Principal Associate Scientist – Cell Assay Development and Screening

Company Description

At Biogen, we offer a workplace that is unique, connected, resilient and impactful. Our purpose to find cures for rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry. We are connected as a team by this shared purpose, the pride we have in our work, and the inspiration we obtain from the lives we’re changing. We are resilient as we overcome obstacles, following the science to deliver for our patients. Most of all, our work allows us to have an impact. An impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine.   

Job Description

About This Role

We are looking for an energetic, creative cell biologist to join our Bioassays and High-Throughput Screens (BHTS) group within the Biotherapeutics and Medicinal Sciences (BTMS) department in Cambridge, MA. This position requires a self-motivated and productive assay associate scientist who enjoys collaborating with other assay scientists, biologists, and medicinal chemists to transform assays to HTS or SAR qualified process.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, troubleshoot and run physiologically relevant cell-based and biochemical assays to identify and characterize small-molecule modulators using relevant assay technologies, such as qPCR, MSD, HTRF, alpha-LISA, calcium or cellular imaging, and using automated liquid handling instruments.
• Analyze assay data using specialized software to characterize gene expression, transcriptional modification, enzyme activity, and phenotypic changes.
• Work closely with project team members to deploy focused library-based high-throughput screens (mini-HTS) as well as secondary cell-based assays that support the generation of structure-activity relationships (SAR) of test compounds by medicinal chemists.
• Oversee assays and report data run by external CROs and monitor results for quality.
• Participate in drug discovery project teams and communicate progress and results.

Who You Are

The successful candidate will have experience in developing, troubleshooting and conducting microplate-based assays using a variety of assay technologies. Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience using RT-qPCR technology in addition to culturing and developing assays using iPSC cells.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Education

• BS degree with a minimum of 4 years post degree experience in an industry/academic lab setting.
• Meticulous laboratory technique, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Understanding of assay data analysis methods and experience using software systems (Excel, GraphPad Prism, ExcelFit, Spotfire, Genedata Screener, or other HTS/Curve fitting software) to process and analyze assay data.
• Experience independently developing and conducting robust cell-based and biochemical assays in microplate format amenable for high throughput screening of bioactive molecules.

Preferred Skills / Education

• Master's degree with a minimum of 2 years post degree experience in an industry/academic lab setting
• Familiarity with methods and instruments for automated plate-based assays and the use of relevant plate readers and liquid handlers.
• Experience using QuantStudio system or other qPCR technology instruments.
• Experience in culturing and developing assays using primary neurons, iPSC-derived neurons, or primary cells.

**Panel Interviews for this role will be conducted after the New Year.**

Additional Information

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.