Thesis work: Guide experimental design and statistical evaluation

Job description
Do you enjoy applying statistics and mathematics to biological problems? Would you like to help develop life changing medicines? Then AstraZeneca might be of interest to you!

Guiding experimental design and statistical evaluation for optimal use of animals in pre-clinical research
Thesis work: 30 credits

At AstraZeneca, we turn ideas into life changing medicines and strive to continuously meet the unmet needs of patients worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Responsibilities
As an MSc student in the Quantitative Biology group in Gothenburg, you will be part of a large team of statisticians and bioinformaticians and will have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across sites in Sweden, the UK and the USA. You will improve both your programming and statistical skills to tackle challenges in our drug development pipeline.

The goals of this thesis are 1/ to provide an overview of existing techniques combining efficacy and dose-response endpoints; 2/ to design an experiment with joint efficacy and dose-response endpoints as a demonstrator; 3/ to propose a standard workflow for future use (e.g. an R package). This thesis will lead to a poster and potentially a publication.

Background
The “3Rs” (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) is a framework for conducting more humane animal research. Continuously optimizing the use of animals through advancements in study design and analysis constitutes a key pillar within this framework. AstraZeneca uses “Good Statistical Practice” (GSP) rules and guidelines to ensure adherence to the 3Rs.

In drug discovery, the goal is to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of candidate drugs before moving into man in clinical studies. As such, pre-clinical experiments in animal models are generally conducted to address the pivotal questions “Is the drug demonstrating a significant effect?” as well as “If so, what is the drug´s potency?”. The former question is typically answered using statistical approaches such as pairwise comparison to a control, whereas the latter is addressed by quantitative pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling on basis of an assumption about the underlying drug concentration-response relation. Regularly, however, an optimal design for either of these endpoints might be sub-optimal for the other (e.g. number of drug dose levels vs number of animals in each group), which can necessitate follow-up studies with additional use of animals.

In accordance with the 3Rs principles, there is considerable interest in combining efficacy and dose-response endpoints through an optimally balanced study design. Bayesian models are well suited to this and in addition, there is the possibility to use the results in a formal Bayesian decision making process.

Qualifications
Essential Requirements
• Interest in applying statistical and mathematical modelling
• Some familiarity with R, python, MATLAB or similar is required
• Enjoy working as part of a team at AstraZeneca’s site in Gothenburg

Desirable Requirements
• Basic knowledge of biology/physiology

Application
Randstad Life Sciences is cooperating with AstraZeneca in this recruitment process. We only accept applications through Randstad’s website.

Deadline for application: 2020-03-31, selection and interviews will be ongoing. The position may be filled before the last day of application, therefore, apply as soon as possible.

For more information: Kerstin Karlsson kerstin.karlsson@randstad.se or Eleonor Ehrman +4673-343 41 09.

About the company
Our Gothenburg site is one of AstraZeneca's three strategic science centers. We thrive in a multinational environment working cross-functionally across the globe with AstraZeneca colleagues as well as academic and industry partners. Our way of life is to foster a working environment that nurtures, collaboration, openness and innovation. Therefore, we have created space for meetings, socializing and relaxation, where spontaneous meetings can give birth to new innovations. The unexpected ideas or thoughts that can come from a chat over something as simple as a cup of coffee or a stroll on our “walk and talk” meeting trail.

AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer. AstraZeneca will consider all qualified applicants for employment without discrimination on grounds of disability, sex or sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity leave status, race or national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, gender identity or re-assignment, marital or civil partnership status, protected veteran status (if applicable) or any other characteristic protected by law. AstraZeneca only employs individuals with the right to work in the country/ies where the role is advertised.