Senior Scientist, Transcription Factor Biology

JOB SUMMARY

Many transcription factors have long been appreciated as important cancer drivers and targets for novel therapies, but have historically been considered “undruggable” using conventional drug discovery approaches.  Scorpion Therapeutics is utilizing our fully integrated discovery platform to overcome the challenges of targeting transcription factors. 

We are seeking a highly motivated cancer biologist to join our Target Biology team in South San Francisco.  The successful candidate will have significant experience in small molecule oncology drug discovery and in depth knowledge of transcription factor function including mechanisms of regulation, interaction with transcriptional machinery and dynamics of DNA binding.  They will play a key role in driving early drug discovery efforts by utilizing cutting edge functional genomic techniques and developing and implementing a variety of biochemical and cell based methods to elucidate target function and enable small molecule screening efforts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide expertise in transcription factor and cellular biology to early drug discovery programs and contribute to the design of a robust screening funnel to elucidate compound SAR.
• Design and execute a series of experiments to drive in depth target characterization and elucidate mechanisms of transcription factor regulation using genetic and pharmacological perturbation.
• Lead drug discovery effort to conceive, optimize, and implement robust plate-based biochemical- and cellular- assays to drive SAR from hit identication to candidate selection.
• Collect, process, analyze, and summarize data for presentations, reports, publications, and patents.
• Keep up to date with the latest scientific advances in technologies and trends in oncology research and development, and contribute to group strategy.
• Mentor and direct junior lab members.
• Maintain excellent communication across internal and external team members.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD with a focus on cancer biology, cell or molecular biology, genetics or a closely related area of study
• 5+ years of experience in small molecule drug discovery and a deep knowledge of cancer biology
• Hands-on experience with cell-based, biochemical and biophysical assay techniques typically used to study transcription factor activity and binding interactions (TR-FRET, EMSA, ELISA, HTRF, AlphaLISA, luciferase-reporter, etc).
• Expertise in genetic perturbation (CRISPR and RNAi) and genetic rescue techniques
• A strong record of achievement, including publications in high-impact journals
• Exceptional scientific rigor and commitment to the highest-quality research with outstanding organizational abilities and scientific execution
• A highly engaged, self-starter who is creative, innovative, communicative and possesses both a collaborative and goal/results-orientated style
• Desire to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment, while employing tact, patience, diplomacy and a collaborative spirit
• Outstanding decision making, organizational and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills