Quantitative Medicine Computational Scientist

Job Description

The Digital and Quantitative Medicine (DQM) group, which is part of Biogen Digital Health, uses an applied systems science model to incorporate multi-scale computational modeling and simulation along with experimental medicine studies and the development and industrialization of novel clinical technologies to bring specific value to development and discovery; catalyzing the organization toward a human-centric transformative quantitative biology strategy for drug development / discovery. DQM includes platforms in clinical technologies (including digital and internet of things approaches), quantitative medicine, advanced modeling/analytics as well as experimental medicine and relies on robust interfaces with groups across the Biogen enterprise and broadly in the external environment.

This role will focus on modeling and analyses related to human biology and disease, e.g., movement biomechanics, and speech & language. This role will partner with medical experts to connect their knowledge about biological structure and function to physiological, motor, and cognitive signs of disease progression. This will require understanding how a clinician evaluates disease progression, e.g., the UPDRS, and to convert data measuring complex biology, e.g., gait and balance, into measures that quantify the individual’s state. The role will also compare data from promising measurement tools that may capture objective markers, e.g., wearable sensors, with gold standard measurements, e.g. a motion capture camera system, to determine the promising tool’s accuracy, precision, and reproducibility.

Individuals in this role will work closely with a cross-functional team (e.g., information technology, clinicians, biologists, regulatory specialists), to ensure the security, safety, reliability, and quality of the data and measures.

You combine strategic thinking and scientific rigor with exceptional execution, and you strive for excellence in all that you do. You are passionately committed to making a difference in patients’ lives, and you foster a culture of trust and empowerment that encourages openness, ideation, failing forward, and experimentation. You think big, start small, scale fast, and you know that magic happens through diversity of thought, expertise, culture, and background.

Members of the Modeling, Simulation, and Analytics Line are responsible for:

• Developing new modeling and analytical methods, as well as applying standard methods, to both current and novel measurements

• Identifying, evaluating, and validating current and novel technologies for use as clinical measures across Biogen’s portfolio

• Providing input into Quantitative Medicine plans

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, computer science, quantitative physical science, anatomy, neuroscience, or something similar, with project management experience a plus

• 8+ years’ experience working in a research, clinical, and/or pharmaceutical environment

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and youwill have deep understanding of established analytical/modeling methodologies.

• You demonstrated the ability to develop and evaluate novel digital biomarkers of disease progression

• In addition you are an expert in Python programming skills, experience with additional languages a plus

• Experience working in a cloud environment as well as handling big data

• Prior expertise in neuroscience, human anatomy, and/or medicine especially with respect to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.

• Expertise with measurements obtained using mobile technology (e.g., phones, wearable sensors), video, and/or other hardware

• You have demonstrated ability to build scalable scientific analysis applications

• Prior experience with R a plus as well as prior experience with physical modeling of biological systems

• Strong communication and the ability to clearly convey information to experts and non-experts both within the group and to external groups

• You had strong prior collaboration and team building skills and are able to connect with all levels of the organization

• Comfortable working in a matrix environment, while embracing and driving change

• Experience managing others is a plus

• Familiarity with pharmaceutical drug discovery and development is preferred

• You are familiar with agile/scrum is a plus

Additional Information

You will join an international, diverse team of 100+ talented humans who are passionate about making our vision a reality. Our team at Biogen Digital Health rejects the status quo and lives by agile principles. You’ll work directly with an outstanding team of neuroscientists, clinicians, data scientists, biostatisticians, digital product managers, user experience designers, and engineers that work across disciplines to make a lasting impact for patients.