help drive the development of innovative therapeutics.
About Oxford Biotherapeutics (OBT)
Oxford Biotherapeutics (OBT) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative antibody-based therapeutics for the treatment of cancer.
You will contribute directly to the pre-clinical development of our immuno-oncology pipeline.
Our proprietary OGAP® platform, the world’s largest cancer-specific membrane protein library, enables the discovery of novel, highly tumour-specific antigens for first-in-class ADC, Bispecific T-cell Engager (BITE®), and CAR-based therapeutics.
Our lead asset, OBT076, is in Phase 1b clinical development, supported by a strong internal and partnered pipeline with leaders such as Roche, GSK, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Zymeworks.
Learn more at www. oxfordbiotherapeutics. com .
Introduction to the role
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Bioinformatics and Information Systems in Bioinformatics, you will oversee the mining and annotation of OBT's proprietary proteomics dataset to identify and research candidate targets for cancer therapeutics.
This will involve interfacing with the commercial team, scoping incoming questions, timelines, and turning analysis into answers that support partnering and portfolio decisions.
This role will suit someone who works well at pace and is energised by commercial conversations as well as by the science.
A sound computational background is expected, but the role places greater emphasis on organisation, judgement and communication than on method development.
The position is office-based at the Oxford Science Park, supporting close daily collaboration with the scientific and commercial teams, with occasional travel.
Key Responsibilities
- Business and partnering support
- Attend and contribute to business and partnering discussions, following up on the analysis they generate.
- Scope and deliver analyses in response to requests from colleagues across the business, maintaining a clear view of the team's commitments.
- Prepare and present analysis summaries and supporting materials for internal decision-making and external partner discussions.
- Target discovery leadership
- Manage the bioinformatics target discovery activity: plan, prioritise and direct the mining and annotation of OBT's proprietary proteomics dataset to identify and verify candidate targets for therapeutic programmes.
- Provide the analysis and recommendations that inform target selection and prioritisation.
- Carry out hands-on analysis where needed to support the team.
- Quality and standards
- Oversee the quality, consistency and reproducibility of the target annotation produced by the team, ensuring that conclusions are clearly evidenced and traceable to the underlying data.
- Maintain and improve the standard workflows, templates and documentation.
- Management and collaboration
- Supervise target mining and annotation.
- Collaborate across the Bioinformatics team and with cross-functional colleagues to support company goals.
- Required Skills & Experience
Qualifications and experience
- Master's degree or Ph D in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related life science discipline.
- 5+ years of relevant experience in bioinformatics or computational biology, in industry or academia.
- Scientific domain knowledge
- Knowledge of cancer biology and targeted cancer therapeutics.
- Experience with proteomics, particularly mass spectrometry-based proteomics.
- Familiarity with protein annotation and expression resources.
- Technical skills
- Proficiency in Python and R, sufficient to interrogate large datasets independently and review the team's work.
- Organisation and planning
- Strong organisational skills: able to plan, prioritise and track multiple concurrent requests.
- Able to plan the team's work and adjust it as new questions come in.
- Communication and commercial awareness
- Confident, proactive communicator who works well with commercial and non-scientific colleagues and is comfortable presenting analysis in meetings.
- Ability to translate questions into well-scoped analyses and communicate the results clearly to different audiences.
- Genuine interest in the commercial and partnering side of drug discovery.
Desirable Experience
- Commercial and partnering
- Experience gained in a commercial or business-facing environment (e. g., business development, alliance management, partnering, consulting or vendor-facing roles).
- Experience preparing analysis or materials for partner-facing or investor-facing discussions.
Benefits Offered
- Private health care
- Health Cash Plan
- Generous pension scheme with potential employer contribution of up to 10% (based on match contributions)
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Free onsite parking
- Complimentary office snacks
- Enhanced holiday entitlement above statutory minimum plus public holidays
- Employee Referral Bonus Program
- Annual training budget for professional development
- New hire share options
- Team building events and activities
- Equal Opportunities Statement
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Why Join Us
At OBT, we foster a culture of innovation, ownership, and collaboration.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we aim to develop novel therapies to address some of the most challenging diseases.
Our people describe our environment as friendly, collaborative, and driven.
We are committed to creating a workplace where individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute built on a foundation of trust, creativity, and mutual respect.
Senior Bioinformatician - Target Discovery in Oxford employer: Oxford BioTherapeutics
Oxford Biotherapeutics (OBT) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the prestigious Oxford Science Park. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth while contributing to cutting-edge bioinformatics and AI projects. The company fosters a culture of independence and creativity, ensuring that every team member can take ownership of their work and make a meaningful impact in the field of biotechnology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Bioinformatician - Target Discovery in Oxford
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
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✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Oxford BioTherapeutics!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Bioinformatician - Target Discovery in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Oxford BioTherapeutics that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Oxford BioTherapeutics.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Oxford BioTherapeutics does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford BioTherapeutics
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Oxford BioTherapeutics. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Oxford BioTherapeutics's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Oxford BioTherapeutics. This shows your passion for the industry!