Associate Principal Scientist, Screening & Compound Profiling

Job Description

We are on a quest for cures and are committed to be the world’s premier, most research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. Our teams combine leading drug discovery capabilities and world-class R&D with the purpose of turning breakthrough science into life-changing medicines.

The Screening & Compound Profiling Group is seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist with a strong background in biochemical and cell-based assays and participation on cross-functional teams to drive drug discovery  the development of physiological relevant cellular assays to join our Quantitative Biosciences Department at our Research Laboratories in Rahway, NJ.  The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to develop CRISPR cell lines to support our early pipeline and develop novel in vitro translational pharmacology assays to support screening small molecules and peptides for oncology, neuroscience and cardiovascular disease areas. The ideal candidate will have experience with a variety of cell-based assays with an emphasis on complex cellular models such as iPSC, 3D, co-culture and primary cells.  Knowledge and understanding of miniaturized assays (384w/ 1536w) and downstream detectors ranging from standard luminescence-/fluorescence-based readouts to imaging and cell-microarray based platforms is desired. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities, and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

The Screening & Compound Profiling group at our company's Research Laboratories site in Rahway, NJ is looking for a highly motivated, talented and innovative Associate Principal Scientist with experience a strong background in biochemical and cell-based assays and participation on cross-functional teams to drive drug discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas.  Successful individuals will use cutting-edge technologies to access unparalleled synthetically accessible chemical diversity. Scientists will be immersed in a multi-disciplinary environment (collaborating with Discovery Chemistry, Computational Structural Chemistry, Quantitative Biosciences and project team colleagues) charged with progressing hits using detailed biochemical and cellular mechanistic profiling paired with state-of-the-art informatics and high-throughput experimentation.  Output from such work will enable drug discovery programs across oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiometabolic and infectious disease. 

We recognize that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviors in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, plan and execute robust scientific research activities utilizing biochemical & cell-based assays ‘at-scale’ to accelerate lead discovery.

• Represent Screening & Compound Profiling on cross-functional project teams influencing strategic direction with data/progress updates & insight.

• Contribute to a high-performance culture of inclusion, collaboration, engagement and self-accountability.

• Promote the external reputation of our department by contributing to publications and participating in external symposia.

Education:

• Post-graduate degree in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or equivalent, including years of relevant in vitro assay and industry cross-functional team experience as appropriate: Ph.D. (4+ years), M.Sc. (7+ years) or B.Sc. (10+ years).

Required Skills & Experience:

• Guidance of scientific operations, strategy, and communication with a track record of collaboration on multidisciplinary teams in one or more therapeutic area(s).

• Interaction with therapeutic areas and chemistry across high-throughput screening, hit-to-lead and/or lead optimization discovery space.

• Extensive development of assays for soluble (e.g. kinases, phosphatases) and membrane (e.g. GPCR’s, ion channels, transporters) proteins.

• Demonstrated ability to work under tight timelines and independently execute experimental tasks.

• Passion for fostering a diverse and inclusive culture and contributing to the growth and success of colleagues.

• Strong external reputation as evidenced through publications, presentations, and/or scientific community engagement.

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with a proven track-record of maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Applicatio