What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Scientist, Cell-Free Protein Synthesis & Synthetic Biology (Somerville, MA) position at CEDENT?
Client is seeking a highly creative and technologically curious Principal Scientist to be part of the CFPS (cell-free protein synthesis) group in our Innovation and Data Generation at Scale (IDGS) department. We believe innovations at the intersection of machine learning, computational protein design, and HTP experimentation will transform the way we bring new therapies to patients. They will contribute to efforts to expand our intrinsically scalable CFPS technology platform using synthetic biology, ML-guided optimization, and strain engineering to expand our intrinsically scalable CFPS technology platform, with the aim of increasing throughput, and dramatically shortening design-build-test cycles of novel biologics in the pre-IND pipeline. They will work to (1) further integrate CFPS technology into our HTP screening workflows at the intersection of synthetic biology, microfluidics, automation, and machine learning, 2) optimize and expand our CFPS workflows across modalities, and 3) work closely with our production scientists to design and implement productionized workflows.
The successful candidate has a proven track record of cross-disciplinary quantitative research, combining deep understanding of synthetic biology and high-throughput experimentation. Close collaboration with members from Client’s Protein Sciences, Therapeutic Area Research, Computational, and Machine Learning teams will be crucial to produce game-changing novel CFPS workflows. This is an opportunity to perform highly innovative technology development, while being part of a collaborative and premier scientific environment in a well-funded biotech startup.
Here's how you will contribute:
The successful candidate has a proven track record of cross-disciplinary quantitative research, combining deep understanding of synthetic biology and high-throughput experimentation. Close collaboration with members from Client’s Protein Sciences, Therapeutic Area Research, Computational, and Machine Learning teams will be crucial to produce game-changing novel CFPS workflows. This is an opportunity to perform highly innovative technology development, while being part of a collaborative and premier scientific environment in a well-funded biotech startup.
Here's how you will contribute:
- Expand Client’s efforts to integrate CFPS into our HTP screening and production workflows.
- Lead part of the team efforts to optimize CFPS workflows using both experimental tools (strain engineering, protein biochemistry, synthetic biology) and theory (computational analysis, statistics, and ML-guided optimization).
- Work together with members of the IDGS team to implement CFPS-based screening workflows involving micro-automation, microfluidics, and microfabricated devices.
- Work with production and analytics teams in the Protein Sciences department to optimize scaled-up workflows and implement characterization of CFPS-produced material.
- Client bold, creative, unconventional ideas, and be a point person for intellectual property and patent writing.
- Strategic experiment planning, data interpretation, summarization, and presentation with minimal supervision are required.
- Involvement in accelerating the discovery, engineering and characterization of novel biologics in pipeline programs.
- Mentor and train scientists throughout the company.
- PhD or equivalent and a minimum of 8 years of experience in a relevant life sciences field (biophysics, biochemistry, biological engineering, quantitative/synthetic biology, or related discipline); or Master’s degree in a scientific field of study and 14 years of related experience; or Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field of study and 16 years of related experience
- Demonstrated expertise in protein biochemistry including protein expression, purification, and assessment of protein biophysical properties.
- Cross-functional experience in the protein therapeutics industry and engineering of therapeutic proteins are highly desired.
- Strong track record of critical thinking and scientific achievement as demonstrated by publications in scientific journals.
- Highly motivated, proactive and enthusiastic team player demonstrating flexibility and a sense of urgency.
- Ability to multitask while paying attention to priorities and utilize resources efficiently.
- Strong interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication to work effectively within a collaborative work environment.
- Experience with automated workflows and liquid handling robots is a plus.
- Experience with in vitro display technologies is a plus
- Deep subject matter expertise and experience with implementation and optimization of cell-free protein synthesis
- Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of CFPS-relevant literature
- Experience including advancing protein therapeutics through discovery and early development
- Demonstrated experience in high-throughput experimental design and laboratory automation
- A rigorous individual with a curious mind and a love of learning who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with a driven and collaborative team
