Research Associate in Chemical Biology

About the role:

We are seeking an ambitious and creative chemical biologist to join the group of Prof Ed Tate at Imperial College, working on design and application of disruptive new technologies for novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) discovery. The position is available full time, starting by early 2025.

ADCs offer the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of patients by combining unprecedented efficacy with reduced side effects; they are among the fastest-growing classes of drugs, with a market expected to reach over $30 billion in the next 10 years. This is a rapidly evolving field, and ADC-related spinouts from our lab have raised over $100 million in Venture investment to date (e.g. Myricx Bio, https://myricxbio.com/).

What you would be doing:

The Tate lab recently developed a powerful technology platform for de novo discovery of the critical linker component of an ADC, enabling selective release of the drug to deliver maximum therapeutic index, combining high potency with low toxicity. You will join a team of outstanding scientists in the Tate lab at Imperial’s state-of-the art £200M Molecular Sciences Research Hub, and at our recently-founded spinout company, Siftr Bio (https://www.linkedin.com/company/siftr-bio/), co-located at Imperial’s White City Campus. You will have the unique opportunity to make foundational contributions to ADC linker technology and its application to in vivo proof of concept studies, whilst collaborating with entrepreneurial innovators at a fast-moving newly formed biotech.

See the Tate group website for recent relevant papers (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/tate-group/), for example: Angew Chemie 2023, e202311190; JACS 2022, 22493; Nat Chem Biol 2021, 776; JACS 2021, 8911; ACS Chem Biol 2020, 1306. Further details will be discussed in confidence with shortlisted candidates.

What we are looking for:

Essential criteria for the role include:

• Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD in chemical biology, or a closely related field; or an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience
• A strong research track record relative to experience, in academia and/or industry
• An interest in translating basic science toward patient benefit
• Independent capability and creativity in idea generation and experimental design
• Ability to mentor junior researchers, and to set and attain research objectives as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable experience for this role includes one or more of the following: design and generation of ADCs or related conjugates; peptide synthesis; activity-based probe design and applications; protein biochemistry; mammalian cell culture and microscopy; handling patient tissues; proteomics and/or chemical proteomics.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• Grow your career: Gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).

Further Information

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

If you require any further details on the role, please contact: Prof Ed Tate – e.tate@imperial.ac.uk                                               

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