Principal Scientist – Protein Machine Learning

Key Skills

Aartificial intelligence, Algorithms, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Design, Effective communication skills, GPUs, Machine learning techniques, PyTorch, TensorFlow

Job Description

We seek a highly motivated Principal Scientist to join the Reagent Bioinformatics team in Roche Diagnostics Solutions to develop and apply machine learning and other computational techniques to protein engineering. The successful candidate will collaborate with biologists, chemists, computational scientists, bioinformatics scientists, and engineers to create and continuously improve enzymes critical to our portfolio of reagents, assays, and instruments.

Responsibilities

• Proactively engage cross-functional teams to generate datasets, share/build scientific knowledge, and appropriately apply AI/ML methods to achieve enzyme engineering goals

• Develop methods to predict mutant performance that will guide protein design and in silico library selection

• Research and evaluate protein language models and other deep learning methods (e.g., diffusion, neural networks)

• Train and optimize AI/ML models (e.g., hyper-parameter tuning, regularization techniques)

• Assess sequence-based, structure-based, and combinations of methods as well as data encoding approaches for amino acids as well as experimental conditions

• Independently recommend next steps for data analysis, method development, and experiments

• Regularly present and communicate project updates to different teams in the organization

• Collaborate closely with protein biochemistry, molecular biology, engineering, and other computational teams on experimental design, data collection, QC, algorithm design, data analysis, visualization, and communication of results

Required Skills & Experience:

• PhD. or equivalent experience in machine learning or related quantitative field (Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Biology)

• Demonstrated experience applying AI/ML methods to solve protein engineering problems

• In-depth knowledge of AI/ML methods suitable for protein sequence and structure questions

• Excellent programming skills, especially python and common ML libraries such as scikit-learn, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and proficient in working in a Linux environment on a shared compute cluster and/or cloud environment with CPUs and GPUs

• Strong analytical skills to identify key questions quickly and develop innovative solutions

• Proven ability to proactively evaluate methods and propose improvements

• Ability to thrive in collaborative multi-disciplinary teams and adapt to changing business and technical environments

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to adjust to audiences of varying technical backgrounds

This position is not eligible for relocation support.

NOTE: All employment is conditional upon the completing and obtaining a satisfactory background check, including educational, employment, references and criminal records (for which a pardon has not been granted) checks.

AGENCY NOTICE: Please note that Roche Canada does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Services Agreement with agency/recruiter, Roche Canada will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Roche Canada explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Who we are

At Roche, more than 100,000 people across 100 countries are pushing back the frontiers of healthcare. Working together, we’ve become one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups. Our success is built on innovation, curiosity and diversity.

Roche Pharma Canada has its office in Mississauga, Ontario and employs over 850 employees. The Mississauga facility is bright, vibrant, fosters collaboration and teamwork, and is reflective of Roche's truly innovative culture.