Astex Pharmaceuticals is a world leader in innovative drug discovery and development. The company has successfully applied its proprietary Fragment-Based Drug Discovery platform to generate multiple new drug candidates that are progressing in clinical development. Successful collaborations have led to three launched oncology drugs (Kisqali&circledR; partnered with Novartis, Balversa&circledR; partnered with Janssen and Truqap&TRADE; partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.

The Role

Exciting Permanent and 3-Year Fixed-Term Contracts opportunities are now available for assay biologists and enzymologists in the Drug Discovery Bioscience group at Astex, contributing to the drug discovery process from target evaluation to candidate selection. Working in multi-disciplinary teams with structural biologists, biophysicists, chemists and cell biologists, the successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of enzyme and protein mechanisms to optimise fragment hits to lead compounds.

These are laboratory-based roles and will involve developing and running primary assays to support the testing of compounds against relevant drug targets. Previous experience and knowledge of biochemical assays and screening formats are essential.

Principal Responsibilities:

Design, develop and/or execute de novo assays for a range of protein systems, including novel enzymes and protein:protein interactions to enable the drug discovery process
Utilise expertise in enzyme kinetics to provide an understanding of complex mechanisms
Provide enzyme/inhibitor mechanistic data and insight, and work alongside the chemistry and biophysics teams to interpret SAR
Explore and implement novel and innovative assay technologies
Where relevant, provide training and guidance to less experienced team members

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Candidates should be familiar with a variety of techniques required for establishing robust biochemical, cell-free assays, preferably gained in an industrial or academic setting
A PhD or a BSc with equivalent experience in a biological science
Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Skilled in enzyme kinetics, assay development and troubleshooting, with strong analytical skills. Some knowledge of chemistry and/or biophysics is desirable.
Experience in working with multiple different target classes such as kinases, membrane proteins and protein-protein interactions
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary, matrix teams
Knowledge in neuroscience or oncology

Why Astex

We offer excellent training and career development opportunities as well as highly competitive salary and benefits package including hybrid working options to promote a flexible and inclusive work environment.

At Astex we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse Company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation and behaviours.

Astex is situated 2.5 miles from Cambridge City centre on the Cambridge Science Park. The Park has onsite sports facilities and excellent transport links to London.

More Information

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Astex Pharmaceuticals

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AB/0325 - Assay Biologists