Principal Scientist – Cancer Epigenetics
May 18, 2018 - June 19, 2018
Pfizer Oncology Research & Development (ORD) in La Jolla, California, is seeking a Principal Scientist focused on translating basic discoveries in the field of cancer epigenetics into novel therapeutics.
Our ideal candidate will lead a team of motivated and scientifically rigorous scientists to perform laboratory-based research in a collaborative team environment. The candidate will lead biological target validation, utilizing genetic and pharmacological approaches to discover and confirm candidates for novel cancer therapeutics. As a member of the group, you will also be involved in mechanism-of-action studies, interpretation and presentation of data, and will function as an integral member of the team to advance new targets. The successful candidate will have experience in the integration of molecular profiling data including epigenomic (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq), transcriptomic, proteomic, and genomic datasets, into a broader understanding of epigenetic regulation within the tumor and interactions between the tumor and the tumor microenvironment.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead a laboratory research group to study genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in tumor biology with the aim to identify new therapeutic targets that can be translated to the clinic
- Utilize expertise in epigenetic biology to design, execute, and analyze/interpret innovative approaches for epigenetic targeting in cancer.
- Work collaboratively with computational biology group to integrate complex data sets including epigenomic and other ‘omic’ data in pre-clinical settings for target discovery, validation, and advance mechanism of action target biology
- Lead development of cell and molecular assays to define mechanism of action, measure pharmacodynamic changes and select responder patient populations.
- Interface with discovery biology and computational biology groups to design, develop, and interpret datasets developed from genetic and pharmacological screens
- Develop and apply complex in vitro assays including organoids to enable target discovery, validation and drug development.
- Proactively seek out new information in the literature and incorporate this into individual project(s) as well as the overall program.
- Present research results and methodologies at weekly meetings with immediate supervisor and/or project leader, and at meetings with members of the oncology research unit as appropriate.
- Contribute to building a culture that embraces scientific excellence, urgency, partnerships with key stakeholders, continuous learning and improvement, increasing technical skill base and cancer biology expertise; take a proactive role in personal growth and scientific development.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Molecular Biology, Pharmacology (or a comparable biological science) plus post doc and 4+ years of relevant experience in an academic or pharmaceutical/biotech environment.
- Expertise in chromatin biology, epigenetics and mechanism of transcriptional regulation as evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in areas of tumor biology including, but not limited to immune oncology, oncogenic signaling, cancer metabolism, apoptosis and/or DNA damage and repair
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of software tools to support epigenomic data analysis including ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq.
- Experience in use of CRISPR-based techniques for gene knockout, gene editing and as well as working knowledge of pooled CRISPR -based screening approaches
- Able to work in a team environment, good communication skills and excellent leaderships skills.
- Experience managing scientists
Preferred Qualifications
- Preference for candidates with a strong track record in cancer drug discovery and the targeting of epigenetic pathways by small-molecule inhibitors.