Scientist, Research Scientist, Drug Discovery

We are seeking an experienced individual with cancer research and oncologic drug discovery expertise to join the Discovery Biology team within the Oncology Thematic Research Center in Cambridge, MA. The qualified candidate is a highly motivated, interactive, and creative scientist with the ability to collaborate across a highly matrixed organization to advance programs from target discovery and validation through lead optimization, drug candidate selection, and IND‑enabling biology‑related activities.

This individual will be dedicated to designing and executing experimental studies related to the decisional progress of our programs from early stages all the way through IND filing. The candidate will be involved in executing biology bench studies that will advance the understanding of mechanism of action as well as developing various cellular assays to enable compound triaging and identification of potential drug candidates.

In addition, the individual will work closely with other functions such as informatics and predictive science, lead discovery and optimization, in vivo pharmacology, and translational research teams to design and execute work related to patient stratification, identification of appropriate PD markers, assay development/transfer for miniaturization, among others.

• Applies extensive scientific knowledge and technical skills to conduct molecular and cellular biology related studies to better understand target and disease biology
• Uses current and new technologies for function‑based characterization for small molecule hit validation, mechanism of action understanding, and compound triaging/ranking
• Designs and executes experiments independently, troubleshoots as needed, interprets and discusses data, with accurate, timely and detailed record‑keeping
• Performs laboratory work related but not limited to 2D/3D/spheroid cell culture and related cellular assays, Western blot and/or JESS, qRT‑PCR, flow cytometry, proliferation and/or cytotoxicity assays (CyQuant, CTG, apoptosis, Incu Cyte, etc.), high‑content imaging (e.g. Phenix), ELISA, MSD and/or HTRF assays, colony formation assay, processing of DNA/RNA/protein, IP/Co‑IP
• Generates and characterizes relevant cell models, such as using genetic tools (CRISPR, shRNA, siRNA, lentiviral mediated target over-expression, etc.) and establishing drug‑resistant cell lines
• Collaborates with rest of biology team members as well as other functional area leads e.g. pharmacology, DMPK, informatics and predictive science, etc.
• Communicates via email, meetings, and reports
• Makes presentations in small, multidisciplinary meetings, logically presenting data and interpretation to convey clear, key messages

• Design and implementation of high-throughput cell‑based reporter assays to characterize drug candidates
• Establish stable cell lines via lentiviral transduction and maintain mammalian cell lines
• Conduct routine molecular and cellular experiments including DNA/RNA/protein extraction, immunoblot analysis, and immunoprecipitation
• Assist senior researchers in executing, conducting analyses, and reporting results of experiments
• Familiarity with literature and internal best practices to identify opportunities to improve productivity and quality of work
• Analyze, troubleshoot, and recommend corrective actions for routine problems
• Maintain an accurate, comprehensive, and current laboratory notebook
• Write protocols, procedures, and technical reports
• Communicate results via written reports and oral presentations

• BS with 5 years of experience post‑graduation or MS
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture, plate‑based cellular assays, immunoblotting, lentiviral infection, cellular transfection, and basic molecular biology techniques
• Experience with medium and high‑throughput screening is highly preferred
• Experience with targeted protein degradation assay is a plus
• Familiarity with automation instruments and multi‑mode plate readers
• Outstanding problem‑solving and organization skills
• Effective team player and strong individual…