Senior Scientist, Biophysics

Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company's Native Complex Platform recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.

We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.

We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

For more information see: www.septerna.com.

The Role:

This role will help build and contribute to a world class quantitative biophysics group in Septerna's Discovery Biology Department. The successful candidate will leverage their deep expertise in label-free biophysical measurements to contribute to the advancement of Septerna's small molecule GPCR drug discovery portfolio and help to evolve our unique platform. They will assist in departmental function from the bench and help identify/evaluate/acquire new technologies, implement label-free approaches into our drug discovery teams, champion external partnerships and work collaboratively to advance Septerna's platform. The candidate will play an active role in defining screening strategies (including library characterization/acquisition), characterizing small molecule mechanisms of action, designing/qualifying GPCR protein reagents and more. The candidate will also work closely with Septerna's proprietary platform technologies to support/lead continual innovation of our approach. Effective leadership skills will be critical to build strong relationships with internal and external collaborators, and to help shape the future direction and structure of the group.

Qualifications

This position requires a PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry or a related quantitative field with at least 2+ years of experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical setting working with small molecule drug discovery project teams applying biophysical concepts. MS/BS qualified candidates with at least 8+ years of comparable working experience are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience performing mid-high throughput label-free experiments on integral membrane proteins to support hit validation, characterization of mechanism of action and determination of binding affinities/kinetic rates for ligand-target interactions.

Requirements

• Extensive experience with at least one quantitative biophysical technique (SPR, GCI, ITC, DSF, etc) to assess binding affinity and kinetic parameters of small molecule ligands.
• Demonstrated expertise in defining and supporting hit finding strategies, characterizing protein reagents for biochemical studies and compound screens, validating hit compounds and characterizing their mechanism of action.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively as a member of drug discovery teams to influence strategy from early target identification to clinical candidate selection.
• A quantitative and analytical mindset with experience applying rigorous data analysis techniques and ability to integrate results with drug discovery activities.
• Experience working with solubilized or reconstituted membrane proteins, detergents and lipids (GPCRs a plus).
• Familiarity with affinity-selection approaches for hit finding and corresponding analysis of large datasets.
• Experience mentoring direct reports and junior team members (including scientists as commensurate with experience).

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $140,000 - $150,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Note to Employment Agencies: Please do not forward any agency resumes. The company will not be responsible for any fees related to resumes that are unsolicited.