Scientist, Protein Science

at  LifeArc

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• PhD in a relevant discipline/field OR BSc/MSc Degree with relevant laboratory experience in an industrial or academic setting.
• Experience in expressing soluble proteins in E. coli, purifying with AKTA systems, and in characterizing the proteins produced
• Experience in construct design, and molecular biology
• Experience in screening for the optimal expression and purification conditions

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• In developing methodologies to troubleshoot the production of challenging proteins
• A proven record of conducting independent research
• Curious and inquisitive, with a problem-solving mindset
• Good communication skills to enable effective working with the Protein Science and project teams and other relevant stakeholders

ABOUT US:

At LifeArc, our ambition is to make life science life changing. We do this by advancing scientific discoveries beyond the lab, faster, so that they can shape the next generation of diagnostics, treatments, and cures.
Working at the cutting edge of translational science and as the early-stage translation specialists, we progress scientific discoveries on their journey to becoming a medicine, diagnostic or intervention that improve patients’ lives. Our work begins by seeking out innovative science, then helping to develop this to a point where there is a clinical and commercial pathway for others to invest the time and money to take it further forward.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:

Focused on finding life changing solutions for underserved patients, our people thrive in an inclusive, and supportive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing. Our multidisciplinary approach guarantees our people growth opportunities, while our culture of innovation and collaboration drives the impact we make delivering on our purpose of ‘putting patients at the centre of everything we do’.
We are dedicated to creating a diverse, flexible, equitable and happy work environment so our colleagues can thrive as their truest selves. We act with courage, curiosity, care & commitment to deliver quality & excellence for our patients and each other Join us, and you’ll be given the scope to develop your professional skills and experience in a safe, supportive and challenging environment
Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds, for example, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At LifeArc we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so whatever your background or lived experience, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate, and you may be just right for this or other roles.
We all have potential. At LifeArc, you’ll discover what you can really do with it.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Chemical Biology group at LifeArc focuses on building platforms and driving projects aligned with LifeArc’s ambitious Translational Challenges to benefit patients. This role sits within the Protein Science team, and as a scientist you will use your expertise to design plasmids to express, purify and characterise target proteins to progress our projects. In this role you will work on cross-disciplinary project teams with a wealth of experience in the pre-clinical phase of drug discovery and development, with opportunities to apply and expand your skillset across our Protein Sciences team and our Translational Therapeutic Platforms.
We are looking for an experienced protein scientist who is passionate about producing high quality proteins for use in small molecule drug discovery. This is an opportunity for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic person to join LifeArc’s Translational Therapeutic Platforms team. You will support the Chemical Biology group’s small molecule drug discovery programmes by expressing, purifying, and characterising target proteins.

You will be responsible for:

• Analysing new target proteins using literature and database data, design expression constructs, and express the target proteins in bacterial, insect and/or mammalian systems
• Developing purification strategies and purify the expressed proteins using AKTA Pure or Avant systems (IMAC, SEC, IEX purifications)
• Performing basic characterisation of the purified proteins (A280, SDS-PAGE, DLS, DSF), and work with the Analytical Science team for more complex characterisations (SEC MALS, IEF, mass spec sequence confirmation)
• Demonstrating and maintain knowledge in own area of expertise and apply it to the successful execution of experiments
• Providing verbal and written reports/presentations internally when required
• Maintaining laboratory notebooks and other data to company standards
• Performing all work demonstrating due care and attention to all internal processes and procedures including health & safety and COSHH regulation