BACKGROUND:
Informatics Scientists support drug development projects by enabling project teams to exploit or optimally utilize available data, information and knowledge through complex multidimensional analysis, data mining and visualization , modeling and simulation.. . This support is provided not only to early development projects, but also to later-stage projects which require the integration of preclinical and clinical data or otherwise require complex informatics solutions. Informatics Scientists also deliver tools to enable Clinical scientists and physicians to perform their own data mining and integration, raise the awareness of Clinical scientists on optimal information management and utilization, and train them in relevant informatics tools.

As individuals progress in the Informatics Science career ladder, they are expected to have an increasingly sophisticated understanding of drug discovery and development, clinical research methods, informatics tools and techniques, pathophysiology, the regulatory environment in the relevant therapeutic area, and factors that influence successful product differentiation and commercialization. Generally, the role holder will also possess or acquire special expertise in a particular informatics technical area (e.g., multidimensional data analysis, data visualization, text mining, information management, human computer interactions, etc). The role holder will collaborate closely with Clinical scientists, Discovery scientists, information scientists, IS/IT professionals, and/or informatics scientists in other areas of the business to ensure optimal support and delivery of tools, expertise and results in the most efficient manner.

The Research Scientist / Informatics Science position in the Informatics Science Career Ladder requires 3-5 years experience supporting informatics needs of clinical projects in the Pharmaceutical or related setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Role holders at this level will work independently and may collaborate with other informatics scientists to deliver informatics solutions. They may also coordinate the contribution of less experienced informatics scientists.

Provides Informatics expertise to drug projects by participating in project team meetings and providing support for data analysis, exploitation, access and management.

Produces, analyzes, interprets and evaluates critical data for drug projects and/or functional groups.

Proposes, initiates and drives novel scientific programs to enable drug projects to optimally utilize relevant data and enable best decisions.

Effectively communicating with managers, scientists and software engineers.

Project manages teams of Informaticians/IS professional to deliver practical informatics solutions to project scientists, specialty platform capabilities, and skill groups to support project and portfolio decisions

Evaluates potentially useful commercial software packages and technologies and brings most appropriate tools to the attention of customers.

Keeps up-to-date with literature regarding current and emerging therapeutic drug approaches and informs/advises department and relevant Project Teams of new tools, findings, theories, and/or hypotheses.

Establishes recognition in the Informatics and Scientific community by publishing papers, presenting at workshops, etc.

Collects Informatics demand and requirements from local DM Staff and projects, interprets demand and contributes to prioritization of activities considering the overall DM Informatics demand.

Be instrumental in the uptake of Informatics by DM staff and projects locally, and the Informatics education of DM scientists.

Maintain critical awareness of relevant areas of information science, competitor activity, external company products and services to generate alternative options and to ensure competitive and innovative solution to problems.

Develop partnerships with other Informatics professionals within AZ and Drug Discovery Scientists to promote Informatics and provide consultation and training to these groups to support drug discovery projects.

REQUIREMENTS:
MS or Ph.D. in a bioscience or BioMedical field plus cross-disciplinary training in computer science or Informatics.

Thorough knowledge in either a bioscience area or Medical science field.

Solid knowledge of informatics tools and their application in the field of translational science or Clinical Development

At least 3-5 years experience in the Pharmaceutical Industry or a closely related industry working in Informatics.

PREFERENCES:
Bioscience or Clinical background
Experience with Bioinformatics, Health or Clinical Informatics
Scripting and Programming
Project Management
Database design
Strong Communication skills and customer focus
Flexible enough to adjust to changing project needs
Can work independently to define objectives and deliver on them
Works well in team setting. Recognizes own goals and those of others and how the different pieces fit together to deliver the complete need.

TERMS: Full-Time

LOCALE: Wilmington, Delaware

COMPENSATION: Based on experience

HOW TO APPLY:
Please e-mail CV's to: Jeff.Hirsch[at]AstraZeneca.com