Current Vacancies
Senior Analytical Chemist (Ref AC-10)
25/02/2010
Cambridge Science Park
Core Role
Ensure efficient LCMS service for the chemistry department. Astex’s small molecule HPLC expert:
Routine maintenance of the chemistry department’s LCMS and Genevac;
Liaison with engineers for servicing and repair;
Optimisation of the equipment when changes of use required/ new consumables become available;
Support, education and advice for chemists with analytical and preparative LCMS;
Bespoke method creation and/ or assistance for difficult/ high volume samples;
Review new/ additional analytical technologies for their usefulness at Astex. Initially, this will be to review supercritical fluid chromatography as a chiral/ achiral preparative technique.
Supplementary Roles
Additional support for the chemistry department:
Run physical measurement assays according to project requirements including solubility, logP and pKa;
Involvement in fragment library maintenance and quality control;
Support for other departments:
To advise the DMPK department in the optimisation of separation and equipment maintenance as required. Additional support to be given according to the successful applicant’s skills and experience;
Potential for involvement in NMR analysis;
Potential for involvement in development of new biophysical methods.
Kindly send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this role by email to the below address or by post.
DMPK Team Leader (Ref TL-10)
03/02/2010
Cambridge Science Park
Astex Therapeutics is a world-leading UK based biotechnology company which has utilized fragment-based drug discovery to build an extensive pipeline, focusing on the oncology and anti-viral disease areas. Astex’s strong commitment to translational pharmacology, where an early understanding of PK/PD relationships has helped drive the selection of candidate molecules, has led to three compounds in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. With a view to building on this success two versatile and motivated DMPK scientists are required to support our drug discovery projects, in a non-GLP environment.
This role will require you to lead a small DMPK group at Astex as well as work within multi-discipline discovery project teams in lead optimisation guiding the design of compounds with optimal ADME properties. The ideal candidate will have an in depth understanding of ADME principles and PK interpretation having gained a high level of experimental competency in a range of relevant techniques, in particular LC-MS/MS based bioanalysis and in vitro methodologies. A proven record in metabolite profiling, as well as experience in developing new assays, would be highly desirable. A continued strong commitment to the hands on experimental science is essential and you will have an appropriate degree (or higher qualification).
Kindly send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this role by email to the below address or by post.
DMPK Scientist (Ref DMPK-10)
03/02/2010
Cambridge Science Park
Astex Therapeutics is a world-leading UK based biotechnology company which has utilized fragment-based drug discovery to build an extensive pipeline, focusing on the oncology and anti-viral disease areas. Astex’s strong commitment to translational pharmacology, where an early understanding of PK/PD relationships has helped drive the selection of candidate molecules, has led to three compounds in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. With a view to building on this success two versatile and motivated DMPK scientists are required to support our drug discovery projects, in a non-GLP environment.
The successful applicant will be responsible for pharmacokinetic and in vitro DMPK study design, implementation and analysis. Ideally experienced in sample preparation techniques, liquid chromatography method development and LC-MS/MS analytical methodologies, training will be provided where necessary. There is also an opportunity to develop DMPK interpretation skills. The successful applicant will be a team worker capable of consistent high performance in response to the fast moving pace of research. The position would suit a graduate with a relevant degree and some hands-on experience of DMPK-related techniques in an industrial or CRO setting.
Kindly send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this role by email to the below address or by post.
NMR Scientist (Ref NMR-10)
28/01/2010
Cambridge Science Park
Core Role
Participate in fragment screening using NMR and the follow-up of fragment hits against Astex protein targets:
Multi-dimensional NMR methods for investigating protein structure and dynamics, in particular in complexes with substrates and small molecules;
Expression and purification of 15N-, 13C- and 2H- labelled proteins;
Use of structural constraints (NOE, chemical shift) to guide docking;
1D ligand-detected NMR screening methods;
NMR data processing using in-house programs and third-party software (e.g. NMRPipe, MestreNova);
Use of other biophysical methods such as stopped-flow, ITC, DSC, SPR and other label-free methods to determine binding affinity, kinetics and provide mechanistic information;
Communicate results to internal and external scientists including structural biologists, chemists, computational chemists and assay biologists.
Supplementary Roles
Additional support for fragment library development and analytical NMR:
Interest in fragment-library design and characterisation of fragment interactions with protein targets;
Familiarity with small molecule NMR spectroscopy;
Development of novel biophysical methods and interpretation of thermodynamic data.
Kindly send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this role by email to the below address or by post.
Senior Cell Biologist (Ref CB-10)
28/01/2010
Cambridge Science Park
An opportunity exists for an experienced cell biologist to adopt an influential role in drug discovery.
This role is laboratory-based and the individual will use their understanding of cell biology to design and develop assays to evaluate lead compounds against novel cancer or anti-viral targets using a variety of techniques.
The role will best suit a creative scientist able to contribute via multidisciplinary project teams.
The ideal candidate for this position will be qualified to PhD level in cell biology or a related subject or have an equivalent level of experience, ideally gained in an industrial setting.
Kindly send your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience relevant to this role by email or post to the address below.
Salaries and benefits package are highly competitive to ensure we attract, motivate and retain the best candidates. Please send your application to:
Human Resources
Astex Therapeutics Ltd
436 Cambridge Science Park
Milton Road
Cambridge
CB4 0QA
UK
Or apply by e-mail to: HR@astex-therapeutics.com
Please note that Astex is unable to accept speculative applications for studentships or other internships via these contact addresses.