Computational Scientist - Bioinformatician

Job title: Computational Scientist - Bioinformatician

About the job

Join the engine of Sanofi’s mission — where deep immunoscience meets bold, AI-powered research. In R&D, you’ll drive breakthroughs that could turn the impossible into possible for millions.

As Principal Scientist within our Computational Biologics team, you’ll work as a Computational Scientist with deep expertise in bioinformatics and protein engineering to strengthen our capabilities in computational antibody and NANOBODY® drug discovery and development. As a Computational Scientist based in Cambridge MA, you will play a pivotal role in advancing therapeutic biologics to conquer complex diseases via NGS data analysis, hit selection algorithms, pipeline development, protein structure analysis and engineering. This role encompasses both wet lab understanding and computational expertise. You will work collaboratively within our international team, while driving projects in an independent manner.

About Sanofi:

We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system – and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives.

Main responsibilities:

To turn cutting-edge science into novel biologic candidates transforming patients’ lives, Sanofi’s Large Molecule Research (LMR) department developed a robust engine to discover and deliver innovative biologics. With digital technologies changing the practice of drug discovery and development, digital transformation is a common goal shared by all Sanofi employees. Our Digital Biologics platform is driving this transformation in computational biologics drug discovery and development.

• Biologics hit selection: Develop tools to process, analyse and interpret next generation sequencing (NGS) data, develop multi-objective hit selection approaches incorporating predictive AI/ML models to identify promising therapeutic candidates

• Biologics property optimization: Develop computational approaches to evaluate and engineer functionality and developability of biologics to ensure efficacy, safety and manufacturability

• Structural bioinformatics: Conduct structure-based analyses including structural modelling, structure-based stability assessment, protein structure-function relationship studies and structure-based protein engineering

• Pipeline development: Design and implement bioinformatics pipelines to drive antibody and NANOBODY® computational discovery workflows, adapting to evolving selection strategies

• Manage and drive projects: Independently lead and/or support computational biologics projects, identify opportunities for process improvements and technological innovations, and translate complex biological questions into actionable computational strategies

• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with experimental teams across research and development to validate hypotheses and discuss alternative approaches

• Scientific contribution: Maintain an active publication record and participate in the broader scientific community through conferences and collaborations

About you

Education:

• PhD with 3+ years of relevant industry and/or academic experience, OR Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant industry and/or academic experience

Technical Expertise:

• Hands-on experience with NGS or sequencing technologies and data analysis

• Proven ability to develop and manage large-scale bioinformatics data pipelines

• Strong coding skills to support pipeline development and automation

• Advanced analytical skills to interpret complex datasets and transform findings into applicable insights and new tools

• Strong background in protein chemistry and molecular biology

• NGS expertise: Experience with processing and analysis of next generation sequencing (NGS) datasets (Illumina), experience with NGS data processing pipelines and relevant bioinformatics immunorepertoire analysis tools (Immcantation, MiXCR, IgBLAST,...), experience with statistical differential abundance testing, experience with clustering (CD-HIT, MMseqs2, DIAMOND,...)/sampling approaches

• Structural bioinformatics expertise: Experience in structural bioinformatics or computational biophysics with hands-on application to protein/antibody engineering modelling (YASARA, Discovery Studio, PyMol, AlphaFold,...), knowledge on protein functionality/stability/developability (Rosetta,...), experience in protein engineering is a plus

• Technical expertise: Strong programming proficiency (Python, R or similar languages) and biological toolsets (biopython, R Bioconductor), Good Coding Practice, Git versioning, CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions,...), containerization (Docker, Singularity,...), experience with building and implementing scalable bioinformatics pipelines in cloud infrastructure (Nextflow, Snakemake, Amazon AWS,...)

• Communication: Excellent communication skills in English with demonstrated ability to work effectively in international, cross-functional teams

• Independence and collaboration: Proven track record of driving projects independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships

• Communication & Language Skills:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences

• Strong English language proficiency (written and verbal)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in biologics drug discovery programs, antibody or NANOBODY® formats, immunorepertoire diversity, understanding of current requirements for biologics design

• Familiarity with experimental methods to investigate protein properties (DSC, DSF, SEC, SPR, BLI,…)

• Knowledge and/or hands-on experience with AI/ML and applying AI/ML models in a relevant biological context

• Knowledge and/or hands-on experience with protein language models and applying protein language models in a relevant biological context

• Track record of scientific publications in relevant fields

Why Choose Us?  

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team. 

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally. 

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact. 

• Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave. 

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law. 

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Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability or gender identity.

Watch our ALL IN video and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions at sanofi.com!

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Sanofi Inc. and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers committed to a culturally inclusive and diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; natural or protective hairstyles; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

North America Applicants Only

The salary range for this position is:

All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs. Additional benefits information can be found through the LINK.