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® partnered with Novartis, Balversa® partnered with Janssen and Truqap™ partnered with AstraZeneca). Astex continues to grow and focuses on Neurological Disorders and Oncology.
The Role Exciting opportunities are now available for cell biologists 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, bioinformaticians and assay biologists, the successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply their understanding of cell and disease biology to drug discovery process at Astex in Neurodegeneration and/or Oncology. With extensive experience of cell biology techniques in a variety of cell systems, successful candidates will drive key in-house experimental work.
Principal Responsibilities: - Apply a wide range of cell biology techniques to make laboratory-based contributions to drug discovery programs
- Design and execute in vitro and/or ex vivo cellular experiments to understand complex disease mechanisms and pharmacology
- Compound evaluation in different cell systems
- Influence bioscience activities within multi-disciplinary project teams
Essential Qualifications and Experience: - A PhD or a BSc with equivalent experience in a biological science
- Strong experience in mammalian tissue culture
- Knowledge of a variety of cell biology techniques (e.g., proliferation assays, immunoblotting, ELISA/MSD, transfection/transduction, flow cytometry, high content imaging) preferably gained in an industrial or academic setting
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to think independently and creatively
Desirable Qualifications and Experience: - Background in neuroscience or oncology
- Skilled in working with iPSCs and/or primary cells
- Experience in working with external collaborators and CROs
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary, matrix teams
- Basic knowledge of bioinformatics and experience in working alongside bioinformaticians
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 For information on Astex Pharmaceuticals please visit:
For information on Otsuka Pharmaceuticals please visit:
