Principal Scientist/AD

About us...

Photys is an exciting early-stage biotechnology company developing novel bifunctional small molecules for fine-tuned control of post-translational modifications beyond ubiquitination. Building off the same principles that underpin PROTACs, we will unlock directed protein post-translational modifications as a disease-agnostic therapeutic strategy to treat oncology, immunological diseases, metabolic diseases as well as genetic disorders.

About the opportunity...

We are seeking a highly motivated AD/Principal Scientist with experience in biochemical assay development and deployment to help us establish our platform by characterizing the binding and functional effect of compounds on kinases of interest.  S/he will work closely with project teams to profile our proprietary bifunctional molecules and determine their effects on target proteins.   This will be a great opportunity to drive the strategy on the platform and the programs as we build and develop a novel therapeutic modality to discover new drugs to treat patients with unmet medical needs.

What you will do...

• Design, develop and implement novel enzymatic and binding assays for multiple kinases and generate SOPs.
• Execute robust and reliable activation assays and with the chemistry team determine SAR.
• Ensure assays are miniaturization- and automation-compatible.
• Evaluate new technologies with a view to expand our core approaches and enhance our capabilities
• Determine selectivity of compounds within target families and across other target families.
• Characterize the effect of site-specific phosphorylation events on targets of interest
• Validate small-molecule screening hits through detailed mechanism of action studies.
• Critically evaluate in-house and CRO data to drive programs to clinical candidate selection
• Present results at platform, project meetings and to the research management team
• Manage, mentor and train junior team members
• Upload data to an internal database and mine it to drive forward programs and platform.

About you...

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry or Chemistry with 5+ years industry experience.
• Or B.S. or M.S. 10+ years industry experience required.
• Deep understanding of enzymology and biochemistry concepts and literature.
• Prior experience with protein-protein interactions and fluorescence-based assay technologies.
• Experience developing and running biochemical HTS assays.
• Experience with miniaturization and automation highly desirable
• Experience with biophysical techniques including DSF, SPR, ITC or MST
• Experience of MS and protein production/purification would be advantageous
• Independence, initiative, focus, willingness to take on responsibility and continually pursue self-improvement.
• Ability to work in a team, communicate, and give/receive constructive feedback.
• Exceptional time management skills and ability to work well under pressure and drive projects that affect critical timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail, outstanding organizational and documentation skills