Research Associate / Senior Research Associate - Target Discovery and Validation

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Research Associate / Senior Research Associate - Target Discovery and Validation

Chesterford research Park - Cambridge

Permanent

Competitive salary plus extensive benefits package and on site parking.

Never losing sight of our purpose

At Mestag we truly believe in our values and live by them every day. We're ambitious about our science and its potential to deliver meaningful therapeutics to the patients that need them most. We believe in a culture of diversity, equality and investing in people to ensure our talented and passionate team members can fulfil their full potential.

We are based in spacious and modern laboratory and office facilities at Chesterford Research Park near Cambridge, UK - right in the very heart of the UK life science sector. Our facilities are kitted out with state-of-the-art instruments to enable our dedicated researchers to deliver incredible science.

Mestag is backed by committed leading global investors, has world-class founders and a highly experienced leadership team.

We are now transitioning our lead programme into clinic - There has never been a better time to join #TeamMestag

The Position

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proactive and energetic Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to join an innovative biotech company and work closely with experienced researchers both internally and externally at an early stage in the company's history.

We are looking for a highly collaborative cell biologist with a passion for science who would like to join a committed, fun-loving team and share our vision to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Research Associate/ Senior Research Associate will work closely with two project teams within Target Discovery to maintain CRISPR knockout cell lines and perform cellular assays to facilitate the identification of novel targets. You will be responsible for managing cell stocks to maintain screening programs with the opportunity to develop skills in imaging, flow cytometry and ligand (MSD, ELISA) based assays to develop your career.

The ideal candidate would benefit from extensive training and exposure to cutting edge technologies such as bioprinting, nanoshuttle, CRISPR knockout and artificial intelligence based high content imaging, while working alongside seasoned scientists to develop your skills and experience.

The position would suite a recent graduate with some experience in mammalian cell culture or a seasoned laboratory technician with more extensive experience in mammalian cell culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Mammalian cell culture of primary and transformed cells
• Management of cell stocks and bulking of engineered cells to support screening programs. Provision of cells to maintain assay throughput.
• Cell quality control including assessment of mycoplasma, viability, proliferation rates and senescence.
• As a member of the laboratory team, work together to ensure efficient running of the lab; ordering, waste management, calibration records, glassware stocking etc
• Contribute to Health and Safety compliance (risk assessments, SOPs, COSHH, HTA)
• Enter data into an electronic data capture system and write-up ELN as required
• Presentation of work at internal and external meetings as required
• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support one or more antibody discovery programs in inflammation and/or immuno-oncology

Requirements

• A BSc (or equivalent) or MSc in a relevant area of biology ideally with demonstrable experience in industry/biotech of drug discovery (essential)
• Experience with human cell culture (essential) and ideally assembly of cells into complex models of disease (preferred).
• A knowledge of growing fibroblasts (essential), Macrophages (essential), endothelial cells (preferred) and epithelial cells (preferred).
• The biological understanding to learn analytical techniques such as 3D high content imaging, multi colour flow cytometry and multiplex ligand assays. (Preferred)
• Experience of solving technical problems in assay development to achieve key project objectives and adhere to timelines (Preferred)
• Ability to work independently, yet co-operatively with others in a dynamic fast-paced environment; genuine desire to be a part of a team and contribute to organizational and team goals (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and verbal presentations of findings (Essential)
• Passionate, inclusive, open-minded, collaborative and forward-thinking (Essential)

Applicants will need the right to work in the UK for this opening. Unfortunately we are not in a position to be able to sponsor.

In return we can offer you

We work flexibly with a strong team spirit and offer a highly competitive total rewards package including competitive salaries, pension contributions, private medical insurance, income protection and more.

We have access to a range of onsite facilities including a gym, canteen, golf course and free on site parking.

As a team we achieve great things each day, and we take the time to celebrate successes, share and learn. We value the relationships of our close-knit team and strive to make meaningful connections in our community. We frequently hold Town Halls and team lunches, and have an active social committee, organizing regular events and 'giving back' activities supporting charities close to our hearts.

About Mestag Therapeutics

Mestag harnesses new insights into fibroblast-immune interactions to develop impactful treatments for patients. We are progressing a pipeline of sophisticated first-in-class antibodies designed to improve the lives of patients with cancer and inflammatory disease. Together with our collaboration partner Janssen Biotech, Inc. we are also identifying novel targets for future therapies.

Our founding investigators comprise global experts in inflammatory disease, cancer, computational biology and fibroblast biology from the University of Oxford, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. We are supported by leading life science investors SV Health Investors, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc., Forbion, GV (formerly Google Ventures) and Northpond Ventures.

Mestag is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and in 2021 was recognized on the Fierce 15 list of innovative biotechnology companies.

For further information please visit our website www.mestagtherapeutics.com