Senior Scientist, Biochemical Assay Development

Are you excited about getting in on the ground floor of a startup company poised to revolutionize small molecule drug discovery? At Kimia Therapeutics we are building a next generation drug discovery engine by combining high-throughput chemistry and screening with state-of-the-art computational approaches to accelerate the discovery of novel drugs. At Kimia, we look for collaborative teammates who are motivated by our mission and would like to play an impactful role in the growth and success of an emerging pharmaceutical company.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join our Drug Discovery Technology team. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing biochemical and cellular assays for HTS and small molecule profiling, as well as conducting detailed mechanistic and enzymology studies to characterize compound MOA and validation. You will work closely with the protein production and high throughput screening teams to bring new targets online and advance candidate drugs from hit to lead. This laboratory-based role offers exceptional hands-on learning opportunities and involves close collaboration with our scientists on innovative early-stage drug discovery programs.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate biochemical assays to support new target initiation, small molecule hit identification and MOA studies
• Optimize performance of in vitro assays for sensitivity, specificity, and high-throughput compatibility
• Application of binding/inhibition models to determine small molecule mechanism of action (cooperativity, competitive/non-competitive, etc.)
• Contribute to the validation and execution of in vitro MOA studies for small molecule drug candidates
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate assays into discovery pipelines
• Document and maintain accurate records of assay protocols and experimental data
• Interpret, summarize, and present research findings to multidisciplinary project teams
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biochemistry or a related field with 2+ years industry experience in small molecule drug discovery; or BS/MS degree with 8+ years experience
• Expertise in in vitro biochemical assay design and development in multiple assay formats both enzymatic and binding (FRET, FP, TRF, ELISA, AlphaScreen, fluorometric, luminescence, colorimetric, etc.)
• Strong hands-on experience in designing and validating biochemical functional assays
• Experience in developing and utilizing biochemical screening assays to support drug discovery lead optimization programs
• Knowledge of enzymology and experience with MOA studies for small molecule compounds
• Proven ability to interpret, summarize, and present research findings to multidisciplinary project teams
• Knowledge of automation and validation of assays for HTS is beneficial
• Experience with cellular high-throughput assay development is a plus
  
  
  

We offer a vibrant startup environment where every member of the Kimia team plays an important role in shaping our science and our culture. Kimia offers competitive pay, participation in our stock option plan, and comprehensive benefits. At Kimia we believe that a diverse, open and inclusive environment is key to our success. We are proud to be equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for employment.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment at Kimia. If you are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to a disability, or serious medical condition, or because it would violate your sincerely held religious belief, you will have an opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation.

Note to external recruiters: Please do not submit any agency resumes. Kimia will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $124,000 to $160,000. The final salary will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc.

On top of base salary, we offer comprehensive benefits, bonus, and equity. If this range doesn't match your expectations, please still apply because we may have another opportunity for you.