AddressLaboratory Support Scientist (Recombinant Protein Expression & Purification)
Job title: Laboratory Support Scientist (Recombinant Protein Expression & Purification)
Grade: Scientist I
Job type: Full-time
Location: Oxford
Salary: Competitive salary
Right to work: You must have the right to work in the UK
Application deadline: April 05th 2024
Application submission: CV and cover letter via our website www.omass.com/working-here/
OMass Therapeutics is a biotechnology company based in Oxford discovering medicines against highly- validated target ecosystems, such as membrane proteins or intracellular complexes. The company’s unique OdyssION™ technology platform comprises novel biochemistry techniques, next-generation native mass spectrometry, and custom chemistry. OMass is advancing a pipeline of small molecule therapeutics in rare diseases and immunological conditions, that target solute carriers, complex-bound proteins, and GPCRs.
We are looking for a Support Scientist with experience in Recombinant Protein Expression and purification from bacteria, insect and mammalian cells. You will play a key role in establishing robust workflows for large-scale grow-ups of insect/mammalian and bacterial cultures for our protein production pipeline and play a supporting role in down-stream protein purification. Furthermore, you will ensure a productive working space by stock keeping and ordering, and making sure general lab space is in good working condition. You will also be a key asset in supporting a dynamic and innovative team and will become an integral part of our vision to address patients ’unmet needs while building Britain’s Biggest Biotech. You will use your expertise and scientific curiosity to solve drug discovery challenges, as part of multi-disciplinary project teams. You will be able to work in state-of-the-art laboratory and modern facilities for optimum collaboration alongside a focused and caring team.
You will already possess significant experience with large scale expression technologies to support industry workflows and will leverage this knowledge to expand the capabilities for Protein Expression at OMass Therapeutics.
To find out more about the meaningful work OMass delivers, as well as our EVP please consult https://www.omass.com/
Essential Experience, Skills and Qualities
- A minimum of BSc in Biology, Biotechnology or related field and 2-3 years postgraduate experience or equivalent.
- Extensive practical experience in sterile culturing techniques and recombinant expression systems (insect, mammalian, prokaryotic).
- Extensive practical experience in protein purification and quality control.
- Good working knowledge of purification systems such as AKTA.
- Robust skills in standard molecular biology techniques, such as generation, handling and amplification of plasmids.
- Fundamental knowledge of biochemical techniques, such as buffer and media preparation for expression and purification.
- Ability to work flexibly within a team as well as being highly self-motivated and work independently.
- Demonstrates good problem-solving skills to overcome technical challenges.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills as well as the ability to work to strict deadlines.
- Experience in maintaining and reordering consumable stocks related to expression technologies.
- Good record keeping (ELN).
- Innovative and ambitious mindset, with an inquisitive and agile approach to problem-solving and overcoming technical challenges; motivated to continuously learn and take on challenges.
- Caring and inclusive; respectful and receptive to others’ diverse ideas, experience and perspectives, and enjoys working collaboratively with others as a team.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Preferred Experience and Skills
- Previous exposure to large-scale protein production and purification workflows in a pharmaceutical/Biotech laboratory.
- Experience with suspension cultures of mammalian/insect cells.
- Experience with Baculo- /BacMam or Lentiviral expression systems.
- Experience with large-scale transient transfection methods (eg. PEI mediated).
Role Responsibilities
- Purification of tool proteins (TEV, 3C, SUMO protease etc).
- Purification of soluble proteins following established protocols for different downstream applications including MS analysis and structure determination.
- Generate Bacmids and produce DNA amplifications for large scale transfection (Giga Preps).
- Generate Baculo/BacMam viral stocks and carry out virus amplifications for large scale-ups.
- The successful candidate will be responsible for the maintenance of tissue culture cell lines used for recombinant expression in mammalian cells (HEK293F/S) and insect cells (Sf9).
- Ensure proper record-keeping of cell culture passage numbers and stocks and archiving of the plasmid collection.
- Coordinate with protein biochemists to perform routine scale-ups (liter-scale) of bacteria mammalian and insect cells for Protein Expression.
- Harvest large scale suspension cultures and keep records of frozen cell pellets.
- Maintain stocks of competent cells (bacterial expression and cloning strains, such as BL21, DH5a and DH10Bac, WK6) for cloning, bacterial Protein Expression and Bacmid production.
- Prepare and sterilise media and supplement antibiotics for large bacterial grow-ups and selection plates.
- Carry out regular cleaning of biosafety cabinets, tissue culture incubators and water baths in the tissue culture facility.
- Run the autoclave and dishwasher to support glassware cleaning and sterilization.
- Support the general lab workflows by ordering sufficient stocks of media, flasks and other general lab consumables.
- Maintain detailed laboratory records.
- Share information openly and work collaboratively with other departments to help advance different projects and achieve company goals.
- Promote and adhere to OMass’ values of being Ambitious, Responsible, Innovative, Focused, Caring and Collaborative.
OMass Benefits
OMass offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Private Health Insurance
- Health and wellbeing cashback scheme
- Life Assurance and Income Protection
- Participation in Employee Equity Scheme
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Pension Scheme offering 6% employer contribution
- Learning and Development Opportunities
- Company social events
Any queries relating to the role can be sent to jobs@omass.com.
OMass Therapeutics values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity, we also have full responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to work and live in the UK.
