The global Research Informatics group is responsible for ensuring that Ipsen’s drug discovery Research teams have quick and accurate access to relevant information.  As a key member of this group, the Bioinformatics Programmer Analyst works in close communication with our Chemists and Biologists to make sure they get maximum benefits from existing and new IT systems, using innovative solutions either based on commercial software and/or proprietary applications developed internally to support drug discovery activity.

 As both an interface and technical advisor during the various steps of an IT research project, you will ensure the implementation of business-oriented information management solutions that meet the end-users’ needs. In addition to a strong focus on new projects, you will also ensure improvement of existing systems and data quality.

 DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  IT Research project implementation:

• Help writing specifications, user stories and define user needs
• Lead and/or participate to software development (code writing) and configuration
• Advise & interact regarding available technical solutions
• Ensure follow-up and quality of development phase, data migration & integration
• Define & manage test and acceptance processes
• Contribute to technical and functional documentation

 Ensure system maintenance (within SOP’s as necessary):

• Add new features to the system to better meet end-users’ needs
• Provide  second line end-users’ support and corrective maintenance
• Implement maintenance changes (new releases)
• Supervise how current solution are performing

 Ensure adequacy with business & technological changes:

• Monitor business & technology related to assigned projects
• Regularly participate in meetings with users to follow-up the business changes and the usage of the implemented solutions
• Propose innovative and sustainable solutions

 Project management:

• Contribute to project planning and progress follow-up notably regarding resource, scope and timelines
• As part of the Research Informatics team, identify and propose adequate solutions and potential partners in these solutions
• Coordinate with the various (external & internal) personnel involved in the project
• Manage day to day relationship with suppliers
• Drive various phases of the project (e.g., specifications, implementation, migration, integration)
• Assist with contracts negotiation with software vendors and other suppliers
• Ensure compliance with project methodology in use at IPSEN (Scrum, PMBOK)

 Others activities related to Research:

• Investigate, in collaboration with the Research Informatics Director, appropriate solutions for the corporate research community
• Comply with relevant R&D SOP’s and regulatory constraints (GxP, CFR21 part 11, …) as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:  

B.S. in a scientific discipline such as Biology and/or Chemistry

 Required Experience and Skills:

• 3-5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry with specific experience in a Research setting
• Informatics technical background 
• Project management exposure and practical experience (PMBOK and/or SCRUM knowledge is a plus)
• Strong programming skills and web development/knowledge including HTML, JavaScript and scripting language (PHP, Perl, etc).
• Expertise with relational databases such as Oracle and PL/SQL
• Knowledge of scientific tools & standard technologies used in pharmaceutical research including expertise with Pipeline Pilot from Accelrys
• Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to communicate in an international context with multicultural/disciplinary teams and various suppliers
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally (primarily to Ipsen’s Paris headquarters)

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience as a Project Manager or Leader
• Practical experience dealing with ontology, annotations notions, and knowledge network
• Knowledge of some/all of the following:  Oracle Apex, Net and Java, Windows/Linux servers, Citrix, VMware
• eNotebook from CambridgeSoft (Perkin Elmer), Nautilus, Waters SMDS
• Familiarity with the French language

 Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.)

• Ability to sit at a desk and use computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to speak publicly and hear in an environment with a normal level of noise
• Ability to occasionally lift items associated with an office environment, not to exceed 10 lbs.

 Working Conditions: Standard office environment

 Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements:

• Comply with all corporate and facility Environmental, Health and Safety policies and procedures.  Attend all mandatory EHS meetings and complete all EHS training requirements.
•  Intervene in potentially unsafe situations and report any incident, unsafe acts, conditions or equipment.  Report any emergency situation (medical emergency/chemical spill/security concern) by following established emergency programs and procedures.

Ipsen, headquartered in Paris, is a global specialty-driven pharmaceutical company with total sales exceeding €1.2 billion in 2012.  Ipsen focuses on specialty healthcare solutions for targeted debilitating diseases.  Its development strategy is supported by three franchises: neurology, endocrinology and uro-oncology.  With an active policy of partnerships, Ipsen’s R&D teams, located in France and Massachusetts, are dedicated to drug discovery using peptide and toxin platforms.  Please see more about Ipsen in the United States by visiting our website www.IpsenUS.com.