Scientist, In Vitro Biology

ESSA Pharmaceuticals Corp., a small virtual drug development company with locations in Houston, Texas and South San Francisco, CA, is seeking a Scientist, In Vitro Biology to assist its preclinical efforts to advance its next generation androgen receptor inhibitors to the clinic and support discovery efforts.

You will help establish in vitro biochemical and cellular assays to enable screening and mechanism of action studies with our small molecule inhibitors of the androgen receptor pathway.

You will be assisting the scientific team to establish, validate, and implement scientific methodologies to understand the biology of our therapeutics that are pivotal to the company’s mission.

The ideal candidate would be a PhD, preferably with 1-3 years postdoctoral experience, with expertise in a wide variety of biochemical and cellular assays/assay development for application in cancer small molecule drug development. Position location is flexible and can be in either Houston or South San Francisco.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in small molecule preclinical and clinical assay development
• Design, plan, and oversee cellular, biochemical and sequencing experiments
• Oversee our vendors (CROs) on performance of cellular, biochemical and bioinformatic activitiess for compound development

• Review or assist in reviewing pharmacology components of preclinical and clinical regulatory filing documentation and study reports, and writing study summaries for presentation
• Participate in biomarker discovery and validation to support translational medicine effort

Qualifications

• Knowledge of steroid receptors a definite plus; preference given to candidates with knowledge of/experience with the androgen receptor axis
• Strong knowledge/proficiency in a variety of relevant experimental biology techniques, such as cell culture, protein and RNA quantitation, protein purification, transfection/infection/gene editing technologies, reporter and functional assays, DNA/RNA/ChIP sequencing.  Mammalian cell culture experience is required
• Experience with high-throughput screening assays, automation or RNA/ChIP sequencing is a plus
• Knowledge and understanding of small molecule drug development
• Very strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Technical writing experience such as protocols, reports and SOPs
• Ability to communicate complex scientific findings and recommendations in one-on-one discussions and department meetings
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple projects, priorities and personalities