Scientist / Senior Scientist – Translational Biology and Target Validation

STORM Therapeutics is a University of Cambridge spin-out, translating the ground-breaking work of Professors Tony Kouzarides and Eric Miska in RNA epigenetics into the discovery of first-in-class drugs in oncology and other diseases. It is the leading company tackling cancer through the modulation of RNA modifying enzymes, including RNA methyltransferases, exemplified by the development of a first-in-class METTL3 inhibitor (Yankova et al., Nature 2021). STORM has developed a unique platform to pioneer drug development in this new field of RNA biology and established a pipeline of projects, aiming to take them to the clinic.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic Scientist / Senior Scientist to work in our Translational Biology and Target Validation team and support our small molecule drug discovery programmes. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivery of in-vitro pharmacology studies to understand mechanism of action of novel small molecule inhibitors and will contribute to the discovery and development of biomarker assays with clinical utility. In addition, they will be involved in Target Validation studies and RNA pathway analyses for existing and novel drug targets using genetic and pharmacological approaches.

The position is available at the Scientist or Senior Scientist level, depending on experience and qualifications.

STORM Therapeutics offers an industry competitive salary and benefits package.
STORM is backed by blue chip investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, Merck Ventures, Pfizer Ventures, Taiho Ventures LLC, IP Group and Seroba Life Sciences who share the founders’ ambitions to build a world-leading company in the field. To date, STORM Therapeutics has raised £42 million of funding. The company occupies modern, well-equipped laboratories on the Babraham Research Campus near Cambridge.

Qualifications and skills required

Essential qualifications and skills include:
• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry or another relevant discipline, or at least 3 years’ laboratory experience
• Significant experience in cell and molecular biology techniques and in tissue culture
• Knowledge of cancer cell biology and/or cancer immunology
• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in the UK.

Desirable additional skills:
• Experience of working in cancer drug discovery, preferably in an industrial setting
• Experience in oncology translational research
• Significant experience using Western blotting, Flow cytometry, microscopy and qPCR techniques
• Practical application of CRISPR, siRNA or shRNA techniques
• Experience working with RNA
• Experience working with complex cell culture models including 3D cell models or organoids
• Experience working with preclinical or clinical tissue samples

Competencies:
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Pursuit of the highest standards of scientific excellence
• Excellent organisational skills and a systematic and rigorous approach to work
• High attention to detail
• Result orientated and deadline driven
• A positive and flexible approach to often changing situations.
• Passion for drug discovery