Trainee Biomedical Scientist jobs in East London

COMPANY & ROLE OVERVIEW

Kodiform Therapeutics is a discovery-stage spin-out from the Institute of Cancer Research and the University of Oxford, based on the pioneering research of our Founders, Professors Terry Rabbitts and Angela Russell. We develop small-molecule inhibitors of hard-to-drug proteins, including intrinsically disordered proteins, using our intracellular domain antibody (iDAb) platform. Our technology finds new functional binding sites on these proteins and opens new routes to target them with small molecules. We are based at the Scale Space science Innovation Hub in White City, London.

The role. We are looking for an experienced cell biologist with substantial hands-on experience in medium- to high-throughput screening of small molecules to join our small, multidisciplinary laboratory team. Working hand in hand with colleagues in pharmacology and on the iDAb platform, you will develop, optimise and run robust, automation-ready assays, mostly cell-based but also biochemical (e.g. HTRF). These assays underpin both the functional validation of our intracellular antibodies and the screening and characterisation of small-molecule binders/libraries. You will apply your expertise in cell and molecular biology to design, execute and interpret experiments, and you will play a key role in building our screening and R&D capabilities.

You will ideally already have a broad understanding of the drug discovery process, acquired preferably in a biotech or pharma setting, with strong hands-on experience in assay development, optimisation and QC preferably for medium/high throughput screens lab automation and small-molecule screening, as well as target validation and target engagement/mechanism-of-action studies. You are organised, keep meticulous records and are an effective team player, keen to share your expertise with colleagues and to contribute to our inclusive company culture.

We offer a competitive salary and pension.

PURPOSE & MISSION

This role will deliver robust, screening-ready assays and high-quality screening data to support Kodiform's intracellular antibody (iDAb) platform and small-molecule discovery programmes. The postholder will independently, or under guidance develop, optimise, miniaturise and run assays, mostly cell-based (e.g. reporter gene, BRET/NanoBRET, high-content imaging) as well as biochemical formats such as HTRF/TR-FRET. These assays will be used to functionally validate newly identified iDAbs in cells and to screen, triage and profile small molecules. The data generated will drive hit identification, hit validation and progression decisions across our programmes.

DIMENSIONS & STAKEHOLDERS

Line manager - TBD.

Scientists team: cell biology/pharmacology and protein sciences colleagues

Interact with suppliers of reagents, cell lines, assay kits and consumables, as well as lab-automation collaborators, managers of shared facilities and service engineers.

Kodiform Laboratory Manager and Biological Safety Officer: laboratory operations, equipment, genetic modification (GM), biosafety and COSHH compliance.

No direct reports and no budget responsibility; you may help train colleagues on screening workflows and equipment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Small molecules / iDAbs screening

• Plan and run medium- to high-throughput small-molecule screening campaigns end to end (primary screen, hit confirmation, dose-response and counter-screens) in 96- to 1536-well formats.
• Set up, programme and run lab automation: prepare compounds for acoustic compound dispensing (e.g. Echo), liquid and cell dispensers/handlers, plate washers and multimode plate readers.
• Prepare and manage assay-ready compound plates, dilution series, plate maps and associated metadata.
• Monitor screen performance using plate QC metrics and apply agreed acceptance criteria.
• Analyse and interpret screening data (curve fitting, IC50/EC50).
• Develop and run iDAb-guided screening assays, e.g. cellular BRET or biochemical HTRF competition/displacement formats.

Assay development

• Independently or with guidance design, develop and optimise cell-based assays to functionally validate newly identified iDAbs, including intracellular expression, target binding, functional readouts, and mechanism-of-action studies (e.g. downstream signalling,): reporter assay, BRET/NanoBRET protein-protein interaction, RT-qPCR gene expression, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, proliferation assays.
• Generate and characterise engineered cell models: transient and stable (including inducible) expression of iDAbs and tagged targets by lentiviral transduction, CRISPR knock-out/knock-in and shRNA knock-down, clonal selection and validation (e.g. Western blot, RT-qPCR, imaging).
• Develop biochemical assays as primary or orthogonal formats, e.g. HTRF/TR-FRET, AlphaLISA or fluorescence polarisation, using recombinant proteins and iDAbs from the protein science team.
• Miniaturise assays and transfer them from the bench to automated 384/1536-well formats.
• Manage cell lines for screening: cell culture maintenance, mycoplasma testing, and scale-up of cell production, including assay-ready frozen cells.

General

• Keep meticulous records in line with company data-integrity standards, with screening data, plate maps and analyses stored in organised, traceable formats using the company ELN and database.
• Write SOPs and assay validation reports suitable for routine use or transfer to CROs.
• Communicate results at team meetings and in short written reports.
• Propose improvements to protocols, workflows and automation, and proactively suggest new assays and technologies.
• Be an effective member of our laboratory team and contribute to the efficient running of the lab. This includes health and safety compliance (GM contained use, Containment Level 2, COSHH) and care of shared equipment, including automation platforms, as well as contributions to lab housekeeping and maintenance of reagent stocks.

SKILLS

Essential

• Substantial hands-on experience in medium/high-throughput small-molecule screening, ideally in an industry setting, including running campaigns from primary screen to dose-response confirmation.
• Proven expertise in developing, optimising, miniaturising and validating cell-based assays for HTS (e.g. reporter gene, BRET/NanoBRET, viability, imaging-based) in 384/1536-well formats.
• Hands-on experience with biochemical assay formats, e.g. HTRF/TR-FRET, AlphaScreen/AlphaLISA or fluorescence polarisation.
• Practical experience with lab automation for screening: liquid handlers and multimode plate readers, including method set-up and troubleshooting.
• Sound knowledge of assay QC and statistics for HTS and of common sources of assay interference and false positives.
• Experience analysing and interpreting dose-response curves (curve fitting, IC50/EC50) using appropriate software (e.g. GraphPad Prism, in built-Dotmatics screening protocols).
• Advanced cellular and molecular biology techniques for target validation and cellular target engagement/mechanism-of-action studies, such as stable cell line generation (lentiviral transduction, shRNA), RT-qPCR, Western blot, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.
• Excellent aseptic technique and experience of large-scale mammalian cell culture to support screening.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workload and meet project timelines.

Desirable

• RNA seq data analysis
• High-content imaging and image analysis
• Experience with CRISPR gene editing
• Using electronic lab notebooks, LIMS, compound management or inventory systems.
• Scripting or data-visualisation skills for screening data analysis (e.g. Python, R, Spotfire)

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

• Team player.
• Highly organised, collaborative, detail-oriented approach.
• Meticulous record-keeping and commitment to scientific integrity and safe working.
• Problem-solving, data-driven mindset, with the ability to deliver decision-making data to timelines.
• Willing to learn and asks for help early when blocked.
• Enthusiasm to work in a dynamic research environment where priorities can change.

Desirable

• Proactive in suggesting improvements to methods, workflows and automation.
• Confident communicating with external partners and suppliers.
• Keen to share expertise and train colleagues on screening workflows and equipment.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g. cell biology, cancer biology, pharmacology or a closely related discipline) with 2+ years of relevant laboratory experience in industry/biotech; or an MSc/BSc in a relevant discipline with 4+ years of substantial relevant laboratory experience in industry/biotech.
• Experience in a biotech, pharma or CRO screening environment, contributing to hit-finding campaigns.
• General understanding of the drug discovery process, from target validation and hit identification to hit-to-lead, and of how assay data drive decision making and compound progression.

Desirable

• Knowledge of antibody structure, intracellular expression systems.
• Experience working on transcription factors, protein-protein interactions or intrinsically disordered proteins.
• Experience transferring assays to and interacting with CROs.

Pay: £32,000.00-£48,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• London W12 7RZ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Please explain how your skill set would be a good match to this position at Kodiform.

Experience:

• Laboratory: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person