At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative drug discovery projects using advanced biophysical techniques like SPR.
- Company: Nxera Pharma, a tech-driven biopharma focused on improving patient lives.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and contribute to groundbreaking therapies for unmet medical needs.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in drug discovery and work on cutting-edge GPCR targets.
- Qualifications: PhD or MSc with hands-on experience in drug discovery and strong SPR expertise.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 ÂŁ 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.
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 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 in all correspondence.
Senior Scientist - SPR, Biophysics employer: Talentmark
Contact Detail:
Talentmark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - SPR, Biophysics
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the biophysics field, especially those at Nxera Pharma or similar companies. LinkedIn is your best mate here; connect, engage, and don’t be shy to ask for informational chats.
✨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 even doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for innovation! When discussing your experience, highlight any unique projects or methodologies you’ve developed. This will set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to advancing biophysical techniques.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - SPR, Biophysics
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your hands-on experience with SPR and any relevant biophysical techniques. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
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 Nxera Pharma's mission. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
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 biophysical data that influenced drug discovery decisions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Talentmark
✨Know Your SPR Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your surface plasmon resonance (SPR) knowledge. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Biacore platforms and how you've applied SPR in previous projects. Prepare specific examples of how you've designed experiments and interpreted data.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Since the role involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, be prepared to share experiences where you've collaborated effectively. Highlight any instances where your contributions helped advance a project or improved methodologies, especially in drug discovery.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to biophysical techniques and protein-ligand interactions. Brush up on kinetic and affinity analysis, and be ready to explain your approach to developing and optimising SPR assays. Practise articulating complex concepts clearly and concisely.
✨Communicate Your Passion for Innovation
Nxera Pharma values innovation, so express your enthusiasm for continuous improvement in SPR methodologies. Share any ideas you have for enhancing biophysical techniques or your thoughts on emerging trends in drug discovery that could benefit their work.