_Who We Are:_
Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube. (_*in collaboration with AbbVie_)
_About the Role:_
We are seeking a highly-motivated, collaborative and experienced drug hunter who will become an integral member of the growing in vitro pharmacology team. The successful candidate will support and lead multiple drug discovery project teams. As an integral member of the pharmacology team, candidate will support lead optimization campaigns and multiple new target screening efforts in the context of multidisciplinary project teams. The candidate will work on a broad range of assay technologies/platforms and a wide variety of automated equipment in a collaborative and dynamic work environment. Contributes to process efficiency and research quality. The work is fast-paced and process-oriented in an environment where efficiency and continuous improvement are integral goals.
_Your Contributions (include, but are not limited to):_
- Develops robust biochemical and cell-based assays, supporting the drug discovery process, and rapidly delivering robust SAR data
- Designs, optimizes, validates, executes & analyzes in vitro pharmacology assays under minimal supervision to generate high quality, reproducible results
- Perform routine assays to support lead identification & optimization
- Develop, optimize, and perform deep dive explorations of MOA
- Responsible for data analysis, reporting and presentation to internal/external teams
- Experience with cell/tissue culture of recombinant and/or primary cells
- Provides recommendations to improve on process efficiency and research quality
- Performs MOA studies, such as neurite outgrowth, electrophysiology, MEA, and immunostaining
- Critical analysis and insightful interpretation of biochemical, cell-based functional, and binding assay data to identify lead compounds & contribute to understanding of potency & MoA
- Tracks and documents assay performance
- Continually provides recommendations to improve on process efficiency and research quality
- Responsible for documenting protocols in an electronic laboratory notebook and regularly presenting clear written & verbal data summaries
- Other duties as assigned
_Requirements:_
- BS/BA degree in scientific field and 2+ years of in vitro pharmacology experience; Preferred experience includes: primary cell culture, especially CNS, and related assay development, liquid handling automation and LIMS systems, GPCRs and related in vitro assays OR
- MS/MA degree in scientific field and some relevant industry experience OR
- PhD in biology or related field preferred and some experience with cell culture and cell-based in vitro assays, development and optimization of in vitro biological assays is required Preferred experience includes: primary cell culture, especially CNS, and related assay development, liquid handling automation and LIMS systems, GPCRs and related in vitro assays
- Collaborative and highly motivated
- Must be comfortable working with radioisotopes
- Working knowledge of primary cell culture, especially CNS, and related assay development, liquid handling automation and LIMS systems, GPCRs and related in vitro assays
- Embody Neurocrine’s core values of Passion, Collaboration, Tenacity, Innovation, and Integrity
- Practical experience with a broad range of _in vitro_ biological assays (including GPCRs, kinases, and ion channels) and tissue culture
- Outstanding experimental design, problem-solving, and data analysis skills
- Ability to effectively multitask and advance various projects simultaneously without compromising data quality or reproducibility
- Able to independently plan, perform and develop basic experiments
- Applies independent thinking to solve moderate problems
- Takes direction regarding experiments or lab processes and learns to apply independent thinking to suggest resolution to technical issues
- Selects appropriate methods and techniques in performing
- Experience using modern automation, inventory systems, data analysis and informatics systems is beneficial
- Experience with electrophysiology based assays is an added asset, but not essential
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment toward timely execution of shared team deliverables
- Enthusiasm for developing an expanding technical and theoretical knowledge base
- Excellent communication (written and verbal), time management, organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure operational excellence of daily laboratory needs
- Common Knowledge & Skills: Extensive experience in development, optimization and execution of a broad range of in vitro biological assays is essential, including GPCR, kinases and ion channels, preferably in the CNS space
- Ability to rapidly learn new assays, process data and meet deadlines
- Recognizes fundamental anomalies in data points and identifies issues in experiments / processes
- Good knowledge of scientific principles, methods and techniques
- Good knowledge and demonstrated ability working with a variety of laboratory equipment/tools
- Ability to work as part of a team with good communication, problem-solving & analytical thinking skills
- Detail oriented with strong computer skills
- Good communications, problem-solving, analytical thinking skills
- Good project management skills
