About Us
Exscientia is an AI-driven precision medicine company committed to discovering, designing and developing the best possible drugs in the fastest and most effective manner. Exscientia developed the first-ever functional precision oncology platform to successfully guide treatment selection and improve patient outcomes in a prospective interventional clinical study, as well as to progress AI-designed small molecules into the clinical setting. Our internal pipeline is focused on leveraging our precision medicine platform in oncology, while our partnered pipeline broadens our approach to other therapeutic areas. By pioneering a new approach to medicine creation, we believe the best ideas of science can rapidly become the best medicines for patients.
The Role
We are expanding screening capabilities at our new state-of-the-art laboratories in Milton Park and are seeking an experienced, motivated, and dynamic individual to join the Primary Pharmacology team. This team provides critical data driving our drug discovery projects and is in charge of conceiving, developing, and executing biochemical and cellular assays for a range of target classes, often in areas of novel biology.
You will be given the freedom to design, plan and execute a variety of experiments ensuring that assays are fit-for-purpose, and that data is appropriately quality-controlled. In our newly-built laboratories, we have access to a wide array of assay technologies (FRET, luminescence, fluorescence polarisation) with automation capabilities, and we are continually striving to deploy the latest technologies and develop ever more efficient processes. For this reason, we're seeking an adaptable scientist who thrives when working across multiple projects.
Please note this is an on-site lab-based role at our Milton Park site in Oxford, with occasional flexibility to work from home in the UK. We are a flexible working organisation and we’re willing to consider other options which would provide similar contact time with the team.
We may also hire this role at the junior biochemist level. If you have 2+ years of practical biochemistry experience in primary pharmacology but don't have enough experience to meet the requirements below, please feel free to apply and we will consider your application for a more junior role.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Develop, optimise and validate assays to help drive development of therapeutic small molecules with a focus on compound characterisation and the rapid identification of candidate molecules.
- Learn the latest scientific developments, evaluate new technologies and present both internally and externally.
- Gain exposure to all scientific disciplines within the drug discovery process from target validation to candidate selection.
Requirements
Essential:
- BSc / MSc / PhD in Biology, Pharmacology, or a related discipline degree or significant relevant experience, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
- 4+ years professional experience (Postdoc or industrial) in a biochemistry role, with a minimum of 2+ years using plate-based assays.
- Practical experience of biochemical / biophysical assay techniques for in vitro assay development, optimisation and validation (including FRET, fluorescence polarisation, luminescence assays, thermal shift).
- Practical experience of screening and data analysis including dose-response relationships.
- Knowledge of quality control assay statistics to provide high quality data.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including ability to communicate technical information to a non-specialist audience.
Optional:
- Experience of MOA studies to obtain mechanistic data.
Benefits
- Join our inclusive, collaborative and intellectually stimulating organisation with strong company values.
- As a learning organisation, we provide access to learning and development opportunities and will place you at the forefront of your career growth at Exscientia.
- We employ brilliant people so we pay highly competitive salaries. Additionally, all our employees are eligible for a company-wide annual bonus and receive both a new joiner and annual share award.
- Enjoy our generous holiday allowance and flexible working approach to find a healthy work-life balance that works for you.
- Create amazing memories or progress your personal and professional development with our four-week paid sabbatical after four years of service.
- We’re leading the way in progressive leave, offering enhanced policies such as generous parental leave, surrogacy, menopause, and family emergency leave so you feel supported no matter the life event.
- Additionally, we support childcare costs for children aged 0-5 through our affordable childcare scheme.
- Take advantage of two generous salary exchange schemes to claim discounts on a brand new electric vehicle and cycling equipment worth up to £3,500.
- As a healthcare company, we understand the importance of health and wellbeing so we provide comprehensive private health insurance, dental and vision benefits for you and your family.
- We also provide plenty of access to mental health support including therapy and counselling sessions plus an employee assistance program for help with lifestyle issues such as bereavement, family problems or money management.
- To help safeguard the future for you and your loved ones, we also offer pension and life cover.
- Help yourself to free drinks and snacks in our fully stocked kitchens. Join your colleagues in one of our many breakout areas and get to know the people you are working with. Some of the best ideas start with a coffee break!
- Feel inspired in our high spec labs where you will use state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation that enable you to do your best work.
- We’ll even support your home office environment with an allowance for furniture and equipment to make your space as comfortable and productive as possible.
- Learn more about why our team enjoy working at Exscientia here
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Last updated on Mar 25, 2024