Pharmacology Scientists (Senior Scientist I / Senior Scientist II DOE)

OMass Therapeutics is an early-stage drug discovery company, applying its unique OdyssION™ technology platform, which comprises novel biochemistry techniques, next-generation native mass spectrometry, and custom chemistry, to discover small molecule therapeutics for rare diseases and immunological conditions.

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. 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 the ambition to develop and ultimately commercialise our products.

With state-of-the-art laboratories OMass is able to perform high resolution native mass spectrometry measurements, pharmacological studies, chemical computational analysis and more recently high-resolution structure determination, including crystallography and cryo-EM. Our expert pharmacology team drives compound profiling and mechanism of action studies using cutting edge assay technologies ranging from biochemical through to primary human cell phenotypic assays. The team plays a central role in all programs from target validation through to candidate selection.

Headquartered in Oxford, UK, OMass has raised over $150M (£119M) from a top-tier international investor syndicate, including Syncona, Oxford Science Enterprises, GV, Northpond Ventures, and Sanofi Ventures. This is an excellent time to join our dynamic growing company.

OMass Therapeutics is inviting applications for the positions of Senior Pharmacology Scientist to work within the Pharmacology team. The company offers a collaborative and innovative environment for a well-suited candidate to become an integral part of our future vision.

The successful candidates will be independent and agile thinkers who can define and establish recombinant and cell-based assays to allow quantitative interpretation of compound effects in support of our ongoing drug discovery projects.

Applications to be received by 9am, 5th September 2022 (BST)

Essential Experience, Skills and Qualities
• PhD or equivalent in Pharmacology, or related discipline.
• Proven experience of developing and utilising relevant ligand binding and functional assay systems to interrogate compound mechanism of action.
• Excellent analytical skills to independently lead quantitative analysis of compound effects with strong background knowledge in pharmacology theory.
• Track record of establishing and validating mammalian cell-based assays to study disease relevant molecular pathways.
• Experience in fluorescence and luminescence-based technologies and assay systems in conjunction with multi-mode plate readers.
• Experience culturing and handling various recombinant and immortalised primary cell lines, as well as generating and validating new recombinant cell lines.
• Innovative and ambitious mindset to develop and implement new technologies and protocols, with an inquisitive and agile approach to problem-solving and overcoming technical challenges.
• Focused to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, with the ability to prioritise and deliver high quality work to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills, both written and verbal, to thrive in a highly collaborative environment respectful and receptive to others’ diverse ideas, experience and perspectives.
• Motivated to continuously learn and take on challenges in the pursuit of delivering novel therapeutics.

Preferred Experience and Skills
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• Experience in either GPCRs, solute carriers or innate immunity
• Experience of working with automated liquid handling systems

Role Responsibilities
• In vitro cell-based and ligand binding assay development using technologies such as fluorescence, luminescence and radiometric readouts
• Profiling of novel compound activity using a range of in vitro binding and functional cell-based assays
• Application of pharmacological theory and models to generate quantitative descriptors of compound action e.g. system-dependent scales of efficacy and kinetic profiles
• Culture and maintenance of mammalian primary and immortalised cell lines. Genetic manipulation of cells including generation of new recombinant cell lines and gene silencing approaches (eg siRNA, CRISPR/Cas9)
• Designing and performing studies to elucidate compound mechanism of action with particular emphasis on translation to preclinical animal models and into the clinic
• Providing scientific mentorship and training to more junior members of the team
• Exercising committed compliance to company policies, including reliable and timely recording of data into company databases
• Share information openly and work collaboratively with other departments to help advance different projects and achieve company goals.
• Promote and adhere to OMass’ values of being Ambitious, Responsible, Innovative, Focused, Caring and Collaborative.

Job Type: Full-time, 2 year Fixed Term Contract and permanent roles available
Location: Oxford / Nottingham (to be discussed)
Salary: Competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits

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.