Membrane Protein Biochemist/Structural biologist

OMass Therapeutics is an early stage drug discovery company specialized in applying state of the art biophysical platform technologies to discover therapies for severe unmet medical needs in immunology and genetically defined disorders. The company was founded by Professor Dame Carol Robinson to leverage her pioneering work in native mass spectrometry, in studies of dynamic protein assemblies, to characterise challenging drug targets including membrane proteins, such as GPCRs and solute carriers. The high resolution of our biophysical platform offers an unprecedented advantage in the detection of drug leads.

The company vision is to build an integrated drug discovery company, with biophysical platform technologies at its core, and develop a pipeline of novel therapies. Our ambition is to develop and ultimately commercialise our products.

Following successful Series A funding, the company is expanding significantly in different areas. This is an excellent time to join a dynamic growing company.

OMass Therapeutics is inviting applications for the position of Scientist II / Senior Scientist I (dependent on experience) to work within the Protein Biochemistry and Structural Biology team focused on the expression and purification of membrane proteins for drug discovery. The company offers a thriving and creative environment for a well-suited candidate to become an integral part of our future vision.

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in large-scale protein expression and purification, preferably also with membrane protein purification. Experience in handling protein samples and characterising expression levels and activity is key. The role is exclusively research based and as such, the ability to problem solve and develop innovative solutions within projects is a key attribute required for the role.

The role is based in our Oxford site.

Applications to be received by Tuesday 30th November 2021

The preferred candidate will have the following profile:

• A PhD or equivalent in a relevant area (Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology)
• Experience in a variety of molecular biology and cell culture techniques
• Experience in membrane protein expression methods in mammalian or insect cells
• Experience in membrane protein purification
• Experience with state-of-the-art structural biology techniques including crystallography and cryo-EM structure determination
• Analytical thinking and good problem-solving skills to overcome technical issues
• Excellent organizational and time management skills as well as the ability to work to strict deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work flexibly within a team as well as being highly self-motivated and work independently
• Familiarity with the biology of GPCRs or solute carriers
• Familiarity with reconstitution into nanodiscs or liposomes
• Experience with the expression of nanobodies or G protein complexes

Role Responsibilities:
• Purification of membrane proteins and biochemical/biophysical characterisation using a range of analytical techniques to provide high quality protein for different downstream applications including MS analysis and structure determination
• Design of membrane protein plasmid constructs and optimization of expression in insect and mammalian cells
• Construct engineering to optimise expression or protein stability
• Optimisation of detergent conditions and purification workflows to maximise membrane protein stability
• Work with external collaborators to access facilities for structure determination
• Maintain detailed laboratory records and keep up to date with relevant literature
• Work closely with mass spec scientists, medicinal chemists and pharmacologists to help advance different projects

OMass Therapeutics values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity, we also have full responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to work and live in the UK.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits
Location: Oxford