Biologist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.
• The Cardio Metabolic Research (CMR) of client focuses on the discovery of biologic, small-molecule, and genetic therapeutics for the treatment of diabetes, obesity, and associated complications.
• We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and versatile individual to help build a highly collaborative, successful drug discovery and development team within the CMR group in Boston.
• The ideal candidate should possess a solid background in cell culture and cell-based functional assays, playing an essential role in advancing our discovery initiatives and pipeline projects centered on anti-obesity therapeutics.
• In this role, the candidate will support assay development and perform established assays to validate new Clients and characterize the in vitro functions of Client therapeutics.
• Furthermore, the candidate will handle setting up essential laboratory capabilities and work with other scientists both within and across departments to meet project and departmental objectives.

Key position requirements/responsibilities include:

• Technical/scientific skills. Expertise in the following is a must-have: Aseptic cell culture techniques with mammalian cells.
• Transient transfections and generation of stable cell lines.
• Development of cell-based functional assays, biochemical and enzymatic assays and screening of Client therapeutics in 96-/384-well plate formats at a single concentration or in a concentration/response manner.
• Knowledge of basic pharmacology (e.g. concentration/response curves, determination of binding affinity, potency, Hill’s slope and in vitro efficacy).
• Mechanism of action studies of drugs.
• Experience with colorimetric, luminescence and fluorescence-based readouts, including HTRF. Proficient in operating plate readers, liquid handling robots and assay automation.
• Design, develop, and optimize in vitro enzymatic assays e.g., ADP-Glo, Kinase-Glo assays
• Gene expression studies by qPCR, western blot and FACS techniques.

Minimum qualifications:

• B.S. and/or M.S. in biology, pharmacology, biochemistry or related field.
• 8-10 years of laboratory experience.

Soft skills:

• Proficient oral and written communication skills and ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Requirement for accurate record keeping and independent data analysis.
• Will perform work in full compliance with Client Research Policies and complete all required training activities in the timeframe specified.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize work on multiple projects, timelines and company goals.
• Eager to grasp fundamental principles, swiftly acquire new abilities, and adjust to Client challenges.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Experience/expertise with the following is a plus: Native cell lines and primary cell cultures, iPSCs, co-cultures, 3D cultures.
• Industry experience.
• Exposure to multiple therapeutic Client classes (e.g. membrane receptors, including G-Protein Coupled Receptors or GPCRs, enzymes, transporters, etc.) and multiple modalities (small molecules, pep Products, antibodies, siRNAs, etc.).
• Experience with ELISA assays.
• Working knowledge or background in cardiometabolic diseases.