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.
The Role
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.
Principal Accountabilities
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
8+ years’ experience working in a research, clinical, and/or pharmaceutical environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and you will 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
Fluent in English skills
Education: PhD in engineering, computer science, quantitative physical science, anatomy, neuroscience, or something similar, with project management experience a plus
Ideal Candidate
At BDH, you are passionately committed to making a difference in patients’ lives. Our team strives for real impact through excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Ideal candidates are like-minded individuals who champion caring deeply, working fearlessly, and changing lives.
Excellence:
You combine strategic thinking and scientific rigor with exceptional execution in all your undertakings
You stretch for amazing and don’t settle for “good enough”
You confront your failures, persevere through adversity and learn from your successes to improve individually and as a team
Innovation:
You are responsible for contemplating, exploring, and challenging the status quo
You foster a culture of trust and empowerment that encourages openness, ideation, failing forward, and experimentation
You think big, start small, scale fast, and always seek to make complexity simple
Impact:
You focus on opportunities that make a meaningful difference, striving for longer and higher quality lives for patients
You proudly support and enable Biogen to pioneer in neuroscience
You set ambitious goals, define key results expected and measure outcomes in everything you do
Collaboration
You search for great ideas, within and outside the team, nurturing and embracing differing perspectives to make better decisions
You know magic happens through diversity of thought, expertise, culture, and background, fostering a safe space
You recognize the power of collective intelligence over egos and strive to understand before seeking to be understood
Why Biogen?
Biogen Digital Health (BDH) is a new global unit of Biogen dedicated to pioneering personalized and digital medicine in neuroscience.
Neurological diseases are highly complex, devastating, and there are still significant challenges in how we understand and treat them. At BDH, we aspire to transform Biogen and patients’ lives by making personalized & digital medicine in neuroscience a reality. Powered by data-science and digital technologies, we drive solutions to advance research, clinical care, and patient empowerment.
We support and enable our colleagues at Biogen to pioneer in neuroscience. We believe that now, more than ever, biology and technology should go hand-in-hand to better meet patient needs, while enabling a shift towards more prevention-focused, affordable, and equitable care.
This full time role will report to DQM’s Head of the Modeling, Simulation, and Analytics and will be based in Baar, Switzerland.