Senior Research Associate - Skills Alliance : Job Details

mbedded within our client, the Center for the Development of Therapeutics (CDoT)) is a highly collaborative organization of professional drug discovery scientists. Our mission is to translate cutting edge biological insights originating from the community into impactful drug discovery projects. We combine our deep expertise in drug discovery with the knowledge and unique capabilities of our client to address a wide range of disease areas (including oncology, cardiovascular, psychiatry, infectious and rare diseases). We use systematic approaches in genomics, biology, chemistry, and machine learning coupled within our clients culture of creativity, risk taking, and open sharing, to successfully advance science, develop new treatments, and positively impact patients.

We are looking for an exceptional candidate for a Research Associate position for the Lead Discovery and Profiling (LDP) group within CDoT. LDP's mission is to contribute to society in a meaningful way by efficiently solving challenging problems for patients with unmet medical needs. To accelerate these goals, the successful candidate will perform cell biology and biochemistry research as a part of a collaborative screening team. This team works with collaborators within industry, the community and also in the greater research community to develop assays that are amenable to high throughput, small molecule screening campaigns to find hit compounds that interrogate disease biology or are starting points for therapeutic development. The candidate will routinely investigate new assay techniques and be exposed to a breadth of biology, as well as be cross trained in lab automation and other high throughput methodology. There may be additional opportunities to learn biochemical and biophysical techniques. Significant job responsibilities will include development of assays for screening of chemical molecules and genetic perturbations in a high throughput format using our fully automated robotic facility; performing the screens; and analyzing and interpreting the results.

The individual will be part of a larger, cross-functional team and be expected to be involved in the scientific process starting with project planning, execution, result interpretation, and communication of results, contributing to presentations and publications.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Propagate mammalian cell lines and primary cells

• Perform experiments to address scientific questions defined by group projects using cell-based or biochemical-based approaches

• Work independently and with team members to design and carry out experiments essential to the individual project and groups collective success. Make observations, analyze issues, record data and interpret results

• Investigate, learn, and develop new methods and technologies that might be relevant to the project.

• Analyze and interpret data and provide recommendations on next steps

• Consult the literature, supervisor, and other scientific staff as needed to troubleshoot experiments.

• Maintain detailed experimental records, documentation, and written protocols.

• Train and supervise junior team members

• Contribute to grant and manuscript writing as needed

• Implement lab notebook practices on a daily basis

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree +6 years of experience or Master's degree + 4 in a life science related field.

• Extensive cell culture experience and expertise is MUST

• Experience with high throughput screening in both cell-based and biochemical assays is an advantage

• Experience with primary cell culture and genetic modifications is an advantage

• Experience with high content imaging is an advantage

• Experience with construct cloning and assembly is appreciated

• Experience with liquid handling equipment and robotic systems is appreciated

• Experience with computational biology for data analysis is appreciated

• Ability to systematically approach and solve complex problems

• Ability to go into the details of experimental techniques and troubleshoot problems

• Ability to operate and maintain equipment and perform laboratory work with minimal supervision

• Ability to critically read, interpret, and adapt scientific literature and significantly contribute to scientific publications

• Ability to adapt and effectively manage changes in a fast-paced dynamic environment; experience managing, training, and/or mentoring of junior researchers

• Good communication skills and the ability to interact with scientist at all levels and scientific backgrounds

• Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills.

• High level of initiative and motivation; ability to work independently and with a team.

• Detail oriented and able to think creatively to solve problems.

The successful candidate will be a results-focused, team-oriented, and creative bench scientist, able to excel in a fast-track environment. They must be self-motivated, detail-oriented and exhibit strong problem-solving skills. In addition, the successful candidate should be a clear and effective communicator, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills to enable collaboration with project teams, peers, and management in identifying and achieving research goals.