Nicholas Howard have an exciting 12month contract opportunity for a Senior Research Scientist to join our client, a leading Global Biopharma, working on cutting edge research to drive small molecule drug discovery using mass spectrometry.
This will be a fully lab based role, working from early stage through to preclinical projects, and will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering mass spectrometry (MS)-based assays to support the optimization of small molecule ligands as part of the drug discovery process.
Key Responsibilities:
* Design, develop, and validate robust small molecule MS-based assays to support drug discovery and development programs.
* Optimize assay conditions to ensure high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility for small molecule detection and quantification
* Collaborate with structural biology and biophysics teams to integrate MS data with structural and biophysical insights
* Work closely with medicinal chemists, biologists, and other scientists to align assay development with project goals.
* Communicate results effectively through presentations, reports, and publications
* Ensure compliance with laboratory SOPs, and detailed record keeping in electronic notebook
* Maintain, operate and troubleshoot LCMS instrumentation for routine and novel assays
Essential:
* Relevant Ph.D. or equivalent experience with proven track record of small molecule mass spec delivery
* Experience running and analysing quantitative small molecule mass spec assays
* Practical experience working with triplequad MS platforms
* Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex instrumentation
* Track record for scientific problem solving
* Sound understanding of data analysis principles and familiarity with data analysis software packages with particular focus on small molecule MS analysis
* Self-driven ability to organize resources and data, manage time and priorities.
* Desire to work in a fast, collaborative, and team-oriented environment.
* The ability to communicate clear and concise updates across a variety of audience levels, keep track of experimental records and results.
* Experience with data organisation and downstream reporting of MS data to other disciplines e.g. medicinal chemistry
* Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Desirable:
* Experience of small molecule Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry (AS-MS)
* Experience in biochemical, biophysical, bioanalytical, and/or cellular MS screening technologies
* Familiarity with other protein MS techniques such as Intact Mass, Native, HDX.
* Experience of working within the drug discovery industry