Senior/Principal Research Associate, Protein Sciences

At Lyterian Therapeutics, we are committed to developing medicines for patients in need by co-opting physiologically-relevant protein homeostatic mechanisms to regulate genetically-validated targets.
 
As Senior/Principal Research Associate, Protein Sciences you will be responsible for producing high quality protein and protein complex reagents relevant to our protein homeostasis drug discovery platform to support downstream structural, biophysical and biochemical assays and mechanism of action studies. In addition, you will establish and maintain our in-house mammalian/insect cell expression systems for recombinant protein production. By collaborating closely with protein biochemists, structural biologists, biophysicists, and molecular biologists, you will help define the fundamental biology behind chemically-induced protein homeostasis.
 
We look for team members who are inspired by our mission and want to work in a collaborative, rigorous, and entrepreneurial environment. We seek colleagues who are self-motivated, innovative, proactive, and possess an innate curiosity to discover novel biology and new drugs. Efficient time management, excellent organizational and communication skills, and passion for high-quality, translational science are essential.

Impact You'll Make:

• Establish and maintain mammalian and insect cell lines for in-house recombinant protein production

• Design, express, and purify recombinant proteins using a variety of host systems (ex: E. coli, insect, mammalian cells) to enable HTP screening and structural/ biophysical characterization of challenging protein targets

• Independently execute in vitro and in vivo protein production workflows that can be used internally or transferred to external (CRO) resources as needed

• Perform downstream analytics on purified protein lots to evaluate and optimize protein stability, solubility, and purity

• Register protein lots in an internal protein database

• Learn state-of-the-art structural (including cryo-EM and crystallography) and biophysical techniques (including SPR and Spectral Shift) to characterize target proteins and complexes

• Collaborate and communicate across a diverse scientific team in coordinating protein production pipelines to successfully progress Lyterian goals

• Present experimental work at cross-functional program team meetings

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline with 1-6 years of relevant (academic or industrial) experience, or MS degree with 0-4 years of experience.

• Proven expertise in tissue culture (insect cell or mammalian cell) for recombinant protein expression

• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques, including construct design, bacterial transformations, cloning, and plasmid purification

• Strong background in protein purification using liquid chromatography (e.g. AKTA, HPLC/MS), affinity-based and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)

• Experience utilizing analytical techniques (DSF, DLS, mass photometry) to characterize and optimize protein purification and expression conditions is considered a plus

• Ability to keep detailed and organized records of experimental protocols and results in an electronic lab notebook

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently, communicate clearly, work within departmental groups, and to build open and collaborative relationships

• An interest in understanding protein structure and function relationships, protein-protein or protein-ligand binding interactions and enzyme mechanisms related to protein homeostasis drug discovery

• Initiative and boldness to dive into a fast-paced new startup

$84,000 - $120,000 a year
We encourage candidates of all levels to apply as there is often flexibility on job title and responsibilities. Compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity and location. Lyterian offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, significant equity, and a generous benefits package including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for our employees and their families, plus a 401K match.
At Lyterian, we believe that a diverse, open, and inclusive environment and culture is key to our success.  We will not be influenced in recruiting, hiring, promoting or any other employment practices by race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical or genetic condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. Lyterian will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws.