Senior Scientist - Biophysics

at  Domainex

• Would you like to make a major contribution to the discovery of new treatments for patients by using your scientific knowledge?
• Do you have experience of delivering high impact biophysics data to drug discovery projects?
  If so, Domainex has a vacancy for a permanent biophysics senior scientist to join our growing team. We value our members of staff and foster an environment of continuous development and learning. We offer our clients tailored services for every step of the drug discovery process, from expression of recombinant proteins and screening against disease targets to identify hit compounds, through the design and medicinal chemistry optimisation of hits and leads, to take these all the way to pre-clinical drug candidates. Our multidisciplinary team of scientists works closely with our partners to generate innovative ideas, and to deliver high-quality results and outputs (e.g. crystallography-grade proteins and novel compounds that meet the desired target product profile), whilst always upholding the very highest standards of confidentiality. We have established a strong reputation with a very high level of repeat business and a proven record of success, some of which we can illustrate through the publications and case studies our clients have allowed us to put in the public domain. We have received several awards recognising our customer focus and innovative approach to drug discovery.
  We have a vacancy for a Senior Scientist in biophysics. This is an outstanding opportunity for talented and passionate biophysicist to have an influential role in drug discovery projects at a well-respected integrated medicines research CRO in Cambridge, UK.
  Based within our Biology Department, as a lab-based scientist within the Biophysics group, you will join a rapidly growing, talented team. The Biology Department has leading capabilities in biophysics, enzymology, crystallography, and cellular pharmacology and emerging expertise with cryo-EM.
  The Biophysics team has expertise in molecular biophysical methods, including SPR/GCI, Spectral Shift, MST, ITC and DSF. We apply biophysics for different phases of early drug discovery from hit ID through to candidate selection for a variety of different modalities: small-molecules, fragments, bispecific ligands (e.g. for targeted protein degradation), molecular glues, RNA/DNA binders, antibodies and aptamers.
  You will be working in a fast-paced environment as part of an inter-disciplinary team to generate and interpret data and present data both internally and to our valued clients. You will have good problem-solving skills and able to regularly present data to key stakeholders internally and to clients through oral presentations and written reports.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant PhD or equivalent industrial experience
• Experience in one or more methods such as SPR, MST/Spectral Shift and ITC in drug discovery research
• An understanding of biophysical techniques and how they are applied to drug discovery projects
• Experience in small-molecule drug discovery in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
• Ability to problem solve and work independently
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a supportive team
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Protein expression and purification
• Structural biology (X-ray/CryoEM)
• Experience with NMR or mass spectrometry
• Membrane proteins
• Biochemical assays (e.g. HTRF, Luminescence, fluorescence polarisation)

Working collaboratively on drug discovery projects as part of an inter-disciplinary team, you will be a lab-based scientist and develop innovative approaches to generate high-quality data for clients.

• Work independently to develop bespoke biophysical assays using a range of techniques
• Provide quantitative biophysical data on protein-ligand binding including affinity, kinetic, thermodynamic or stoichiometric data to inform chemistry design and mechanistic understanding
• Complete library screening (fragments, virtual) and SAR screening using a range of biophysical assays
• Achieve personal scientific visibility through project contributions and client presentations, and external scientific visibility through conference poster/presentations
• Contribute towards writing new proposals for client projects
• Actively pursue own personal development
• Maintain appropriate awareness of safety procedures, attend required safety training and adhere to laboratory safety rules as defined by the host department
• Ensure that all duties are performed in accordance with organisational standards, policies and procedures