Staff Scientist

29-Feb-2024

YSM Cores- Yale Center for Molecular Discovery

86855BR

University Job Title

Biotechnology Associate 2

Bargaining Unit

None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Biotechnology Associate 2 (24)

Wage Ranges

Click here to see our Wage Ranges

Searchable Job Family

Research Res Support, Research/Support

Total # of hours to be worked:

37.5

Work Week

Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)

Worksite Address

600 B27 Research West Campus Drive
West Haven, CT 06516

Position Focus:

Yale Center for Molecular Discovery (YCMD) is small molecule and functional genomics high throughput screening core facility. YCMD serves an entire Yale research community to support identification of novel targets and help advance deep biological insights to discover and develop small molecule probes and ligands, often towards translational endpoints. The center maintains and makes available for screening a large set of bioactive and synthetic diversity libraries (~300,000 small molecules), and genome-wide siRNA and sgRNA/CRISPR collections. YCMD’s resources include sophisticated infrastructure for high throughput assay design and screening, variety of instrumentation to support liquid handling and reformatting needs, and chemistry infrastructure and software to enable probe and lead discovery.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated scientist to join our group to support Yale University researchers in their ligand discovery efforts. Broad synthetic organic, medicinal chemistry and lead discovery knowledge and experience are highly desired as projects and applications are diverse. Successful candidate will be expected to: Provide strong intellectual and technical support in the fields of medicinal chemistry and ligand discovery, leading diverse discovery programs ranging from target identification and validation to compound optimization towards development candidates. Collaborate with biology colleagues to develop discovery project flowcharts and establish the best strategies and libraries for project screens. Evaluate chemical databases and patent literature to help identify prior art or tool compounds which can be utilized to validate assays and biological hypotheses. Support both traditional screening and virtual/computational screening and drug design and optimization. Assess compound quality of high throughput screening hits, perform structure-based clustering to identify core templates, and develop hit repurchasing/resynthesis and hit expansion strategies. Develop and execute biochemical assays to characterize drug activity, including fluorescent polarization, HTRF, mass photometry and other technologies. Support biophysical analysis of ligand-protein interaction, such as SPR, and help develop and execute biochemical assays to characterize drug binding. Support development of initial structure activity relationship (SAR) strategies to optimize compounds towards project milestones. Identify, set up and manage close relationships with synthetic chemistry, in silico screening, and ADME contract research organizations (CROs). Develop, cultivate, and maintain relationships with customers within and outside of Yale community. Support grant proposals and manuscripts submissions by Yale faculty.

Essential Duties

1. Manages the daily activities of a research resource laboratory. Oversees the scheduling, use, and availability of instrumentation, supplies, and specialized work areas. 2. Carries out biotechnology research design, develop, and modify procedures and instrument operating programs. 3. Develops, interprets, and analyzes the results of biotechnological analyses and/or syntheses. 4. Investigates, analyzes, and evaluates alternative instrumentation, methodologies and techniques to maintain a state-of-the-art biotechnology resource laboratory. 5. Recommends and develops new protocols and initiates and adapts new techniques to resolve problems. 6. Conducts research to determine the feasibility and scope of providing new/revised services. Develops and evaluates new techniques and equipment. 7. Prepares budgets and reports pertaining to laboratory costs and income. 8. Determines and establishes policies and procedures on laboratory safety consistent with University safety regulations. 9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Master’s Degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or other related discipline and three years of experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

High level of synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry accomplishments, and proven ability to coordinate chemistry strategies for multiple chemistry projects. Computational chemistry tools and protein/ligand docking demonstrated ability.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Proven ability to find and characterize novel chemical lead matter, including ligand-protein interaction and drug binding analyses. Proven ability to characterize, triage and prioritize compounds for hit validation and hit to lead development.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Proven ability to work collaboratively across multiple disciplines and departments. Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task and juggle multiple active projects. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

High level of independence and initiative in moving projects forward and meeting project objectives.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

PhD and 3 years’ experience in biopharma or translational academic settings. Familiarity with chemical information databases. Ability to evaluate patent literature and support IP filings. Familiarity with PK/PD concepts and ADME principles for drug design. Ligand and drug discovery and hit-to-lead experience in biopharma or academia.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here:
https://covid19.yale.edu/health-guidelines

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement:

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus