What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemical Biologist position at Photys Therapeutics?
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 Chemical Biologist, Contractor to be responsible to drive novel drug discovery projects from early discovery stage to clinical candidate, delivering a pipeline of new phosphorylation-inducing chimeric small molecules (PHICS) to treat human diseases. They will be responsible for driving chemical biology efforts in a fast-paced small molecule discovery research team, working alongside computational chemistry, biology, chemistry, biochemistry and other disciplines.
Job Responsibilities:
• Serve as chemical biology leader for projects from hit ID to lead nomination.
• Lead and guide research efforts in exploratory chemical biology and mechanism of action studies using the latest techniques (e.g., mass spectrometry, chemo-proteomics, biorthogonal chemistry, proximity labeling).
• Collaborate on chemical biology strategy that is integrated with project plans to produce, prioritize and progress experiments to answer key questions and advance series & project.
• Define experiments & data needed to inform on compound progression and goals for optimization.
• Present research findings and progress updates to senior management and other stakeholders.
• Effective cross-disciplinary communication and collaboration skills in a fast-paced biotech environment to drive projects forward/towards key decisions.
• Effectively manage CRO chemical biology efforts through excellent scientific knowledge with clear and open communication.
• Drive the writing of technical reports to support patent applications and manuscript preparations.
• Organize workstreams and complete individual and team objectives to maintain project timelines.
• Use expertise to direct and influence hit-finding approaches, including high throughput screens, fragment-based screens and affinity-based screens, as well as knowledge-based approaches.
About you…
• Scientifically curious and rigorous with ability to ask important questions, prioritize and devise experiments to inform direction.
• PhD in chemical biology (or related field), with 5 years of post-PhD experience, or MS with 10 years of experience as a chemical biologist/project leader in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
• Extensive knowledge of contemporary chemical biology, biochemistry and biophysical techniques such as mass spectrometry, chemo-proteomics, biorthogonal chemistry, proximity labeling.
• Able to work on-site and attend in-person meetings.
• Experience leading project planning and operational functions with CROs.
• Experience in a small molecule therapeutics biotech/biopharma is highly desirable.
• Experience in industry based molecular glue, heterobifunctional or induced proximity programs is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, interpersonal, scientific thinking and problem-solving skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in cross-functional teams with an emphasis on teamwork, collaboration, and communication within team and across the department.
• Forward thinking mindset with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and focused on problem solving.