Principal Scientist, Discovery Sciences, Exploratory Chemical Biology

Band

Level 4

 

Job Description Summary

We are currently seeking individuals with a strong interest in target discovery and validation to drive early-stage drug discovery. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in immune cell biology, cell signaling, genetics and developmental biology. You will be responsible for developing and optimizing cell-based assays for high-throughput compound screening and for mechanism-of-action studies. In addition, you will be developing in vitro and in vivo assays for mechanistic insights into disease biology with the goal of identifying targets and accelerating therapeutic development.

 

Job Description

Internal Job Title: Principal Scientist I

Position Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

About the Role:

            85% of the proteome is currently undrugged. You can join an exciting interdisciplinary team of exploratory chemical biologists engaged in target prioritization and early drug discovery to bring novel assets into our drug discovery pipeline. We are currently seeking individuals with a strong interest in target discovery and validation to drive early-stage drug discovery. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in immune cell biology, cell signaling, genetics and developmental biology. You will be responsible for developing and optimizing cell-based assays for high-throughput compound screening and for mechanism-of-action studies. In addition, you will be developing in vitro and in vivo assays for mechanistic insights into disease biology with the goal of identifying targets and accelerating therapeutic development.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and optimize cell-based assays for high-throughput compound screening and mechanism-of-action studies.

• Design, perform, and supervise key in vitro experiments for small molecule discovery and development.

• Design and establish in vivo studies to develop models for PK/PD studies and develop a deep understanding of disease biology.

• Design and supervise development of in vivo genetic tools for target validation and target engagement studies using Cre/loxP system and other methods.

• Work in a highly collaborative environment interfacing various disease areas, functional areas and disciplines.

• Report results of studies and make recommendations to scientific leaders in a timely, detailed, and coherent manner

• Design, implement and advance scientific experiments, and provide critical analysis of data

• Provide technical mentoring and expertise to other research staff in the group

• Stay up to date with the latest advancements in human genetics and disease biology to provide actionable insights for target discovery and validation.

• Contribute to the publication of research findings and present at scientific conferences, keeping the scientific community abreast of cutting-edge developments.

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in biology or related field, with strong publication record, and <3 years of industry experience.

• Strong interest in target identification and early-stage drug discovery

• Experience with standard cell biology techniques (e.g. cell culture, stable cell line production, cell-based assays), and ability to innovate and develop/customize/optimize new assays.

• Extensive experience with mouse genetics, mouse handling, dosing, and tissue collection, sample preparation for histology and single cell isolation for downstream applications.

• Experience in qPCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging and in vivo model development for neuronal and inflammatory diseases.

• Strong understanding of disease-relevant signaling mechanisms and developmental pathways (such as cAMP pathway, macrophage biology, immune mechanisms, stromal and vascular biology)

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable skills

• Experience in small molecule drug discovery and in vitro pharmacology is desirable

• Experience with HTRF assay, alphaLISA, MSD assay, ELISA

The salary for this position is expected to range between:  $103,600 and $192,400 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis