Protein Mass Spectrometry Specialist

Orion Corporation; Espoo; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Corporation is seeking a curious and collaborative scientist with expertise in protein mass spectrometry to join the Structural Biology and Discovery Technologies unit in Espoo, Finland. You will apply AS-MS, native MS, HDX-MS and related MS approaches to study proteins, protein-ligand interactions and mechanisms of action, collaborating with multidisciplinary drug-discovery teams.

You will work at the interface of mass spectrometry, biophysics and structural biology, integrating data to

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial pharma or biotech drug discovery.
• Proven ability to characterize protein–ligand interactions by MS.
• Familiar with MS data acquisition and analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Understand scientific questions and propose MS approaches to drive projects.
• Plan, design and execute MS experiments with AS-MS, native MS, HDX-MS, and related methods.
• Interpret results, assess quality and controls, and document conclusions.
• Integrate MS data with biochemical, biophysical and structural data.
• Communicate MS findings with multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate to plan ongoing and upcoming MS studies.
• Provide expert MS guidance in collaborations with external partners.
• Maintain and troubleshoot MS instruments, including HPLC and nanoLC.
• Stay updated on MS developments and identify new methods.

Skills

Protein MS

AS-MS

Native MS

HDX-MS

Peptide mapping

Proteomics

Data interpretation

Tools

Spectronaut

Chronos

DeutEx

UniDec

Protein Metrics

Analytical Studio

HPLC

nanoLC

Job description

Orion is looking for a curious and collaborative scientist with expertise in protein mass spectrometry to join the Structural Biology and Discovery Technologies unit. You will apply a range of mass spectrometry approaches to investigate proteins, protein-ligand interactions and mechanisms of action. Working closely with multidisciplinary drug-discovery teams, you will help understand their scientific questions and identify how protein mass spectrometry can provide the insights needed to move projects forward.

Your work will include affinity-selection mass spectrometry (AS-MS), native MS, intact LC-MS, chemoproteomics, peptide mapping and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). These complementary approaches will allow you to characterise proteins, investigate protein-small molecule interactions and understand how compounds modulate protein function.

You will work at the interface of mass spectrometry, protein science, biophysics, structural biology, chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, integrating complementary data to build a deeper understanding of proteins and their interactions with small molecules.

Responsibilities

• Engage with project teams to understand their scientific questions and propose appropriate protein mass spectrometry approaches to help move projects forward.
• Independently plan, design and execute protein mass spectrometry experiments using approaches including AS-MS, native MS, HDX-MS, intact LC-MS, peptide mapping and proteomics.
• Analyse and critically interpret experimental results, evaluating data quality, controls and alternative explanations, and appropriately document experimental details and conclusions.
• Integrate mass spectrometry results with complementary biochemical, biophysical and structural data to build a broader understanding of protein function, protein-ligand interactions and mechanisms of action.
• Communicate and discuss protein mass spectrometry findings and their scientific implications with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Collaborate within the group to plan and coordinate ongoing and upcoming protein mass spectrometry studies.
• Provide expert guidance on protein mass spectrometry-related questions arising from collaborations with external partners.
• Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of mass spectrometers and associated equipment, including HPLC, nanoLC and HDX instrumentation.
• Keep abreast of developments in protein mass spectrometry and identify opportunities for new methods, technology development and capability upgrades.
  

The position is full-time and based in Espoo, Finland. Collaboration with colleagues at Orion's other research sites, particularly Turku, and with external partners is an important part of the role. Travel between sites and to partner meetings may therefore be required. You will report to the Head of Structural Biology and Discovery Technologies.

What you can expect from us

You will join a highly collaborative scientific environment where your work supports real project decisions and the discovery of new therapeutic opportunities. You will work alongside experienced colleagues across chemistry, chemical biology, structural biology, protein science, modelling and therapeutic-area research, with room to develop your scientific breadth and take increasing ownership as your experience grows.

You will contribute to our chemoproteomics, HDX-MS, AS-MS and native MS capabilities, helping deepen our understanding of proteins, protein-ligand interactions and how compounds act in a cellular environment. The role offers opportunities to apply established techniques while also developing new mass spectrometry methods and technologies in response to evolving scientific and project needs.

At Orion Pharma, your work creates true impact and well-being for our customers, patients and society at large. Our culture of friendliness, respect, mutual appreciation and diversity creates a safe working environment where you can strive for excellence. We offer a wealth of career paths and development opportunities that support innovative solutions and improvements in quality of life.

We're looking for a scientist who combines hands-on protein mass spectrometry experience with a strong interest in applying these approaches to challenging questions in drug discovery.

Experience that would be an advantage

• Industrial pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug-discovery experience.
• Protein-ligand characterisation using mass spectrometry.
• Chemoproteomics
• Experience with specialist software used for MS data acquisition and analysis, such as Spectronaut, Chronos, DeutEx, UniDec, Protein Metrics or Analytical Studio.
• Experience with emerging drug-discovery approaches, including chemically induced proximity, targeted protein degradation, targeted protein stabilisation and targeted covalent inhibition.
• An understanding of protein construct design and protein characteristics relevant to biophysical and structural studies.
  

Your new team

Orion's pharmaceutical innovations are created within its R&D organization. We employ over 400 top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. We work globally: in Espoo and Turku in Finland, in Nottingham and Cambridge in the UK, and in Cambridge, MA, USA. Orion R&D and the Innovative Medicines business division are dedicated to making a transformation to become a global player in the pain and oncology therapy areas.

The Medicine Design department contributes to target validation and drives drug discovery from validated targets through to clinical candidate nomination, working closely with other functions to identify and develop suitable therapeutic modalities for new targets.

The Structural Biology and Discovery Technologies unit is part of Medicine Design, within the broader R&D organisation. The unit brings together capabilities that support early target assessment, hit discovery, the elucidation of protein mechanisms of action and the characterisation of protein-ligand interactions. We combine in-house mass spectrometry and NMR with cryo-EM and X-ray techniques accessed through a strong external network.

About Us

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company - a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.

We're home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we're proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

• Locations Orionintie 1 A, Espoo, 02200, FI (On-site)