Advertisement No.2/2013
Applications are invited from creative, self-motivated and experienced SENIOR SCIENTISTS with a track record of excellence at the forefront of drug discovery research in academia or industry for the position of ‘Staff Scientist’ in The Centre for Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CCBT). The successful candidate will participate in a multidisciplinary research programme in a new initiative for chemical biology and therapeutics research.

The Centre for Chemical Biology and Therapeutics (CCBT) is an inter-institutional collaboration funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, between the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem). (http://instem.res.in/research/research-themes/center-for-chemical-biology-and-therapeutics). It is an integrated multidisciplinary research centre designed to pioneer new approaches to create small-molecule tools that target intracellular signaling pathways for chemical biology and molecular therapeutics, and use them to conduct hypothesis-generating and hypothesis-driven translational research on systems of biomedical importance. Its overall vision will be to foster innovative therapeutic interventions for important human diseases. It is located on the NCBS campus in north Bangalore, a premier site for biomedical research equipped with the latest instrumentation and facilities, with a flourishing community of academic and industrial researchers. Professor Ashok Venkitaraman (University of Cambridge, UK, and inStem/NCBS) coordinates the programme.

The CCBT operates through the uniquely integrated effort of multidisciplinary project teams using common technological platforms, and not as a collection of independent PI-led labs that is usual in academia. Thus, we are looking to recruit senior scientists with relevant postdoctoral experience of directing lead generation and target validation projects in a multidisciplinary team environment using functional reporting. A high level of expertise in any one of the following broad areas - molecular cell biology and/or protein biochemistry and structural biology and/or computational or synthetic chemistry - is required, along with sufficient familiarity of the other disciplines to permit the applicant to lead a multidisciplinary project. Applicants with experience in industry or in academic drug discovery programmes are particularly welcome.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant subject, and several years’ relevant postdoctoral experience, ideally gained in pharma or biotech. A track record of accomplishment in drug discovery, ideally using structure-guided approaches, is essential, as is experienced in project management. Evidence of working with a high level of independence to deliver scientific projects ‘on time and to budget’ would be an advantage.

Job responsibilities

• Manage projects aimed at developing new chemical entities that regulate intracellular signalling pathways disrupted in diseases like cancer, with a view to target validation and lead generation, in a multidisciplinary team environment using functional reporting.
• Provide a high level of scientific expertise in one or more of the following areas: molecular cell biology of intracellular signaling; protein biochemistry/biophysics and structural biology; computational or synthetic chemistry.
• Continuously monitor the progress of projects and revise strategy based on latest scientific findings, ideas and methodologies for discovery research.
• Interpret and analyse scientific data and present the findings in internal and external scientific meetings.
• Interact with academic researchers to develop new methods or insights relevant to project development.
• Communicate with various stakeholders and coordinate research efforts between various academic groups, advisors and CROs.

Qualifications and experience

• Strong academic qualifications, including: Ph.D. in a relevant subject, and several years’ relevant postdoctoral experience. Publications in high impact peer reviewed journals.
• Wide ranging experience with drug discovery and development, gained in academia or pharma/biotech, preferably using structure-guided approaches.
• A track record of accomplishment in drug discovery, preferably using structure-guided approaches, preferably in one or more of the following areas: target validation, lead generation or preclinical proof-of-concept.
• High-level expertise in one or more of the following areas - molecular cell biology of intracellular signaling; protein biochemistry/biophysics and structural biology; computational or synthetic chemistry – and sufficient working familiarity with the other areas to manage multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams of cell biologists, chemists, biophysicists and structural biologists for target validation, screening, and chemical lead optimization.
• Experience in project management with evidence of working with a high level of independence to deliver scientific projects on time and to budget.

Application procedure:
An application package consisting of the following information should be sent by email to: kk@instem.res.in and by hard copy to the Officer on Special Duty,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, NCBS-TIFR, GKVK PO, Bellary Road, Bangalore- 560065, on or before 2.12.2013.

• Letter of intent
• CV
• Publication list
• Contact details of three professional referees

General:

1. Age will not be bar for candidates with exceptional experience in the specific field or for outstanding young Ph.Ds.
2. Salary and benefits will be attractive and will be tailored according to the candidates experience and suitability for the project.
3. This position is available for 3 years in the first instance with the possibility of renewal.