Biological Scientist III

Classification Title:

Biological Scientist III

Job Description:

Exciting opportunity to work in a combined in vitro pharmacology – medicinal chemistry drug discovery lab and advance small molecules toward new investigational drugs. Research in the PI’s lab seeks to implement improved in vitro cell based systems to better predict human drug efficacy by advancing receptor target-based platforms using receptor-specific and selective ligands and mechanistic pharmacology approaches to understand drug mode of action (e.g. kinetics, allosterism). This position is for a Biological Scientist III to conduct biomedical research in the department of Pharmacodynamics with opportunity to collaborate with medicinal chemists and behavior pharmacologists in the department to advance hit-to-lead small molecules to in vivo efficacy. The position also involves being part of a multidisciplinary team external to UF and working with a contract research organization (CRO) to evaluate novel compounds synthesized by the CRO in receptor signaling assays, maintaining a database and reporting structure-activity data.

Duties include:

• Execute cell-based assays in 384-well format by testing compound and/or peptide activities against receptor target of interest in time-resolved fluorescence energy transfer assays, luminescence signaling, calcium flux, and transwell migration assays and quantifying compound affinity and efficacy in concentration-response using excel and GraphPad prism.
• Develop additional secondary and tertiary molecular pharmacology assays including florescence, luminesce and label-free based cell assays in overexpressed cell line and endogenously expressing cell lines. Conduct cell culture of cell lines.
• Perform compound management. Maintain compound database linking compound structure with assay activities; Manage data and protocols; Present data in written and oral format to Pharmacodynamics group, Medicinal Chemistry collaborators and investor group; Maintain daily laboratory, manage safety protocols and ordering of supplies; Other duties as assigned.

Expected Salary:

$50,000-$65,000, commensurate with education and experience

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in biology or a closely related field and seven years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree in biology or a closely related field and five years of relevant experience; Doctoral degree in biology or a closely related field and two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with culturing human cell lines. Technical experience with working and programming instruments such as dispensers and plate readers. Expertise in performing pharmacological dose-response and structure-activity studies in a high-throughput screening mode is preferred. Attention to detail. Previous work with statistical analysis, graphing software and compound databases is highly desirable.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume, and list of references.

This is a time-limited position.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

The University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, strives to stimulate a culture that promotes diversity and inclusion within an exceptional community of students, faculty and staff. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to developing leaders who respect, support and have a positive impact on all individuals.

Health Assessment Required: No