Position Summary
The Scientific Associate III, Coordinator - Biophysical Assays and Hit Validation, will work within an exciting new multidisciplinary international research project which seeks to accelerate the early stages of drug discovery. Reporting to the Co-Director of the UHN Collaborative Centre for Drug Discovery, the Scientific Associate III will coordinate the activities of a research team working on validation hits from ASMS and DEL ultra high throughput sceens, and ensure coordination with collaborating research teams in protein science, novel compound screening technologies, protein interaction characterization, medicinal chemistry, data science, and AI/machine learning. We work closely with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and technology leaders to develop innovative tools and platforms that make biomedical research faster, more collaborative, and more impactful. This open science, milestone-driven program seeks to revolutionize and democratize drug discovery to advance human health.
Duties
- Coordinate hit validation workflows for compounds identified in AS-MS and DEL screening at the Project’s UHN laboratory and international partners.
- Coordinate team discussions and decisions for assay design, execution, and data analysis of protein-ligand interactions assays.
- Ensure consistency and reproducibility of validation experiments across sites, implementing standardized protocols where possible.
- Collaborate with protein production teams to ensure sufficient supplies of high-quality protein samples for follow-up studies.
- Track project progress using databases and project management tools; prepare regular reports, KPIs, and dashboards for leadership, funders, and collaborators.
- Identify technical or logistical bottlenecks in validation workflows and implement solutions to streamline processes.
- Provide scientific input to refine hit triage and selection criteria.
- Facilitate knowledge exchange and communication between internal teams and external collaborating labs.
- Support project planning, risk management, and resource allocation.
- Contribute to lab management activities and ensure adherence to safety standards.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Biological or Chemical Sciences is required.
- At minimum, 5 years of related experience is required.
- Experience in protein biochemistry, protein-ligand binding assays, and hit validation in drug discovery.
- Familiarity with AS-MS and/or DEL screening workflows and downstream biophysical/biochemical validation methods is desired.
- Proven track record in collaborative, multi-site research projects.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Experience with data analysis, reporting, and database management.
- Proficiency with project management (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Project), collaboration (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), and cloud storage tools (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive).
- Knowledge of health and safety legislation and procedures.
- Willingness and ability to travel to collaborating sites for coordination, training and meetings.
Additional Information
This position is based at the University Health Network (UHN) and has been created to advance research efforts aligned with the goals of Target 2035, a global open-science initiative focused on enabling the discovery of chemical probes for every human protein. Successful candidates will contribute to cutting-edge projects in protein science, data generation, and early-stage drug discovery supported by UHN affiliated and appointed scientist that share the principles of open science.
Find more information and apply here: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/UniversityHealthNetwork/74400008566512…