Postdoctoral Fellow – Statistical methods on Dose Optimization in Oncology and Informing Late Phase

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

We are currently looking for talented scientists to join our innovative academic-style Postdoc Program. From our center in Gaithersburg, MD, you’ll be in a global pharmaceutical environment, contributing to live projects right from the start. You’ll take part in a comprehensive training program, including a focus on drug discovery and development, given access to our existing Postdoctoral research, and encouraged to pursue your own independent research in cutting edge laboratories. It’s a newly expanding program spanning a range of therapeutic areas across a wide range of disciplines. What’s more, you’ll have the support of a leading academic advisor, Dr. Yong Zang from Indiana University , who’ll provide you with the guidance and knowledge you need to develop your career. This is an exciting area that hasn’t been explored to its full potential, making this an opportunity to make a real difference to the future of medical science.
About Oncology Biometrics
Our Oncology Biometrics department is an integral part of the Oncology R&D organization. We drive excellent design in order to generate the appropriate data needed for quality decision making. The goal of Oncology Biometrics is to deliver value to the pipeline by excellence in delivery, improved decision making and engaging and shaping the external environment whilst accessing and implementing innovative solutions. You will sit within our Statistical Innovation group in Oncology Biometrics (OBM) department, which is a methodological hub for statistical design and analysis of clinical trials. Working as part of Statistical Innovation, you will be able to access technology at the forefront of science in an innovative environment, where you will have the scope to develop creative statistical ideas and approaches, and to apply them in your work.
About the Opportunity
Optimizing doses and biomarkers in early-phase trials to inform Phase III dose and population decisions is a priority at AstraZeneca. Statistical approaches to address dose optimization and consideration of the population are needed. Adaptive design, Bayesian analysis, statistical modelling and utility-based approaches will be an important component of this project. The overall objective for this position will be to identify trial design and analysis methods to advance the goals of dose optimization and integrate biomarker optimization. The postdoc will join our collaborative and supportive DOWGS (Dose Optimization Working Group Statistical Innovation) group and SIMBA (Statistical Innovation Meets BiomArker discovery) group, supervised by Dr. Gina D’Angelo. They will also have close interactions with scientists of various backgrounds, including statisticians, data scientists, clinicians, regulatory, and precision medicine.
Project Focus
The project will begin with a critical evaluation of existing approaches. Subsequent methodological work will focus on dose-optimization approaches evaluating utility-based approaches, missing data approaches, pooling multiple sources of data including data from other trials, jointly optimizing the dose and biomarker, and trial design. The postdoc will be responsible for writing scientific papers, presenting talks and supporting the scientific development of statistical methodology at AstraZeneca.
Our Postdoc program is aimed at individuals with a strong publication record who are either:
Within 5-years of obtaining their doctoral degree (PhD, DVM, or MD) - PhD already awarded, or
Students, soon to obtain doctoral degrees (the PhD must be awarded within 6 months of joining AstraZeneca).

Requirements

• PhD in Statistics or related field (or near completion of PhD)
• 0-4 years’ scientific working experience
• Good knowledge of the statistical software R.
• The ability to work collaboratively to solve statistical problems.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting scientific work.
• Ability to communicate statistical ideas to scientists who are not statisticians.
• Data analysis and Computer coding
• Evaluating and developing new, statistical methodologies
• Collaborate with scientists (statisticians and non-statisticians)
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral

Nice To Haves

• Contributed to scientific papers and/or presented at scientific conferences
• Experience in statistical topics that are closely related to the project, such as dose-optimization, biomarkers, statistical modelling, adaptive design, Bayesian methods
• Proven ability to steer the direction of scientific work
• Fundamental knowledge of biomedical research and drug development

Responsibilities

• Writing scientific papers
• Presenting talks
• Supporting the scientific development of statistical methodology at AstraZeneca

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree