Scientist/Senior Scientist – Phage Display and Antibody Discovery: Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK-AstraZeneca Antibody Alliance Laboratory: Scientist/Senior Scientist – Display Technology 

Salary: £32 – 42,000 Per Annum 
Contract Length: Full time, Permanent (Flexible working requests will be considered) 
Hours: 35 

Location: Granta Park, Cambridge 

Closing date: Monday 4th October 11:59pm  

*We will be shortlisting upon application, please apply ASAP to avoid disappointment. 

Are you a self-motivated and focussed individual with experience of drug discovery using antibody display technologies, who can help us beat cancer sooner? 

In collaboration with AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has established a pioneering laboratory in Cambridge. The lab deploys cutting edge technologies in order to generate candidate therapeutics, diagnostics and reagent tools. This exciting venture takes AstraZeneca’s leading discovery technologies and combines them with biological targets arising from CRUK’s extensive network of academic investigators. 

Why we need you 

We are now seeking a scientist/senior scientist with extensive phage display antibody discovery and lead optimisation experience to play a pivotal role in the Display Technology group within the Alliance Laboratory. The post holder will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team focussed on identifying and characterising biotherapeutic candidates to oncology targets and driving onward development to preclinical proof of concept.  

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to... 

  • Play a crucial role in the Display Technology function within the Alliance Laboratory; driving innovation and delivering candidate antibodies using a flexible, forward thinking approach to projects. 
  • Make an impact every day by: 
  • Design, implement and characterise phage display selection campaigns against recombinant and cell-expressed oncology-related target antigens 
  • Design and construct antibody optimisation libraries to use with phage and/or ribosome 
  • display platforms to isolate improved affinity and/or functional clones. 
  • Characterise candidate antibody panels for desired biochemical and functional properties using a broad range of laboratory techniques, such as affinity measurements, binding specificity and developability assays 
  • Have a flexible approach to work, with the capacity to prioritise objectives according to project needs 
  • Experience of building excellent working relationships within a laboratory and with external partners 

You’ll be able to bring to the role: 

  • BSc (hons) in a life sciences degree 
  • PhD in a related subject area, or equivalent industrial experience 
  • Experience of using phage display to deliver candidate antibody panels against a diverse range of recombinant and cell-based antigens. 
  • A strong background in antibody optimisation, including knowledge of targeted and non-targeted library builds. 

Ideally, you’ll also be able to demonstrate excellent knowledge of, or experience of… 

  • The use of bioinformatic and in silico analysis software to guide antibody delivery and prioritisation. 
  • Using Next Generation Sequencing to deliver candidate antibodies 
  • Alternate antibody modalities, including antibody drug conjugates, nanobody and multivalent formats 
  • Antibody discovery platforms, beyond phage and ribosome display 
  • A scientific background in oncology 
  • Experience of leading projects in a laboratory environment 
  • An understanding of biotherapeutic candidate discovery, ideally antibodies, and the overall development process for biotherapeutic drugs. 

What will I gain? 

Without you we wouldn’t be able to achieve our aim of seeing 3 in 4 people survive cancer by 2034. So we want to reward you in as many ways as possible. Our benefits package includes discounts on anything from travel to technology, generous holiday allowance, gym membership, and much more. We want to ensure that you have the best work/life balance possible, so we actively encourage a flexible working culture for all of our roles wherever possible. Depending on your role, options for flexibility could include home-working, reduced or flexi-hours, job shares, job splits, and core hours. For the majority of our office-based roles you’ll only be required to work from a specific location for 1 or 2 days a week on average. 

 You’ll also be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. And ultimately, you’ll know that you’ll be changing lives through your work.   

If you’re as ambitious as we are, join our collective force and enjoy an excellent career, as we save lives and add years. 

How to apply: 

Please apply by submitting your CV and answering some short application questions.  

 

Salary: 
£32,000
£42,000
Closing date: 
Monday, October 4, 2021
Originating organisation: