Mission Therapeutics is an early-stage drug development company targeting the ubiquitin pathway for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, rare mitochondrial diseases and fibrosis. The Company has built a leading platform for the discovery and development of first-in-class, small molecule drugs that selectively target deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) – an emerging drug class that is attracting significant commercial interest in the area of protein homeostasis.
We are looking for a driven, organised and proactive individual to join our Translational Sciences team at our Cambridge, UK based facilities. Mission Therapeutics is ideally situated in a fantastic new facility on the Babraham Research Campus at the heart of Europe’s largest biotechnology cluster.
The primary responsibility of the Principal Scientist is to drive the CNS translational strategy for our main pipeline projects and external collaborative projects with big pharma. The position holder will utilise their knowledge of translatable markers/endpoints for use in non-clinical in vivo models and support deployment as part of the clinical development plan.
Key responsibilities of the role will include
• Lead the CNS translational marker strategy for leading pipeline projects
o Identify candidate target engagement, pharmacodynamic and disease relevant markers based on mechanism and disease understanding e.g. imaging, e-phys, CSF or blood-based markers.
o Utilize preclinical in vivo systems to establish PK/PD package supporting dose estimates for early clinical development.
o Support selection and deployment of markers/assessments in clinical development plan.
• Design and delivery of in vivo target engagement, pharmacodynamics and disease relevant marker studies in experimental systems relevant to Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.
• Critically analyse and interpret complex data sets, utilizing appropriate statistics.
• Define realistic timelines for studies and meet delivery deadlines.
• Oversight and management of ongoing and new/planned studies at both contract research organisations and academic centres.
• Establish new, or develop pre-existing, CNS translational network to help support project translational strategies.
• Authorship of research reports for inclusion in regulatory documentation.
• Input into early CNS translational science plans for ongoing collaborations with big pharma.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience
• Ph.D. in neurology/neuroscience with at least 3 years of relevant pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Experience of studying translational markers/assessments (e.g. imaging, e-phys, fluid markers) relevant for CNS indications.
• Practical experience investigating one or more of the following areas in vivo: mitochondrial dysfunction, protein mis-folding and aggregation, protein spreading and seeding, cellular proteostasis mechanisms, neuroinflammation.
• Experience working in cross-functional and matrixed Research and Translational teams.
• Experience in advancement of compounds through project milestones (i.e. candidate selection) as pharmacology or translational line representative.
• Publications relevant to translational science in the field of Parkinson’s Disease or other Neurodegenerative diseases.
• Understanding mechanisms and genetics underlying neurodegenerative diseases, and good knowledge of the drug discovery/development space in this area.
• Use of relevant in vivo models and experience of working with CROs to deliver in vivo studies.
• Able to establish, maintain and manage effective collaborations with external partners.
• Previous experience of effective team leading and line management is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills at both detailed and summarised levels.
• Team player with ability to conduct independent research.
• Able to quickly prioritise deliverables according to team and business requirements.
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary along with a contributory pension scheme and other excellent benefits.
The closing date for applications is Friday 30th October 2020.
In order to comply with UK employment legislation, all applicants for positions at Mission must have the right to work in the UK. In the event that a job offer is made, you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK before you commence employment with Mission.
All applications received will be managed in accordance with our Job Applicant Privacy Notice available to view on the Careers page of our website www.missiontherapeutics.com
If you would like to apply for the position, please send your CV with a covering letter to hr@missiontherapeutics.com.