Research Scientist / or Senior Scientist I - Target Discovery and Validation x 2

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Research Scientist / or Senior Scientist I - Target Discovery and Validation

Chesterford research Park - Cambridge UK

Permanent

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 equipped 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

Job Summary/ Scope of Role

This is an outstanding new opportunity for a proactive and energetic Research Scientist/Senior Scientist to join an innovative biotech company and work closely with experienced scientists. We are looking for a highly collaborative cellular biologist with a passion for science who would like to join a committed, dynamic team and share our vision to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The successful candidate will work closely with project leads within the Target Discovery team to develop translational human in vitro models of fibrotic disease and apply these in a CRISPR knockout screen to facilitate the identification of novel targets.

You will undertake development of complex 3D human in vitro models, 2 and 3D imaging approaches, flow cytometry and ligand (MSD, ELISA) based assays.

We are looking for a highly collaborative cellular biologist with a passion for science who ideally has a background in fibrotic disease (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Systemic Sclerosis, Stricturing Crohn's Disease) with experience in measuring extracellular matrix levels and cell state. The successful applicant will benefit from extensive training and exposure to cutting edge technologies such as bioprinting, nanoshuttle assembly of cells, 3D laser imaging, CRISPR knockout and artificial intelligence based high content image assessment.

Key Responsibilities

• Mammalian cell culture of primary and transformed cells both in 2D and 3D systems
• Immunofluorescent staining & 3D Imaging / quantification of human models including in 384 well screening format
• Ligand based assays including multiplexed.
• Dissociation of cellular models with characterisation of cell state by Flow cytometry using up to 25 channels
• 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

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

Essential:

• A recent PhD in immunology or fibrotic disease (or equivalent), OR a BSc / MSc in a relevant area of cell biology with demonstrable experience in industry/biotech of Drug Discovery or Academia
• Experience with complex tissue culture
• Imaging (ideally in multi-well plate systems), multi-parameter flow cytometry and qPCR assays.
• Experience of solving technical problems in assay development to achieve key project objectives and adhere to timelines.
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and verbal presentations of findings
• Passionate, inclusive, open-minded, collaborative and forward-thinking

• Ability to work independently yet with a collaborative style with colleagues and project teams within Mestag and with external partners.
• Excellent communication, including report writing and presentation skills.
• Pragmatic trouble-shooter able to adapt ideas and experiments to achieve key programme objectives and adhere to timelines.

Preferred, (but not essential):

• Experience of working in the area of fibrosis for example Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Systemic Sclerosis or Stricturing Crohn's Disease
• A working knowledge of bioprinting or spheroid models
• Knowledge and application of scRNAseq and proteomics (SomaScan).
• Knowledge of R programming and GraphPad PRISM

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, super pension contributions, private medical insurance, income protection, learning and development and more.

We have access to a range of onsite facilities including a gym, canteen, golf course, park walks 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