Role Summary
Scientist - Bioassay Screening - Biotherapeutic Drug Discovery. The role focuses on supporting research teams across multiple therapeutic areas by miniaturizing, adapting and executing assays to screen biologics using state-of-the-art lab automation, with emphasis on fast-paced, collaborative environments and cross-team collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Interface with multiple project teams to adapt bioassays to mid-high throughput automated formats (96W/384W), validate and execute screens, and identify hits for biologics discovery; develop de novo cell-based assays as needed.
- Leverage AI/ML-driven experimental design and adaptive screening strategies to compress assay development timelines and generate insights for biologics discovery strategies.
- Apply specialized software tools to analyze biological activity, evaluate assay performance statistically, and generate data reports.
- Identify and evaluate procedures or technologies to bolster productivity of antibody discovery and protein engineering teams; integrate emerging computational tools and automation technologies into workflows, including AI-driven optimization platforms and automated design-of-experiment software.
- Present results to collaborators, participate in project team meetings, and present at internal forums.
- Maintain clear, organized data, SOPs, and electronic notebook entries with attention to detail.
Qualifications
- Required: B.S. or M.S. in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field with 3+ years of relevant research experience in assay development and execution, preferably in drug discovery.
Additional Qualifications
- Proficient in assay development, optimization, miniaturization and troubleshooting of plate-based bioassays in 96/384W formats; ability to reduce optimization timelines through data-driven approaches.
- Expertise in diverse assay methods and technologies (e.g., reporter, FRET/BRET, AlphaLISA, HTRF, internalization, co-culture bioassays).
- Strong cell culture techniques with understanding of cellular signaling pathways.
- Experience with design-of-experiment, visualization, and statistical analysis software (e.g., Genedata Screener, TIBCO Spotfire, GraphPad Prism, JMP).
- Ability to adapt to new responsibilities and tackle challenges.
- Experience operating automated instrumentation in a high-throughput screening environment; enthusiasm for integrating AI/ML tools into workflows.
- Curiosity and initiative in adopting emerging technologies to improve efficiency or capabilities.
- Detail-oriented, organized, able to prioritize multiple projects to meet timelines.
- Excellent written and oral communication; able to work in a highly collaborative team.
- Highly motivated, capable of independent work, capable of mastering new skills and technologies; preferred.
- Experience with advanced imaging, flow cytometry or microfluidics-based assays is a plus.
Education
- Educational requirements listed in Basic Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related field.