At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive drug discovery with advanced biophysical techniques and surface plasmon resonance.
- Company: Nxera Pharma, a tech-driven biopharma focused on innovative medicines.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team tackling challenging scientific problems.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of drug discovery and make a real difference in patients' lives.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc with experience in drug discovery and strong SPR expertise.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge
Company: Talentmark partnering with Nxera Pharma
Talentmark is delighted to be partnering with Nxera Pharma to appoint a Senior Scientist – SPR to join their Biophysics team within the Protein Sciences division based in Granta Park, Cambridge. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge drug discovery programmes, applying advanced biophysical techniques from early hit identification through to development candidate selection.
Company: Nxera Pharma is a technology powered biopharma company, in pursuit of new specialty medicines to improve the lives of patients with unmet needs in Japan and globally, focused on therapeutic areas in inflammation diseases, neurology and immunology.
The Role: As a Senior Scientist, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality biophysical data to inform drug discovery decisions, with a strong emphasis on surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
- Perform high-resolution characterisation of protein–ligand interactions using SPR, including kinetic and affinity analysis to support structure–activity relationship (SAR) and mechanistic understanding.
- Design and execute fragment-based and small-molecule screening campaigns, including hit identification, validation, and kinetic profiling.
- Develop, optimise and qualify robust SPR assays, applying appropriate binding models and data analysis approaches.
- Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement in SPR methodologies and the broader biophysics toolkit.
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary project teams to advance membrane protein targets through the drug discovery pipeline.
- Communicate findings effectively through reports, presentations, and cross-functional discussions.
Your Background:
- Proven hands-on experience in a drug discovery environment (PhD or MSc with equivalent industry experience).
- Strong expertise in SPR, including experimental design and data interpretation using Biacore platforms (8K experience highly desirable).
- Experience with complementary techniques such as BLI, mass spectrometry, nDSF or fluorescence-based assays is advantageous.
- Exposure to membrane proteins is beneficial but not essential.
Why Apply:
- Join a highly innovative and collaborative biophysics function.
- Work on scientifically challenging GPCR targets at the forefront of drug discovery.
- Play a visible role in shaping programmes from early discovery through to candidate selection.
It is essential that applicants hold entitlement to work in the UK. Please quote job reference 184629 in all correspondence.
Senior Scientist, Biophysics employer: Talentmark
Nxera Pharma is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in the heart of Cambridge's Granta Park. Employees benefit from a collaborative culture that fosters professional growth and encourages contributions to groundbreaking drug discovery programmes. With a focus on advanced biophysical techniques and a commitment to improving patient lives, Nxera Pharma provides unique opportunities for meaningful work in the biopharma sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist, Biophysics
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biophysics field, especially those who might know someone at Nxera Pharma. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your SPR knowledge and recent advancements in drug discovery. We recommend practising common interview questions and having a few examples ready to showcase your expertise in protein-ligand interactions.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Nxera Pharma and contributing to their innovative projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist, Biophysics
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your experience with SPR and any relevant biophysical techniques. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about drug discovery and how your skills can contribute to our team at Nxera Pharma. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements in previous roles. We love to see quantifiable results, especially those related to SPR and drug discovery. Make us excited about your contributions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talentmark
✨Know Your SPR Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) techniques. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Biacore platforms and how you've applied these in previous roles. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also execute it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in drug discovery, particularly in designing and optimising SPR assays. Think about specific projects where your innovative approaches led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to continuous improvement in methodologies.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since collaboration is key in this role, be ready to share experiences where you've worked closely with multidisciplinary teams. Highlight how your contributions helped advance projects and how you communicated findings effectively. This will illustrate your teamwork skills and adaptability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Nxera Pharma's current projects and future directions in biophysics. This shows your genuine interest in the company and the role, and it gives you a chance to assess if their goals align with your career aspirations.
