Contract, Biology

The Contract, Biology is responsible for performing scientific experiments that contribute to research and drug discovery activities at PTC. This position assists in the conduct of early-stage research, the goal of which is the identification of New Chemical Entities (NCEs), as well as the advancement of research programs from the identification of screening hits to advanced lead optimization. The incumbent is also responsible for communicating experimental results to his/her supervisor and the project team.

The Contract, Biology supports adherence to all regulatory requirements and company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including as appropriate.
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• Under limited supervision, executes experiments as directed by the supervisor and communicates results as part of multi-disciplinary team(s).
• Applies relevant scientific principles and techniques to research problems.
• Maintains detailed laboratory notebooks.
• Maintains broad knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and techniques and may contribute to the identification of new project areas or technologies.
• Presents findings internally and contributes to the publication of the work of the project team in well-established and peer reviewed journals, subject to internal scientific and legal approval.
• May provide technical and scientific input to the project team or research leadership
• Contributes to the development of patent applications as appropriate.
• Complies with all safety requirements.
• Contributes to general lab operations such as:
  • Equipment maintenance.
  • Identification of capital equipment needs
  • Maintenance of clean and uncluttered work areas
  • Maintain inventory and ordering lab supplies as needed.

• Specific duties may also include, but may not be limited to, the following:
• Provides support for high throughput screening including the design of primary assays, the goal of which is the identification of additional hits and new chemical scaffolds.
• Provides support for lead optimization by screening compounds and/or supporting structure activity relationship (SAR) studies involving the characterization of the biological activity of compounds in various assays. Profiles selected compounds in additional cells/assays.
• Provides support for in vivo studies as required.
• Assists in the development of biologically relevant alternatives to preclinical animal models.
• Conducts mechanism of drug activity studies.

• Mammalian tissue culture experience, nucleic acid transfection
• Cell biology and Molecular biology including
• DNA, RNA and protein purification
• Endpoint PCR, qPCR and analysis
• Western blotting

• Minimum level of education and years of relevant work experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, preferably Biology, Biochemistry, or Neuroscience with a minimum of 2 years’ experience, OR, Master’s degree in a scientific discipline with a minimum of 0- 1 year of relevant experience.

• Special knowledge or skills needed and/or licenses or certificates required.

• Demonstrates technical proficiency, scientific creativity, and the ability to collaborate with others on cross functional teams in a fast-paced, matrixed, environment consisting of internal and external team members.
• Possesses knowledge of scientific principles and concepts and keeps current with relevant scientific literature.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office- preferably MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
• Effective verbal and written communication and skills.
• Analytical thinker with problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Effective planning, organization and time management skills including the ability to support and prioritize multiple projects.

• Special knowledge or skills and/or licenses or certificates preferred.

• Immunoassay experience – moderate to high-throughput assays for protein detection using different platforms – western blotting, MSD, ELISA
• Background in neuroscience
• Experience in assay development

• Travel & Physical requirements

• Up to 5%
• Office/Laboratory based position