Sr. Associate Scientist, Biochemistry

Work Location: Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Summary:

Seeking a motivated scientist to support biochemical assay development, compound screening, and recombinant protein production for discovery programs. This role involves hands-on biochemical testing, close collaboration with cross-functional teams, and troubleshooting technical issues to ensure high-quality assay and reagent performance.

Responsibilities:

• Perform routine compound testing using established biochemical screening workflows, including dilution, dispensing, measurement, data capture, and quality control.
• Conduct plate-based binding and activity assays utilizing formats such as FP, TR-FRET, and AlphaLISA.
• Support biophysical characterization with techniques like DSF, SPR, and analytical SEC.
• Assist in assay development, optimization, reagent qualification, and method transfer across team members and instruments.
• Maintain consistent assay performance by applying controls, reference standards, and trending key metrics.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to assay variability, reagent quality, or instrumentation under guidance from senior staff.
• Contribute to recombinant protein production and ensure continuity of biochemical and biophysical assays.
• Prepare, track, and maintain critical reagents, buffers, media, and protein stocks, and support lab operations and inventory.

Qualifications:

• B.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field with 6+ years of relevant industry experience; or M.S. with 2–4+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with biochemical or biophysical assays in a drug discovery environment.
• Proficiency with techniques such as FP, TR-FRET, SPR, analytical SEC, SDS-PAGE, western blotting, and DSF.
• Experience with plate-based screening assays, including multichannel pipetting, compound dilution, plate handling, and/or automated liquid handling.
• Strong attention to detail, commitment to data quality, reproducibility, and thorough documentation.
• Comfort working with SOPs, timelines, shared workflows, and routine assay performance expectations.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional laboratory environment.
• Ability to recognize experimental issues, communicate clearly, and contribute to troubleshooting and process improvements.
• Experience with recombinant protein production in E. coli, mammalian, or insect cell culture is a plus.
• Familiarity with affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, preparative SEC, and protein QC workflows preferred.
• Experience supporting high-throughput assay operations, automation, or automated data workflows is advantageous.
• Knowledge of assay QC statistics (e.g., Z’ factor, signal-to-background, coefficient of variation, replicate analysis, control trending) is beneficial.
• Background in oncology, targeted protein modulation, peptide therapeutics, intracellular targets, or related drug discovery areas is a plus.

Published Category: Discovery Research & Preclinical