Principal Researcher, Biology

Eisai has been dedicated for decades to the pursuit of novel therapeutics to improve the lives of people suffering from dementia and their families.  Recognizing the potential for human genetics, data sciences and precision chemistry to disrupt the drug discovery paradigm, Eisai launched the Eisai Center for Genetics Guided Dementia Discovery (G2D2) in 2019 to accelerate the discovery of innovative therapeutics. G2D2 is a unique drug discovery organization driven by a diverse group of passionate, dedicated and collaborative scientists committed to one goal: delivering breakthroughs for patients and their families. All Eisai employees, as part of the company’s human health care (hhc) mission, spend at least 1% of their working time with patients and families to ensure that the innovation we drive is based on an understanding of their real needs.

The predominant research focus at G2D2, driven by insights from human genetics, is immunodementia: targeting immune-related targets for dementia.  At G2D2, we focus not only on how human genetics and other human biology data may identify and validate therapeutic targets with increased likelihood of success in clinical trials, but also how this data guides selection of the best approaches to design new therapeutics and the selection of strategies to deliver these therapeutics to the right patient at the right time. Recognizing the obvious alignment between human genetics and nucleic acid modalities, our precision chemistry strategy is to directly validate human biology hypotheses by utilizing our unique RNA targeting therapeutic platform. G2D2’s expertise in harnessing molecular complexity (stereochemistry and topology) to successfully discover and develop natural product based therapeutics has been applied to create an evolving unique nucleic acid immunotherapeutic platform that is being employed globally in multiple clinical and pre-clinical programs at Eisai.

G2D2’s cutting-edge 50,000-square-foot facility is strategically located in Cambridge, MA, to accelerate collaborations with leading research institutes in this world-class biotech hub. Our facility has been designed around an open-lab concept, enabling scientists with multi-disciplinary backgrounds to work together in a single integrated lab space. Our labs include state-of-the-art capabilities that support the variety of disciplines located at the site, including medicinal and process chemistry, in-vitro and in-vivo biology, microscopy, DMPK, drug safety, chemical and structural biology, automation and screening, and more. G2D2 is home to Eisai’s global capabilities in neurology discovery data science.  G2D2 is also home to other global Eisai functions, including global health, DMPK, Safety, IP, oncology, thus providing a rich environment for cross-functional interaction. Our office is designed to foster an atmosphere of mission-driven and collaborative science, using new collaboration tools and technologies, and is being optimized to support a hybrid work environment.

At Eisai, we highly value both internal and external collaboration and pursue flexible research models with a range of external scientific partners to accelerate delivery of innovative medicines. To this end, the G2D2 facility includes the Eisai Innovation Center Biolabs, which provides space and infrastructure to start-up/spin-out companies conducting high-risk but potentially transformative research that can impact the discovery of breakthrough neuroscience therapeutics.

We are seeking a principal researcher, biology to join the Immunodementia Biology group at G2D2. The successful candidate will join a team working to assess effects of glial cell modulation on neuronal biology and function. Activities will center the use of cell and molecular biology techniques, flow cytometry and IF and imaging techniques to investigate the effects of tool or lead compounds on pathway biology in cell based and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Responsibilities:

• Expertise in protein detection techniques including western blot and ELISA
• Perform plate/tube-based multi-color flow cytometry and data analysis using FCS express or similar software
• Mammalian cell culture and cell-based assays
• Perform in vivo studies including dosing (IP), tissue collection and tissue processing for downstream applications
• Tissue staining (IF and IHC), microscopy (confocal, slide scanner) and software based image analysis
• Generate accurate and detailed study reports and maintain other necessary records including a lab notebook
• Ability to work effectively within a broad cross-functional team and communicate research findings

Requirements:

• MS and 1 year or BS and 3 years laboratory experience in neuroscience, biology or related field
• A strong background in cell biology techniques including western, ELISA, and flow cytometry is required
• Experience with mammalian cell culture is required
• Experience with tissue processing (fixation, embedding,  sectioning), and staining techniques (immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry), imaging and image analysis is preferred
• Experience with mouse dosing (IP) and tissue collection and tissue processing is required
• A background in neurodegenerative disease and/or glial biology is a plus
• Ability to be productive and thrive in a fast-paced work environment
• Broad skill set that enables communication across multiple disciplines (biology, chemistry)
• Attention to detail and exceptional time management skills
• Industry experience is strongly preferred