MSD Associate Principal Scientist Director 

United Kingdom, England, London 

159626162

Job Description

Role Overview:

You will be laboratory based and responsible for designing, conducting, and analysing in vitro experiments to assess the function of our pre-candidate molecules. Your research will also help dissect the mechanism of action of these novel therapeutics. You will regularly present your research findings in small team meetings, wider-group discussions and to cross-functional stakeholders. Additionally, you will be expected to review emerging literature and internal data to assist in identifying new targets and contribute to target validation activities.

What you will need to be successful in this role:

• We recognise that the diversity in our team is our strength and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Successful candidates must demonstrate inclusive behaviours in working with a diverse group of scientists to drive our core mission.
• Succeeding in this role will require excellent communication skills and both independent initiative and a strong team work ethic.
• A high level of motivation with the ability to deliver to tight timelines and work effectively across departments and multi-disciplinary teams.

• Passion for innovation and problem-solving.
• Good organisational, time management and record keeping skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate a “one-team” mindset by proactively engaging in lab and department initiatives.
• Support drug discovery programs through design, engineering and characterisation of biologics, including antibodies and multi-specific molecules.
• Be proactive in review of cutting-edge technologies in the field to bring the next advances in protein engineering and antibody discovery that will continuously improve our platform and efficiencies.
• Working cross-functionally, the successful candidate may co-lead discovery programmes from tool-molecule generation through preclinical development of therapeutic candidates.
• Serve as Discovery Biologics representative to advance programs from early discovery to development and / or start of IND-enabling studies.

Essential Experience

• PhD in Biochemistry / Immunology / Neuroscience / Molecular Biology (or related field) and a minimum of 5+ years of industry experience, or a M.Sc. and a minimum of 9+ years industry experience, or a B.Sc. with 12+ years of industry experience.
• Deep scientific knowledge across some of the workflows and domains integral to the discovery of protein therapeutics for example: antibody discovery, immunology, protein expression/purification, antibody or protein design and engineering, FACS, protein characterisation or developability assessment.

Preferred experience:

• Experience of developing antibody-based therapeutics.
• Clear evidence of driving scientific or platform innovations.
• Experience in protein design, production and characterisation of antibodies, or antibody-like scaffolds using common expression systems (e.g. mammalian) and purification methods (e.g. AKTA systems), and the ability to profile constructs (e.g. SPR; biochemical assays)
• Experience in antibody discovery technologies including hybridoma, phage display, B cell culture and flow cytometry would be beneficial.
• Experience of antibody discovery digital skills and awareness e.g., using NGS and other large data, working with data scientists and structural biologists and would be advantageous.
• Experience in advancing protein therapeutics through discovery to pre-clinical candidate stage.
• Strong external reputation through high-impact publications, presentations and scientific community engagement.
• Prior experience in leadership and management roles for advancing protein therapeutics through discovery and early development.

• Proficiency with pharmaceutical industry technical business processes: change control, deviation management, technical protocols/reports, and regulatory license documents would be advantageous.

Closing date: 4th of August

Current Contingent Workers apply

Not Applicable

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the dayBEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the dayBEFOREthe job posting end date.

Job Posting End Date:08/05/2024

A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.