Summary:

The Assay Development Team led by Dr. Eduard Sergienko works on a diverse portfolio of projects, with disease targets such as neurodegenerative diseases, epigenetics and cancer. The group supports a variety of assays for high-throughput screening, high-content screening, and structure-activity relationship determination for lead generation.

We are recruiting for a Senior Associate Scientist who will be primarily responsible for scientific activities associated with small molecule drug/chemical probe discovery projects under the direction of Dr. Sergienko, and in collaboration with other team leaders within the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics (Prebys Center). The candidate will conduct bench research for translational research projects and contribute to advancing viable programs along the drug discovery itinerary. This position is an excellent opportunity to be exposed to a dynamic range of drug discovery research techniques, be mentored by industry professionals in an academic setting, and to hone the skills and rigor demanded by Pharma.

The vision of the Prebys Center at Sanford Burnham Prebys is to be the world’s leading academic drug discovery and development organization, an epicenter for innovative approaches to accelerate the discovery of new drugs to help save lives and treat disease. This is an exciting opportunity to directly support biomedical and drug discovery projects with an end goal developing diverse capabilities throughout the pre-clinical drug discovery pipeline and ultimately benefiting patients.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs and performs experiments and procedures requiring specific or technical knowledge and laboratory techniques with minimal input from supervisor
• Performs bacterial and eukaryotic cell culture, generates and maintains stable cell lines, carries protein cloning, purification and characterization
• Independently generates and analyzes biochemical data, acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments
• Presents results to supervisor, lab and and/or external stakeholders in a concise way and makes suggestions for next logical steps,
• Suggests new approaches to established procedures, such as modifications or improvements
• Independently solves all but the most challenging problems
• Assists with the preparation of reports for pertinent projects
• Diligently documents performed experiments in lab notebooks and/or designated electronic data system such that other team members can independently reproduce the experimental procedures and data
• Contributes to writing of reports and manuscripts, with increasing responsibility over time
• Collaborates with team members and with cross-unit teams to successfully execute a project to meet its milestones and objectives
• Trains less experienced team members as needed
• Operates specialized equipment requiring a high degree of skill and troubleshoots problems of increasing complexity
• Maintains infrastructure of laboratory as required

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline such as biology, pharmacology or chemistry (preferred) or related field and five years’ experience in drug discovery or applied laboratory research (e.g. organic synthesis) or equivalent education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained required OR:
• Master’s degree in a scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or pharmacology or related field and two-years experience in drug discovery or applied laboratory research

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Practical knowledge of enzymology, and biochemical and cell-based assays
• Able to use various sources of literature to practically apply information to work
• Able to learn new instrumentation and software
• Able to simultaneously handle multiple projects in a rapidly changing, deadline-driven environment
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to present research results concisely
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible and have strong time management skills
• Able to analyze and resolve issues of moderate complexity
• Possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals.