Membrane Protein Chemist
Membrane Protein Chemist - Staff Scientist
OBJECTIVES:
With requested guidance, establishes and exploits state-of-the-art equipment and processes to express and then highly purify membrane proteins (e.g. integral membrane proteins, GPCRs, ion channels and membrane-associated proteins) and their complexes with agonists and/or antagonists for crystallographic analysis to support further design of drug candidates. Highly purified proteins also support assay development and compound screening at TCAL or other Takeda sites.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• Designs and executes experiments to complete the company goals and become an industry leader in membrane protein structural biology • With minimal guidance, performs hands-on small-scale and large-scale purification of membrane proteins using state-of-the-art methods and technologies to support crystallization. Establishes and incorporates bioanalytical and biochemical assays to measure and optimize stability and functionality of membrane proteins during and after purification such as (but not limited to) enzymatic assays, protein/detergent/lipid characterization studies, time-dependent stability studies.• Performs hands-on small-scale and large-scale expression optimization of membrane proteins. Uses state-of-the art technologies to monitor and optimize expression parameters as well as to optimize protein yields to support crystallization and assay development. • Performs hands-on crystallization of membrane proteins using LCP, hanging/sitting/sandwich drop techniques and/or other state-of-the-art crystallization techniques. Optimizes protein and/or crystallization conditions through detergent/lipid/protein and precipitant screening and optimization to support formation of diffraction-grade crystals.• With minimal guidance, designs and works out purification conditions to obtain highly purified, functional and stabilized membrane protein material to support discovery biology groups and supply protein for assay development and compound screening.• Provides input and feedback to the molecular biologist, protein chemists and crystallographers in our team or within the organization on new protein boundary designs, incorporation of mutations that alter protein function and stability and on new ideas to improve protein expression and purification yields, crystallizability and diffraction quality of membrane protein crystals.• Proactively seeks out new data and new technologies and incorporates them into the lab. Proactively identifies membrane protein targets that will be most suitable for structure analysis and structure-based drug design.• Creates relevant intellectual property for the company and contributes to patent authorship or authorship of scientific manuscripts, frequently as principal author; may be a member of a project core team. • Receives priority instructions on all work, determines methods on new assignments and works closely with manager, may manage junior staff.• Participates and presents own research to internal management and/or external collaboration teams.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Ph.D. in life science or equivalent with Post Doc, publication(s) and 0-3 years of relevant experience in membrane protein chemistry, OR• MS/MA in life science with minimum 10+ years of relevant experience, OR • BS/BA in life science with minimum 12+ years of relevant experience • Proven track record in membrane protein structural biology with 2years of expert knowledge and hands-on experience in successful expression, purification, bioanalytical and biochemical characterization of membrane proteins using state-of-the art technologies.• Proven in-depth knowledge and expertise in membrane protein biology demonstrated preferably through principle authorship in peer-reviewed publication(s).• Demonstrated independent thought/creativity in science and able to convey ideas in an experimentally detailed yet scientifically concise manner.• Excellent collaboration, communication and multitasking skills and able to present work formally to Research Committee and/or other Takeda groups.• Expert knowledge of applicable state-of-the-art lab equipment.• Possesses a high degree of scientific discretion/intuition
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Prolonged standing and/or sitting• Manual dexterity required to operate office and heavy lab equipment • Carrying, handling and reaching for objects• Working in cold room (4°C)• Exposure to hazardous/toxic/dangerous chemicals
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
• May travel to various domestic conferences or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.• A minimum of 2% travel.
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