Associate Scientist, DMPK

Role Summary:
Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic group at Cerevel is seeking a passionate Associate Scientist to join the Investigative Biotransformation and Unbiased pharmacometabolomics group to support the early discovery portfolios of a premier Neuroscience company Cerevel Therapeutics. This position will ensure to provide the right firsthand exposure toward becoming a well-rounded truly translational drug metabolism PK scientist cross-functionally working with seasoned drug hunter professionals at Cerevel.  The candidate will primarily support early discovery projects by performing hands-on metabolite identification (met ID) using liver/intestinal microsomes, hepatocytes, recombinant enzymes, analyze mass spec data, metabolite isolation/purification using fraction collector. The candidate will design fit for purpose biotransformation/ in vitro ADME studies toward shedding lights on the potential clearance mechanisms. Cerevel team will constantly supervise and help the candidate to build the right communication skills along with problem-solving and entrepreneurship skills. The candidate will work with a research mentor, several collaborators from other research functions, will prepare power point presentations, write met ID reports, and routinely document the lab experiments in an electronic lab notebook. 

Key Responsibilities

• Routinely perform in vitro metabolite identification experiments for small molecules compounds
• Utilize LCUV-MS automated fraction collection technique for unusual / major metabolite isolation and purification from complex biological matrices
• Collaborate with medicinal chemists towards structural elucidation of metabolite by MS/MS and NMRs
• Utilize trapping agents such as cysteine, GSH and other nucleophiles for capturing reactive drug or metabolites conjugates
• Characterize major metabolites by using deuterated solvent and confirm exchangeable protons such as –NH, -OH and –COOH vs -S/-N-oxides metabolites
• Explore and establish new ADME assays to support mechanistic studies for confirming major in vitro and in vivo biotransformation pathways
• Write met ID reports, and routinely document the lab experiments in an electronic lab notebook

Required Qualifications

• Completed coursework in general chemistry, biochemistry, or biology
• Ability to independently run enzymatic, cell culture, bespoke ADME assays in the laboratory
• Ability to independently run high resolution mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography systems in the laboratory
• Ability to propose chemical fragments from MSMS spectrum and prepare power point slides for the purpose presentation to the collaborators

Desired Qualifications

• Majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or related field. Good knowledge in fundamental organic chemistry, some functional knowledge in biochemistry, handling met ID software such as Compound Discoverer, ChemDraw is needed. 

Education

• Completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree