Cellular Biology & Screening Scientists

TITLE: Cellular Biology & Screening Scientists
LOCATION: Cambridge, UK
SALARY: Competitive salary and benefits package, relative to qualifications and experience

POSITION SUMMARY

Amphista Therapeutics is a fast-growing biotech and the leading Europe-based Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) company. Initially founded from the laboratory of Professor Alessio Ciulli (University of Dundee) our team comprises both academic and drug discovery pioneers of the TPD field and a growing R&D team focused on advancing a portfolio of medicines to the clinic using our proprietary next generation TPD technologies. We recently completed an oversubscribed $53M funding round to allow us to progress our portfolio of projects and greatly strengthen the development of our underlying scientific platform.

Amphista’s approaches use completely novel mechanisms to build on all the advantages of TPD while directly addressing the emerging limitations of existing TPD strategies to expand the utility of the field. In particular, we have shown our approach has the potential to be superior to all other TPD approaches (PROTACs, molecular glues etc) through our unique novel mechanisms giving expanded scope, improved druglike properties and reduced tumour resistance potential. We have a range of projects in the discovery phase, initially focused on oncology with potential to expand into other therapy areas including CNS disease & immunology. Amphista R&D is based in our twin research hubs in BioCity Glasgow, and Cambridge, UK from where we also work with a wide range of global collaborators and CROs.

We are seeking a number of drug discovery cell biology & screening scientists to join our new team based in our Cambridge research hub, due to open in late 2021, which will support cell biology, screening, disease model assessment and lead characterisation across our portfolio of projects moving towards clinical studies. A number of lab-based roles are available which will suit a range of candidates from those with extensive experience of working in a drug discovery setting through to earlier career scientists recently completed a PhD or post-doctoral studies with a strong desire to begin a career in drug discovery.

The Amphista team contains a wide range of experienced drug discovery experts across both biology and chemistry disciplines, creating the ideal learning environment to advance your scientific career development quickly. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast growing and dynamic company operating at the cutting edge of protein degradation-based drug discovery to develop first-in-class medicines to treat cancer and other areas of high unmet medical need.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Supporting one or more active drug discovery projects: developing assays, characterising hit and lead molecules, contributing to discussions on project planning and strategy
• Contributing to wider development of the Amphista platform through characterising mode of action of lead molecules and assisting in discovery & characterisation of new mechanisms.
• Developing relevant, novel and innovative cell-based and biochemical assays to address project challenges and support drug discovery projects in the area of oncology as well as applying these assays to screen and profile cellular activity of novel compounds and to interrogate target biology/disease relevant mechanisms
• Contributing to discussions and work on target selection and project planning.
• Culturing human cell lines and using a range of technologies to generate new cell lines.
• Critically analysing project data and contributing ideas that will drive projects forward.
• Working in an interdisciplinary team to support research strategies and project goals.
• Working with external collaborators including CROs and academic experts to seek input and generate project data to answer specific questions.
• Participating in building out the research capabilities of the Amphista Biology group including establishing and growing the Amphista Cambridge labs.
• Presenting and communicating plans and results internally and, when needed, externally at international conferences.

Essential requirements:
• Ph.D in Biology, Pharmacology, Cell biology or a related discipline or a BSc/MSc degree with significant relevant experience of leading projects to successful milestones and conclusions.
• Strong experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques applied to the development of physiologically-relevant cellular assays and systems applied to target validation, compound characterisation and screening.
o A practical understanding of a wide range of cellular assay methods and technologies, including mass spectrometry, fluorescence and luminescence
o Expertise in cloning, stable cell line generation, gene expression knockdown
• Deep knowledge of mechanisms of disease biology in oncology, immunology and/or CNS disease.
• Evidence of significant scientific productivity and impact through your own personal contributions leading to projects reaching significant milestones
• Outstanding track record evidenced by publication and presentation record
• Demonstrated excellence in independently planning and executing experiments as well as critical data analysis skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication and effective team working with a ‘can-do’ approach to problem solving.
• Excellent organisational and self-motivational skills, with track record of prioritising work and keeping to deadlines

Experience in the following areas would be preferred but not essential:
• Familiarity with biology of ubiquitin-proteasome system or previous experience characterising Targeted Protein Degradation-based agents.
• Experience working as part of multi-disciplinary teams in a drug discovery setting in eg pharma, biotech or an academic drug discovery unit.