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**Job Function: **
Discovery & Pre-Clinical/Clinical Development
**Job Sub Function: **
Biological Research
Job Category:
People Leader
All Job Posting Locations:
Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium
Job Description:
We are seeking a strategic, hands‑on leader to direct an NGS-Omics laboratory spanning wet‑lab assay development/operations and dry‑lab computational/bioinformatics. The Director will own end‑to‑end capability across genomics, transcriptomics (bulk & single‑cell), and multi‑omics integration, delivering robust, scalable, high dimensional biology to enable and accelerate target discovery, understanding mode of action, assessing off target effects, and enabling translational decision‑making.
The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of omics technologies, biology, and strong computational biology skills with a focus on the analysis and interpretation of genomics data. Knowledge of genetics and pathway biology is essential to address the needs and scientific questions posed by collaborating teams and to assist in interpreting experimental findings. This role will support global teams across various therapeutic areas and modalities.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy & Portfolio Leadership
- Build and evolve a Genomics strategy that directly supports drug discovery across all phases including pathway mapping, MoA elucidation, resistance mechanisms, and phenotypic screening
- Establish assay‑to‑insight pipelines from sample intake to analytics/interpretation and knowledge capture (FAIR data)
- Identify and implement emerging platforms to continuously drive innovation and process improvements
Wet Lab Leadership (Assay Development & Operations)
Lead development, optimization, and industrialization of discovery-focused assays:
- WGS/WES
- Bulk RNA‑seq
- Single‑cell RNA‑seq
- Long-read sequencing
Implement automation, robotics, LIMS integration, and QC frameworks to ensure reproducibility and throughput
Maintain stringent quality systems appropriate for discovery science
Dry Lab (Bioinformatics, Data Engineering & Analytics)
- Own compute strategy (HPC and/or cloud: AWS/GCP/Azure), workflow orchestration (Nextflow/Snakemake/Cromwell), containers, and CI/CD for pipelines.
- Build high-throughput pipelines for data acquisition, analytics and enabling Multiomics data integration
- Established track record in using computational biology to address complex biology questions is required
- Proficiency in programming languages such as R or Python is required
- Develop and maintain validated pipelines for alignment, quantification, variant calling, fusion detection, isoform/splicing, methylation, chromatin accessibility, peak calling, and single‑cell & spatial analytics (batch correction, integration, deconvolution, trajectory, cell‑cell interaction).
- Implement data governance & security (FAIR, metadata standards like MIxS, MINSEQE; PII/PHI controls; role‑based access; audit trails).
- Partner within Multiomics Discovery and across R&D Data Sciences to deliver biological interpretation (pathway/network enrichment, GRNs, causal inference, ML models, signatures, patient stratification)
- Deliver reusable data products and dashboards; ensure results are reproducible and versioned
People Leadership & Culture
- Lead a multi‑disciplinary team (molecular biologists, lab managers, automation engineers, bioinformaticians, data engineers, statisticians)
- Foster a culture of safety, quality, scientific excellence, and delivery
- Mentor talent, develop career paths, and promote inclusive collaboration across sites and time zones
Stakeholder Management & Impact
- Translate business questions into fit‑for‑purpose study designs and analytical plans; communicate trade‑offs, risks, and timelines
- Partner with Therapeutic Areas to drive go/no‑go decisions and critical path aligned mechanistic insight
- Publish/coach publications, present at governance, and represent the platform with external partners and consortia
- Strong communication and presentation skills are required
Budget, Compliance & Risk
- Own budgeting, capacity planning, utilization, and cost‑per‑sample optimization
- Manage vendor/consumables contracts, service agreements, and supply chain continuity.
- Ensure biosafety, EHS, data privacy (HIPAA where applicable), IP stewardship, and security best practice
Qualifications:
Experience:
- PhD in Biology, Biotechnology, Immunology, or a related field with a focus on computational biology, supported by relevant publications
- 10+ years expertise in drug discovery is required
Technical Skills:
- Deep expertise in assay design/optimization
- Bioinformatics proficiency (R/Python), workflow managers (Nextflow/Snakemake), alignment/variant callers (BWA, STAR, GATK, DRAGEN), single‑cell tools (Seurat, Scanpy), spatial pipelines, and QC frameworks (FastQC, MultiQC)
- Strong expertise in transcriptomics data analysis (data processing, differential gene expression, pathway analysis) and data visualization tools and methodologies.
- Knowledge of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling, and unsupervised analysis techniques
- Experience with multiomics data integration
- Familiarity with large language models and generative methods
- Experience working within Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a plus
- Experience with Systems: LIMS/ELN, containerization (Docker/Singularity), Git, cloud/HPC
- Data standards: FAIR, metadata schemas, GA4GH & AnVIL‑like patterns, privacy/security controls
Non-Technical Skills
- Strategic thinking, science to impact orientation, crisp communication to technical and executive audiences
- Proven ability to prioritize, negotiate trade offs, and deliver at portfolio scale
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate and convey complex information and concepts to scientists from diverse backgrounds
- Independent, self-motivated, and possess an innovative mindset
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work productively in a dynamic environment
- Excellent planning, prioritization, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Strong team orientation, highly collaborative, and results-driven
- Vendor/CRO management; change leadership in fast moving environments
Key Responsibilities
- Lead discovery omics projects in collaboration with functional and therapeutic area partners across multiple therapeutic modalities.
- Develop and implement (multi-)omics data analysis plans to support target identification and validation, lead optimization, and liability assessments.
- Collaborate with wet lab and computational teams to define the required analysis plan to achieve project goals.
- Drive internal and external innovation projects
**Required Skills: **
Preferred Skills:
Big Data Management, Collaborating, Data Governance, Data Reporting, Data Savvy, Developing Others, Drug Discovery Development, Health Care Regulation, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Molecular Diagnostics, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Process Improvements, Product Knowledge, Project Reporting, Scientific Research, Strategic Thinking, Sustainability