What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Scientist I/II, Rare/Neuromuscular Disease position at Scholar Rock?
Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.
Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.
Summary of Position:
We are seeking an outstanding candidate to join our Discovery Biology Team. The successful candidate will have broad responsibilities to further existing discovery programs and will lead the establishment of new programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the biology of skeletal muscle and/or motor neurons and will have a desire to independently lead projects related to the discovery of new drug candidates for relevant disorders. On a day-to-day level, this position will entail a hybrid of bench work with other activities including CRO management, and new project ideation and presentation. The candidate will collaborate closely with internal research teams covering protein sciences, antibody discovery, and translational sciences to identify and validate therapeutic targets.
\n- Lead work on developing new discovery project(s) in the rare disease space, focusing on disorders of skeletal muscle and/or motor neuron diseases.
- Collaborate in cross-functional discovery teams to move antibody candidates through the discovery process towards development candidate nomination and support current teams in these areas.
- Manage translational rodent pharmacology studies conducted at CROs in indication areas of high relevance to Scholar Rock strategy.
- Establish and execute functional assays supporting new and existing projects.
- Strengthen our internal capabilities and build external collaborations in biology and pharmacology related to our programs, particularly in the areas of neuromuscular disease.
- Ensure each activity is effectively prioritized with appropriate use of internal resources, CROs, and academic / industrial collaborations to deliver optimal results.
- Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols and data in laboratory notebooks in accordance with company policy.
- Analyze, interpret, and present experimental results at internal and external meetings.
- Ph.D. in Biology or related discipline is preferred, with a minimum of ~2 years industry experience.
- Research experience in the basic biology or disease processes of skeletal muscle or motor neurons is required.
- Ideal candidate will show a propensity to independently engage with the scientific literature, formulate new ideas and hypotheses, and design appropriately controlled experiments.
- Familiarity with rodent pharmacology is preferred, experience managing CRO relationships is a plus.
- Strong experience with molecular biology techniques such as qPCR, Western Blotting, ELISA and tissue culture methods is required.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot problems and propose creative solutions.
- Ability to effectively communicate and document research.
- Self-motivated and comfortable operating independently and within teams in a fast-paced team-oriented environment.
Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
