Scientist

Connect Life Sciences; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Exelixis is seeking a highly motivated, hands-on LC-MS/MS scientist to join the Drug Discovery Sciences team in Alameda, CA on a 12-month contract, onsite. The successful candidate will perform LC-MS/MS analyses in support of animal PK/TK/PD and efficacy studies and will work with CROs as needed.

The role requires strong LC-MS/MS expertise with experience in small molecule analyses, data processing, and report generation using Phoenix WinNonlin.

Qualifications

• Hands-on LC-MS/MS experience required for small molecules in biological matrices.
• Experience with PK, TK, PD and efficacy studies in drug discovery settings is preferred.
• Experience with preclinical formulation development and data reporting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on LC-MS/MS analysis for PK/TK/PD studies supporting drug discovery.
• Develop and validate LC-MS methods for preclinical in vivo and in vitro ADME work.
• Prepare reports and analyses using Phoenix WinNonlin and other software.
• Collaborate with DDS team and CROs to generate high-quality data.

Skills

LC-MS/MS hands-on

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related discipline

Master’s degree in related discipline

Tools

Phoenix 64 WinNonlin

Sciex Analyst

Sciex OS

Agilent MassHunter

Agilent Bioconfirm

RapidFire/QTOF 6545XT

ZenoTOF 7600

QTRAP 6500+

Job description

• This is a 12-month contract position and is fully onsite in Alameda, CA.
• Hands-on LC-MS/MS experience is the primary non-negotiable requirement. Candidates should have direct experience performing LC-MS/MS bioanalytical work in biological matrices.
• Candidates with experience from CROs are strongly encouraged and should be prioritized for submission, particularly those with hands-on LC-MS/MS bioanalytical experience supporting drug discovery, DMPK, ADME, and PK studies.
• Recruiters should prioritize candidates with strong hands-on LC-MS/MS expertise and consider gaps in ADME, Phoenix WinNonlin, formulation, HRMS, or QTOF experience as trainable.
• Hands-on LC-MS/MS experience is the key requirement. ADME, Phoenix WinNonlin, HRMS, and QTOF experience are all valuable differentiators; however, candidates may be considered even if they do not have experience in every one of these areas.

Top Skills:

• Hands-on experience with LC-MS/MS,
• Experience with preclinical formulation development
• Experience using Phoenix 64 WinNonlin software for PK data analysis and report generation.
• Experience with RapidFire/QTOF 6545XT, Sciex UHPLC/ZenoTOF 7600, and Sciex UHPLC/QTRAP 6500+ systems, is a plus.

Strong Plus:

• Perform in vitro ADME experiments including but not limited to in vitro stability (e.g., microsomal, hepatocyte, and plasma), and protein binding.

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

Exelixis is seeking a highly self-motivated, interactive, and productive hands-on scientist to join the Drug Discovery Sciences team working towards discovery of anti-cancer agents for the treatment of targeted indications. The successful candidate will have strong knowledge and extensive experience focused on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of small molecules and peptides in different biological matrices. Qualified candidate will work independently as well as collaboratively with internal DDS team, our Alameda based Drug Discovery Scientists, as well as CROs to generate high-quality data to drive programs forward.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform hands-on laboratory research and routine LC-MS/MS analysis of small molecules to support animal pharmacokinetic (PK), toxicokinetic (TK), PD and efficacy studies for drug discovery projects.
• Perform formulation test for pre-clinical in vivo studies and in vitro ADME experiments including but not limited to in vitro stability (e.g., microsomal, hepatocyte, and plasma), and protein binding
• Acquire and process data, interpret results and generate reports using multiple software tools such as Sciex Analyst Software 1.7, Sciex OS 2.0,
• Generate PK reports using Phoenix 64 WinNonlin software in support of animal PK studies.
• Work with in vivo team to perform formulation and stability testing
• Prepare concise and organized analytic protocols and results reports using MS Word, Excel, GraphPad and effective PowerPoint presentations of experimental results to drug discovery project teams.
• Troubleshoot and maintain instruments to sustain analytical performance, data reproducibility and reliability to deliver results to project teams within a timely manner.
• Adapt new technology platforms and novel tools for DMPK challenges.
• Maintains electronic laboratory notebook in a complete, consistent, and concise manner in accordance with company intellectual property policies and practices
• Adhere to good health and safety practices and compliance with applicable EH&S safety rules and participate in mandatory safety and other mandatory training programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No supervisory responsibilities

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline and at least 2-5 years of related experience; or
• Master’s degree in related discipline and at least 1 year of related experience.

Experience:

• Hands-on experience with LC-MS/MS, HRMS, and liquid handler for the quantitation of small molecules and metabolites in biological matrices such as whole blood, plasma, serum, and tissues.
• Identify issues and troubleshoot scientific equipment including LC-MS/MS, select and develop appropriate methods to perform experiments, analyze data and prepare related reports
• Experience using Phoenix 64 WinNonlin software for PK data analysis and report generation.
• Experience with RapidFire/QTOF 6545XT, Sciex UHPLC/ZenoTOF 7600, and Sciex UHPLC/QTRAP 6500+ systems, is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with formulation test for pre-clinical in vivo studies

Knowledge/Skills:

• Proficiency in Sciex and Agilent LC/MS/MS instruments, ESI and APCI ionization, and QTOF mass spectrometry, as well as related software Sciex Analyst, Sciex OS, Agilent MassHunter, and Agilent Bioconfirm, is essential.
• Proficiency in sample extraction techniques for small molecules in matrices like blood, plasma, urine, feces, bile and tumors. Understanding of peptide extraction and LC-MS analysis is a plus.
• Knowledge of Phoenix 64 WinNonlin software for PK data analysis and report generation.
• Proficiency with computers including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel is required.
• Demonstrated data analysis skills, problem solving skills and written/verbal communication skills.
• Work effectively, independently, and capable of multi-tasking and prioritizing assignments.
• Excellent collaborative, verbal and written communication skills, data analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, and organization skills
• Detail oriented, can multi-task and work on multiple projects concurrently. Ability to work in a fast-paced organization.