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Job Description

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

Our Company has a rapidly growing interdisciplinary team of scientists in London and exciting plans to establish ‘Skylab’, a new laboratory space at the Francis Crick Institute. This will complement the construction of a new state-of the-art Research and Discovery Centre in London’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ opposite King’s Cross Railway station. Our new site will employ circa 800 people across our research and commercial divisions.

To deliver on our mission of turning breakthrough science into meaningful and impactful medicines, we plan to establish a new Translational Biomarker Group within Global Neuroscience Discovery. This team of laboratory and data scientists will drive scientific innovation in biomarker research to translate drug discovery programmes into the clinic for neurodegenerative disease, pain, and psychiatric disorders. Working collaboratively with discovery and clinical scientists, our biomarker experts will apply cutting edge lab technologies and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning tools to discover biomarkers that help determine the optimal dose and biological effects of our drugs and identify patients who are most likely to respond to treatment. This will allow our company to make progress in the battle against some of the most challenging diseases of the nervous system.

We are seeking a highly motivated Associate Principal Scientist (Associate Director level) Translational Biomarkers Mass Spectrometry Neuroscience to be based at the Francis Crick Institute, Kings Cross, London.

Role overview:

In this newly established role, you will report to the Head of Translational Biomarkers, Neuroscience Discovery and will join a team of Global experts leading Biomarker research projects to translate drug discovery programmes into the clinic. You will be responsible for developing and applying mass spectrometry-based strategies for use in preclinical drug development, with a focus on novel target and translational biomarker discovery for neurodegenerative diseases.

You will work within multidisciplinary drug discovery teams and will apply your expertise in Mass Spectrometry-based methods to explore the mechanisms driving neurodegenerative diseases, identify biomarkers for clinical translation and ultimately advance new therapeutics. You should have deep expertise in unbiased “omics” such as metabolomics, lipidomics or proteomics from study design to data acquisition and bioinformatic analyses along with a proven track record in advancing targeted SRM/PRM quantitative biomarker assays through follow-on validation of discovery data. If you are driven and open to learning in a team environment, come join our team.

What you will do:

• Participate in drug discovery teams and take the lead on the development of mass spectrometry strategies for novel drug target or biomarker identification.
• Process a variety of cell, tissue and fluid samples from preclinical models and patients, and perform analyses using high resolution LC-MS instrumentation.
• Process data and apply bioinformatic and statistical workflows for biomarker discovery. Share your data and conclusions with project teams and actively participate in discussions to influence project strategy.
• Lead collaborations with internal research teams, CROs, academic collaborators and consortia.
• Give presentations at internal meetings and externally at conferences. Contribute to internal scientific reports as required and publish science in high quality journals.
• Contribute to laboratory operations

What you will need to be successful in this role:

• PhD or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, with significant experience of leading mass spectrometry strategies for identification of novel targets or biomarkers within drug discovery programmes in a biotech, pharmaceutical or academic setting.

Required Experience:

• Previous experience of assisting in the design of projects aiming to discover novel drug targets or biomarkers to support drug discovery programmes.
• Experience in the development and application of mass spectrometry-based approaches using preclinical models and patient specimens for biomarker discovery or to support novel target identification.
• Hands-on experience performing unbiased, quantitative discovery analyses with high resolution LC-MS instrumentation (i.e. DDA, DIA approaches using label-free or TMT quantification).
• Validation of discovery data using targeted MRM/PRM LC-MS/MS quantitative assays.
• Proficiency in data processing and bioinformatic and statistical workflows (i.e. proficiency with MetaboAnalyst, Skyline, MaxQuant, Proteome Discoverer, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis or similar).
• Experience in sample processing and prefractionation across a variety of cell, tissue and fluid samples.
• Experience of working collaboratively with disease area biology experts.
• Proven track record as a team leader or mentor.

Desired Experience:

• Background in neuroscience therapy areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders or pain disorders.
• Experience of working with external academic, biotechnology, and contract research organizations.
• Ability to identify novel developments within their area of technical expertise, provide recommendations for investment to stakeholders, and implement new state-of-the art laboratory equipment and methods.

Skills/Competencies:

• Self-motivated and resourceful with a demonstrated ability to generate robust and reproducible data in a timely manner.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills and keen ability to engage internal and external team members in collaborative research.

• Collaborates with colleagues across our company and within project teams to set experimental strategy for novel drug target or biomarker identification by MS analysis of preclinical models and patient samples.
• Develops assays for identification and measurement of pharmacodynamic biomarkers from preclinical models with a line of sight towards clinical translation.
• Impacts programs through critical thinking and timely data-driven decision making.
• In collaboration with colleagues from translational medicine, discovery biology and data sciences, develops and executes on MS strategies for identification and validation of patient stratification biomarkers to guide precision medicine approaches.
• Collaborates with MS experts across our company to assesses and implement new bioanalytical technology.
• Acts as a technical expert, trains and supporting colleagues within area of expertise.
• Takes responsibility for and co-ordinates assay transfer to internal groups and external contract research organizations.
• Participates in external research collaborations with academic groups and disease consortia.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for innovation and problem-solving.

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At our company, we’re inventing for life.

We are a research-driven biopharmaceutical company. Our mission is built on the simple premise that if we “follow the science” that great medicines can make a significant impact to our world. We believe that a research-driven enterprise dedicated to world-class science can succeed by inventing medicine and vaccine innovations that make a difference for patients across the globe. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to identify a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state-of-the-art facilities and robust scientific methodology we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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Requisition ID:R231711