Associate Scientist - Biology

LOCATION: Cambridge, UK (Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role)
SALARY: Competitive salary and benefits package, relative to qualifications and experience
POSITION SUMMARY
Amphista Therapeutics is a fast-growing Cambridge-based biotech and a leading Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) company. TPD is one of the hottest areas of drug discovery and our unique scientific approach to TPD, gives us a range of advantages over other therapeutic strategies.

We have completed an oversubscribed $53M funding round which was recently extended with investment by the Dementia Discovery fund. During 2022 we were delighted to announce in two separate collaboration deals with Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck Healthcare which will allow us to grow and advance our therapeutic portfolio even faster. This excellent progress has been recognised Amphista named as a Fierce Biotech, Fierce15 winner for 2022.

This is an entry level position and would suit a recent graduate or early career scientist looking to join an exciting learning environment with fantastic opportunity to learn new skills and take part in both platform technology build and drug discovery programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and run cell and biochemical assays in plate-based formats to allow target discovery and support therapeutic programs
• Utilise cutting edge technologies to screen compounds using plate, imaging and other technologies
• Supporting functions with compound handling and management, maintaining stocks, weighing compounds and ensuring good lab management generally
• Keep detailed records of experiments and assay results using electronic notebooks
• Building reporter cell lines and assays to help identify new targets and new methods to identify new TPD molecules
• With training and support develop assays to understand mechanism-of-action studies such as proliferation assays, protein assays (western blot, immunofluorescence assays); mRNA assays (RT-PCR, qPCR, RNASeq)
• Keep abreast of current literature on therapeutic areas and platform technology

*Essential Education, Experience and Skills:
*

• BSc/MSc or 2+ years laboratory experience with a background in Biochemistry, Pharmacology or related field or BSc/MSc
• Ability to follow and develop experimental protocols s including troubleshooting basic issues

• High level of attention to detail
• Passion for science together with a ‘can-do’ problem-solving approach
• Ability and desire to learn new skills quickly and apply new concepts and techniques
• Ability to work across scientific disciplines, in a matrix team
• Good interpersonal/communication skills able to work effectively within a team
• Strong organisational skills including ability to prioritise work
• Ability to follow and create standard protocols and record data accurately
• Excellent organisational and self-motivational skills, with track record of prioritising work and keeping to deadlines

Desirable

• Experience with performing cellular assays using plate reader, flow cytometry or microscopy
• Experience with mammalian cell culture techniques
• Experience with assays development, validation and Q
• Laboratory Experience in biotech or industry environment

*More about Amphista
*

Amphista’s approaches use completely novel mechanisms to build on all the advantages of TPD while directly addressing the emerging limitations of existing TPD strategies to expand the utility of the field. We have shown our approach has the potential to be superior to all other TPD approaches (PROTACs, molecular glues etc) improved druglike properties and reduced tumour resistance potential. We have a range of projects in the discovery phase, initially focused on oncology with potential to expand into other therapy areas including CNS disease & immunology.
Initially founded from the laboratory of Professor Alessio Ciulli (University of Dundee) our team comprises both academic and drug discovery pioneers of the TPD field and a growing R&D team focused on advancing a portfolio of medicines to the clinic using our proprietary next generation TPD technologies. We are continuing to grow and are looking for a key hire to expand our screening and assay teams.

The Amphista team comprises highly experienced drug discovery and TPD experts across both biology and chemistry disciplines, creating the ideal learning environment to advance your scientific career development quickly. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast growing and dynamic company operating at the cutting edge of protein degradation-based drug discovery to develop first-in-class medicines to treat cancer and other areas of high unmet medical need.

Job Type: Full-time