Title: EXP2- TM-TDDT - Lead Investigator(5-I)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Designation: Lead Investigator / Associate Director
Job Location: Bangalore
Department: TM-TDDT
About Syngene
Incorporated in 1993, Syngene International Ltd. is an innovation-focused global discovery, development and manufacturing organization providing integrated scientific services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutrition, animal health, consumer goods and specialty chemical industries around the world. Syngene’ s clientele includes world leaders such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Baxter, Amgen, GSK, Merck KGaA and Herbalife. Its innovative culture is driven by the passion of its 4240- strong team of scientists who work with clients from around the world to solve their scientific problems, improve R&D productivity, speed up time to market and lower the cost of innovation.
Job Purpose (1-2 Lines)
We are seeking a motivated PhD level scientist to join the Translational Medicine team at the Biocon Bristol Myers Squibb Research Center in Bangalore, India. Key responsibilities of this role are to serve as a key scientific lead and coordinator for the preclinical support of asset programs through mechanism of action-based studies, differentiation from standard of care and competitive therapeutics, combination rationale, new indications (life cycle management), and patient selection strategies. S/He will work directly with translational scientists, disease leaders within translational medicine, and will also interact with thematic research centers in early development within the company. In addition, guidance of laboratory scientists to generate data in support of clinical development decisions will be required.
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct preclinical/laboratory experiments on late stage BMS portfolio compounds to support annual goals and objectives for Translational Medicine (for internal /external, collaborations, compound specific plans etc).
• Responsible for delivering data in support of translational strategies including biomarkers, patient selection hypotheses, dose and schedule, combination strategies, resistance mechanisms and differentiation.
• Report directly to the head of the laboratory and manage laboratory scientists to integrate clinical questions into lab-based translational research internally and externally.
• Interfaces with TM scientists to ensure seamless flow of information for assets which are entering the remit of translational medicine.
• Manages and supervises a portfolio of preclinical collaborations on specific pipeline compounds or clinical assets.
• Assists in managing key strategic and/or collaborative projects along with TM scientists.
• Communicates regularly and prepares and makes presentations within the department, externally and to senior management as required.
• Reports experimental finding in written nonclinical pharmacology study reports, to support regulatory filings.
• Assists in setup and maintenance of group budget and personnel plan
Educational Qualification:
• PhD or MD/PhD with at least 10 years of relevant work experience following training. Experience across immunology, oncology, heme-oncology focus areas including drug development in an industry setting, especially hematology indications is a plus.
Technical Skills:
• Strong publication record and track record in large and/or small companies, leading innovative efforts within the laboratory setting to achieve defined goals and support clinical development
• Excellent communication, managerial and scientific qualities are expected
• Ability to interact effectively across boundaries using influencing and relationship building skills.
• Competence in analysis and solving of problems, and the ability to prioritize and make tradeoffs to achieve goals.
• Understanding of relevant disease biology, clinical landscape, evolving technologies, competitive scenario
• Cell culture, primary cell isolation, cell transfection
• Proficiency in gene expression methods including qRT-PCR and/or familiarity with RNA sequencing, epigenomic methods including ATAC-seq ChiP-seq,
• Protein analyses and immunoassays, and cell phenotyping analysis
• Familiarity with design, setup and execution of autoimmune, solid tumor oncology or heme-oncology in vivo pharmacology models is a plus.
• Obtain relevant information from published literature, both internal and external. Apply information gathered to solve complex scientific questions and help study data interpretation.
• Maintain a good understanding of the methodological basis and biological significance of assays performed.
• Forecast potential issues regarding support of assays for current and long term projects.
• Devise strategic solutions to identified and potential hurdles/issues; efficiently and proactively troubleshoot technical and experimental problems.
Priority focus areas and skillsets to complement existing group:
1. Hematology / Heme-Oncology across multiple disease areas of interest including Myeloma, Lymphoma, CLL, AML, MDS, anemias and other hematological malignancies. Specific areas include (but won’t be limited to) mechanism of action-based studies, differentiation from standard of care molecules, combination rationale and resistance mechanisms. The candidate must have a deep understanding of oncogenic signaling pathways with excellent laboratory technical skills in areas of cell and molecular biology, and/or linked in vivo pharmacology.
2. Immunology / Autoimmune disease / Immuno-oncology / Heme-oncology across multiple disease indications, with expertise in molecular, cellular and genomic techniques pertaining to immune cell populations in disease. Hands-on experience in in vivo pharmacology, and ability to work closely with associate scientists across groups is a big plus. Specific areas of focus include (but won’t be limited to) differentiation from standard of care molecules, and combination rationale across a subset of disease indications.
Experience:
10 years
Behavioral Skills:
• Strong commitment towards work and a high level of dedication, enthusiasm, and motivation.
• Good speaking-listening-writing skills, attention to detail, proactive self-starter.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of Syngene to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable legislation or local law. In addition, Syngene will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.