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- Tasks: Join us to express and purify membrane proteins for groundbreaking drug discovery.
- Company: Nxera Pharma is a biopharma innovator focused on developing specialty medicines for global patient needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 26 days leave, private medical insurance, and a gym membership.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team driving cutting-edge research in a vibrant Cambridge science hub.
- Qualifications: PhD in Biochemistry or related field with experience in membrane protein expression and purification.
- Other info: Work in a state-of-the-art R&D centre and contribute to impactful drug design.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
CK Group are working in partnership with Nxera Pharma to recruit a Membrane Protein Biochemist to join their Protein Sciences division. This role is ideal for a scientist passionate about GPCRs and the biochemistry of membrane proteins. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge drug discovery in a highly collaborative and innovative environment. Applications are welcomed from candidates with a PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics or similar, with proven experience in membrane protein expression and purification.
Location: Granta Park, Cambridge.
About the company: Nxera Pharma (formerly Sosei Heptares) is a technology powered biopharma company, in pursuit of new speciality medicines to improve the lives of patients with unmet needs globally. Their pipeline is focused on addressing major unmet needs in some of the fastest-growing areas of medicine across CNS, GI and immunology, metabolic disorders and rare diseases, and leverages the power of their unique and industry leading GPCR-targeted structure-based drug discovery "NxWave" platform to provide a sustainable source of best- or first-in-class candidates. In Cambridge UK, Nxera have built outstanding capabilities across their platform, discovery and translational medicine teams, to advance multiple programs from pre-clinical through to early clinical development.
About the role: In this role you will focus on the expression and purification of challenging membrane proteins destined for biochemical, biophysical and structural studies to support Nxera’s structure-based drug design process.
Responsibilities will include:
- Express and purify membrane proteins for biochemical, biophysical and structural biology applications.
- Design and engineer membrane protein expression constructs to maximise functional expression in mammalian and insect cell expression systems.
- Optimise protein expression and fine-tune protein purification workflows to obtain pure, homogeneous and stable membrane proteins.
- Biochemically and biophysically characterise purified membrane proteins using a range of analytical techniques (fSEC, DLS, SEC-MALS, DSF, FP, etc.).
- Reconstitute purified membrane proteins in membrane mimetic environments (lipid nanodiscs, liposomes, amphipols, etc.).
- Assemble and purify homogeneous and stoichiometric multi-component protein complexes.
- Keep up to date with relevant scientific literature, propose, develop, implement and optimise new methodologies in the fields of membrane protein expression, purification and biochemical characterisation.
- Prepare and effectively present results (written and oral) to project teams.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and collaborate effectively with other Nxera scientists to successfully progress membrane protein targets through the Nxera structure-based drug design pipeline.
- Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records.
Skills and Experience:
- A PhD in biochemistry, biophysics or a related discipline.
- Proven molecular biology skills enabling the design and engineering of membrane protein expression constructs tailored to downstream applications.
- Proficiency in the expression of membrane proteins in mammalian and insect cell expression systems (transfection and transduction-based methods).
- Practical expertise in optimising purification protocols for membrane proteins.
- Deep understanding of what constitutes a good membrane protein sample for structural (X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM) and biophysical studies (SPR, mass spectrometry).
- Demonstrable experience in a broad range of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Desirable:
- Ability to design and interpret protein construct optimisation using in silico methods (e.g. AlphaFold) with wet lab impact.
- Ability to effectively analyse experimental or predicted structures of membrane proteins (cryoEM, X-ray, in silico).
- Experience using molecular graphics software (e.g. Pymol, Chimera, Coot).
- Experience with assay development and optimisation for small molecule drug discovery.
- Experience in the reconstitution of purified membrane proteins in membrane-mimetic environments.
What’s in it for you?
- State-of-the-art R&D centre located in the heart of the Cambridge science cluster.
- Competitive compensation package including discretionary cash bonuses.
- Eligible for grants of Restricted Stock Units.
- 26 days annual leave in addition to public holidays.
- Employer contribution to pension.
- Private Medical Insurance for employees and family and a cash plan for dental and optical reimbursement.
- Health and wellbeing benefits including a subsidised individual gym membership.
- Income protection to cover long term absences due to ill health.
- Group Death in Service equal to 4x basic annual salary.
Apply: It is essential that applicants hold entitlement to work in the UK. Please quote job reference 131 454 in all correspondence.
Membrane Protein Biochemist employer: New Scientist
Contact Detail:
New Scientist Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Membrane Protein Biochemist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of membrane protein biochemistry. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet scientists from Nxera Pharma or similar companies. Building these connections can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest research and advancements in GPCRs and membrane protein biochemistry. Familiarise yourself with Nxera Pharma's pipeline and their unique NxWave platform, as this knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific techniques and methodologies related to membrane protein expression and purification that you have experience with. Be ready to share examples of how you've optimised workflows or solved challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your presentation skills, as you'll need to effectively communicate your results to project teams. Consider creating a mock presentation based on your past work to showcase your ability to convey complex scientific information clearly.
We think you need these skills to ace Membrane Protein Biochemist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your PhD in Biochemistry or Biophysics and any relevant experience with membrane protein expression and purification. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in these areas.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for GPCRs and the biochemistry of membrane proteins. Mention how your background aligns with Nxera Pharma's mission and the specific responsibilities of the role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your proficiency in techniques such as fSEC, DLS, SEC-MALS, and others mentioned in the job description. Provide examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles or research.
Showcase Collaboration Experience: Since the role involves working closely with other scientists, include examples of past collaborative projects. Highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at New Scientist
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your PhD research and any relevant experience in membrane protein expression and purification. Highlight specific techniques you've used, such as fSEC or DLS, and how they relate to the role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect questions about challenges you've faced in your previous work with membrane proteins. Share examples of how you optimised purification protocols or engineered constructs to improve functional expression.
✨Stay Current with Literature
Familiarise yourself with recent advancements in GPCR-targeted drug discovery and membrane protein biochemistry. Being able to reference current studies will show your passion and commitment to the field.
✨Prepare for Team Collaboration Questions
Since this role involves working closely with other scientists, be ready to discuss your interpersonal skills and experiences in collaborative projects. Share examples of how you effectively communicated results and contributed to team goals.
