Overview
Join to apply for the Sustaining Innovation Post-Doctoral Research Associate role at Astex Pharmaceuticals
Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali partnered with Novartis, Balversa partnered with Janssen and Truqap partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.
The role:
We are excited to offer three Sustaining Innovation postdoctoral research positions to help drive the next evolution of this platform. The successful candidates will work together as a team to develop novel technologies for fragment screening, potentially leveraging covalent approaches through a range of crosslinking chemistries and applying to both recombinant proteins and cellular systems. A defining aspect of the project will be high resolution structural characterization of cross-linked protein – fragment complexes using our state-of-the-art resources in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. The project will explore the potential for such fragments to identify novel sites on challenging protein targets (e.g. cryptic pockets) and explore their biological relevance.
The project requires expertise and collaboration across a range of scientific disciplines; hence applications are invited from candidates specialising in the fields of chemical biology and protein structure determination. We are looking for creative and highly motivated scientists with expertise in a selection of the following subject areas: synthetic organic chemistry, protein mass spectrometry, covalent fragment screening, cell-based chemoproteomics, biophysical methods, protein expression and purification, X-ray crystallography, single particle cryo-electron microscopy.
Astex would be happy to hear from candidates having innovative project proposals that fall within the overall remit described above, and candidates are welcome to outline their ideas or motivation in a maximum one-page summary as part of their application.
Qualifications and Experience:
* Ph.D. in an appropriate subject area as defined above. One or more years of postdoctoral experience is highly desirable.
* Innovation and Problem-Solving: Proven track record of innovation, scientific rigour and complex problem-solving is essential, as evidenced by publication of research articles in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
* Communication Skills: The candidate is expected to have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a proven track record of science communication at national and international conferences.
* Independent Research: Capability to independently plan and execute research objectives is essential.
* Team Collaboration: Strong team-work skills and a desire to work collaboratively within a dynamic multidisciplinary environment.
* Cross-disciplinary Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with scientists from various disciplines and work proficiently across dynamic academic and industrial research environments.
About the Sustaining Innovation Post Doctoral (SIPD) Program:
The Program aims to maintain and further enhance the Company’s excellent scientific culture. This is an opportunity to join a diverse and dynamic team exploring new ideas that are relevant to and may enhance our drug discovery approach. We employ high calibre PhD scientists who perform cutting-edge research in an innovative and dynamic research environment. Postdoctoral Research Associates are expected to perform exploratory research as part of a multi-disciplinary team and publish in high impact scientific journals. We have a strong track record of SIPD collaborations with internationally leading academic and industrial research institutions.
For more information on the Program, please visit https://astx.com/research-development/sustaining-innovation/ .
Why Astex
We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment.
At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation and behaviours.
Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.
More Information
For information on Astex Pharmaceuticals please visit:www.astx.com
For information on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals please visit:www.otsuka.co.jp
Employment details
* Seniority level: Internship
* Employment type: Full-time
* Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
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