Senior/Principal Scientist, Biophysics & Structural Biology

About Us
We are looking for dedicated professionals who thrive on tackling complex challenges and are committed to improving the lives of patients. If you value innovation, collaboration, and integrity, and are eager to contribute to advancing therapies for renal diseases, we encourage you to join our team. Based in the state-of-the-art Bakar Labs in Berkeley, CA, we are focused on pioneering medicines that make a meaningful impact.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative  Scientist with expertise in Membrane Protein Engineering and Biophysical characterization, and/or Cryo-electron Microscopy to join Renasant Bio’s multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will apply their expertise in protein engineering, biophysical assay development, and cryoEM to shed light on the mechanism of action of compounds for the treatment of renal diseases and support the development of targeted therapies. This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and chemistry, to advance our understanding of renal disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
This newly created role will report directly to our Senior Vice President, Chemistry.

What You'll Do

• Design protein constructs, express and purify membrane proteins from mammalian cells and cell-free expression systems
• Apply state-of-the-art biophysical methods to study protein-ligand interactions, structural dynamics, and molecular mechanisms underlying renal diseases.
• Conduct experiments using techniques such as DSF, CETSA, Mass Spectroscopy,  and cryoEM to characterize biomolecules and drug candidates.
• Outsource aspects of the work, oversee CROs
• Provide insights into the structure-activity relationship (SAR) to guide lead optimization.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets, integrating biophysical findings with biological and chemical data to inform decision-making.
• Present results to internal teams and external stakeholders in clear, concise reports and presentations.
• Work closely with internal teams, including computational biology, and medicinal chemistry, to advance therapeutic programs.
• Stay abreast of emerging biophysical technologies and apply innovative approaches to address research challenges.
• Contribute to publications, patents, and conference presentations to share findings and advance the field of renal therapeutics.

What You'll Bring

• PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or a related field, with 5+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience.
• Expertise in membrane protein engineering, mammalian cells expression and purification, cell-free protein expression with nanodiscs, liposomes etc.
• Expertise in biophysical techniques such as DSF, CETSA, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, or related methods.
• Strong understanding of protein structure, dynamics, and ligand binding.
• Proficiency in data analysis software and molecular modeling tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of scientific publications or presentations.

We believe in building balanced teams. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.