Scientist - Preclinical Development, Protein Biophysics

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Monrovia (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Participation in Company's option plan

3% retirement safe harbor contribution

Fully-paid medical benefits

Fully-paid dental benefits

Fully-paid vision benefits

Life and disability benefits

Job summary

An innovative biotechnology company is on the lookout for a passionate biochemist to join their dynamic team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of drug discovery, focusing on protein engineering and assay development. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in optimizing protein screening and characterizing biochemical interactions. With a supportive and collaborative environment, this position is perfect for someone eager to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in human health. If you're driven, creative, and ready to tackle complex challenges, this is the ideal opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc/BSc with extensive experience in biophysics or biochemistry.
• Hands-on experience in protein characterization and assay development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with protein biochemist on protein quality and characterization.
• Develop biophysical assays and analyze binding properties.

Skills

Protein Engineering

Biophysical Assay Development

Protein Purification

Data Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Education

PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry or Enzymology

MSc/BSc with 10+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

Western Blot

SDS-PAGE

Size-Exclusion Chromatography

HPLC

Liquid Handling Systems (Tempest, BRAVO)

Job description

Company Overview:

Terray Therapeutics is a venture-backed biotechnology company led by pioneers and long-time leaders in artificial intelligence, synthetic chemistry, automation, and nanotechnology. We’re generating chemical data purpose-built to propel drug discovery into the information age — and we’re doing it on a larger scale and faster than has ever before been possible. Our closed loop system generates precise chemical datasets at unrivaled scale that work seamlessly with AI to systematically map biochemical interactions between small molecules and causes of disease. Iterative cycles of virtual molecular design and experimentation power AI and machine learning models, which in turn guide the next cycle of design. With a chemistry engine that measures billions of interactions daily and becomes increasingly precise with every cycle, we can answer an unprecedented array of questions — deriving insights that enable us to predictably create drugs for patients in need.

Position Summary:

Terray Therapeutics is seeking a motivated, creative, and experienced biochemist to join our team. The candidate will work closely with the protein scientist and be a pivotal member in collaboration between our screening and assay development teams. The successful candidate will be expected to be familiar with basic physical properties of targets of interest (based on literature and experimental sources) and play a key role in protein engineering, initial assay development and optimization. This position offers a unique opportunity to be a part of a multidisciplinary team in the frontiers of drug discovery and development.

Core Responsibilities:

• Working closely with protein biochemist: Assess protein inventory, check the quality of our proteins in activity assays, characterize purity and post-translational modification using different techniques (Western Blot, SDS-PAGE, Size-Exclusion Chromatography, HPLC); optimize buffer and additive conditions for protein screening by thermal stability (nanoDSF, TSA).
• Perform biophysical assay development on target of interest and consecutively identify small molecule binding properties using SPR.
• Occasionally, assist other departments in protein acquisition as well as perform protein direct labeling and production needs using SOPs.
• As needed, this role will be expected to work closely with other teams and provide assistance in assay optimization, development and sample preparation.
• Record experiments in electronic notebook, analyze data and communicate results.
• Support organization of lab and equipment as needed.

Experience and Qualifications:

Part of Terray’s success is nurtured by a hands-on work environment where everyone is accountable, vested in a vision of excellence, and actively taking part in the success of the business. Terray supports a positive work environment where employees can feel engaged, recognized and empowered to be creative.

Qualifications:

• PhD in field of biophysics, biochemistry or enzymology OR
• MSc/BSc with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Background in protein expression, purification or protein/small molecule biophysical characterization.
• Previous experience acquiring binding data (Kd) using a variety of biophysical methods such as MST, ITC, SPR (preferred).
• Hands-on experience in measuring small molecule/target binding using orthogonal assay approach.
• Previous experience working with Liquid Handling systems (Tempest, BRAVO) in 96-well/384-well format is a plus.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills and can thrive in a highly collaborative research environment.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency, attention to detail, ability to troubleshoot to solve problems and to deliver high quality data.

They will exhibit the ability to work well under pressure to provide results in a short timeframe. The company is looking for a highly responsive, goal-oriented individual who will bring significant energy and drive to solve complex technical problems and help us achieve our mission to advance human health.

Compensation Details:

$104,000 - $156,000 (annually) depending on skill level; participation in the Company's option plan; 3% retirement safe harbor contribution; fully-paid medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.