Are you a collaborative, impact-focused problem solver excited about developing improved approaches to transporting drugs across the blood-brain barrier? Join the Wyss' Brain Targeting Program! We are seeking a scientist to support the discovery and validation of our antibody brain shuttles and to lead the development of our brain shuttle-mediated oligonucleotide platform. Apply today!
About the Role:
The Wyss Institute’s Brain Targeting Program (BTP), co-led by James Gorman, M.D., Ph.D. and Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., is developing brain delivery technologies that enable development of safer and more effective brain-targeted therapeutics for diverse brain diseases. Our brain delivery platform enables these therapeutic advances by improving transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the brain. We are looking for a talented Scientist to support the discovery and validation of our antibody brain shuttles and to lead the development of our brain shuttle-mediated oligonucleotide platform. Reporting to the Principal Scientist, you will work closely with our team using both in vitro cellular systems and in vivo humanized mouse models to optimize oligonucleotide delivery.
Job-Specific Responsibilities
What you’ll do:
- Support in vitro and in vivo validation of brain shuttles, using protein and cell binding assays, and in vivo brain and blood pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies in mouse models.
- Lead brain shuttle-mediated ASO delivery platform development.
- Choose and adapt ASO production approaches from the public domain and prepare material either in-house or with a CRO.
- Perform conjugation of ASOs with antibody shuttles, with traditional or novel conjugation chemisty(ies).
- Design mouse studies for shuttle-ASO validation; prepare and analyze mouse tissues and blood for PK/PD analysis.
- Select appropriate mouse disease models and validate novel shuttle-ASO fusion drugs in models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS and others.
- Develop, validate, and perform various protocols including confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, cell-based assays, plate-based ELISA assays, and others.
- Analyze and interpret experimental data, learn new skills, troubleshoot, and contribute intellectually to projects.
- Present data and results at meetings internally and externally.
- Perform support activities and lab maintenance as assigned, and function in a team-oriented environment with other scientists and staff at the Institute as well as external collaborators.
- Supervise and train junior scientists, academic trainees, and others.
Basic Qualifications
What you'll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field
- A minimum of 5 years of experience with ASO chemistry and conjugation, cell culture, rodent handling, and molecular and cellular biology techniques such as ELISA, western blotting, confocal imaging, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), or related experience. Advanced education may count towards years of experience.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Desirable skills:
- PhD and 3+ years of post-doctoral experience in neuroscience, biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related fields strongly preferred.
- Industry experience preferred.
- Experience with ASO conjugation, including development and optimization of conjugation protocols.
- Ability to work independently as well as to collaborate with a multidisciplinary group.
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.
For more information, please visit Scientist II – Brain Targeting Program