Scientist II, HTS Assay Development (BS & MS Level)

Pharmacyclics is committed to the development and commercialization of novel therapies intended to improve the quality and duration of life and to resolve serious unmet medical needs for cancer patients. Pharmacyclics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV), a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company. Oncology is a key therapeutic area for AbbVie, with a portfolio consisting of three marketed products and a pipeline containing multiple promising new molecules that are being studied in more than 200 clinical trials for over 20 different types of cancer.

More than 1,200 Pharmacyclics and AbbVie research scientists, clinicians, marketing, operations and corporate professionals work in the San Francisco Bay Area. They combine their expertise in immuno-oncology, stem cells, and cell-signaling with their knowledge of bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and covalent-inhibitor technologies to discover and develop novel cancer treatments. Together, we are striving to outsmart cancer.

To learn more about us, please visit us at http://www.pharmacyclics.com/

General Position Summary/Purpose:

The Scientist II will be a key member of the Research Biology team responsible for providing strong technical expertise and implementation to support drug discovery with special emphasis on HTS, assay development and automation. The Scientist II will be responsible for the development and hands on execution of various biochemical and cellular assays suitable for compound screening in HTS/automation mode to support small-molecule drug discovery projects. The successful candidate will be expected to conceive and execute novel scientific approaches to achieve departmental project goals and clearly communicate the scientific rationale, methodology and results in written and oral formats.

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate scientific knowledge and independence to establish and implement strategies for exploring the mechanisms of action of novel molecules to support translation into future therapies for new indications in hematological malignancies.
• Hands-on execution : Advance science from the bench, design and execute various biochemical and cellular assays in HTS format to determine potency and selectivity of small molecules to understand their SAR and mechanism of action.
• Work with supervisors to improve assay protocols and take the leading role in the development, optimization, and validation of new assays. Utilize technical expertise and available information to troubleshoot and resolve key assay hurdles when encountered.
• Apply basic cell and molecular biology techniques to identify and evaluate cellular efficacy and selectivity endpoints. Accurately document, critically analyze/interpret data and communicate the results promptly.
• Actively participate in scientific meetings by presenting and critically evaluating emerging scientific literature to facilitate further progress and success of key project assignments.
• Perform tasks with diligent attention to detail and high level of accuracy. Prioritize tasks and contribute to a highly motivated and productive research team with a sense of urgency and desire to meet project timelines.

​Qualifications:

• BS with 7 or more years of relevant laboratory experience or MS with 5 or more years of relevant laboratory experience either in academic or industrial settings.
• Familiarity with techniques and instrumentation relevant to automated plate-based assays and the use of multiple techniques to execute the desired assays in an HTS format
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute and interpret experiments via publications, external presentations or patents
• Strong interpersonal skills to thrive in a team environment. Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Experience:

• Extensive experience in develop assays using purified-components and cell-based systems configured to identify small-molecule inhibitors or activators and their automation to enable high-throughput via Liquid handlers is a must.
• Experience in designing and executing biochemical microplate-based assays to identify and characterize small-molecule modulators using a variety of techniques and detection methods, including FP, FRET, TR-FRET, BRET, SPR, MST, CETSA, MSD, Lab-Chip MSA, mass spectrometric, chromogenic, and radiometric formats
• Participation in project teams including Chemistry, Bioassays and HTS colleagues deploying biochemical and cellular assays for high-throughput screening as well as to generate dose response curves to drive SAR development
• Basic knowledge of protein chemistry including protein expression, purification and characterization by various biotechniques such as Protein Simple WES system is highly desirable.
• Experience in establishing and fully validating compound potency assays using cell lines or primary human cells is essential. Experience in using cell biology models to elucidate molecular mechanisms of action.
• Good knowledge of programing, designing and executing various biochemical and cellular assays using Automated Liquid Handlers is highly desirable.
• Basic knowledge on biological data analysis tools (GraphPad Prism and Microsoft Office tools)
• Contribute to lab and equipment maintenance and help create a safe, effective and efficient working environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled