Investigator, Encoded Library Technology Chemistry

Come join the GSK team located at the GSK Discovery @ Cambridge site in the Alewife area!! GSK has a world leading DNA-Encoded Library Technology (ELT) drug discovery platform that provides access to broad chemical diversity for GSK drug discovery programs through affinity selections. The success of ELT relies heavily on the collection of DNA-Encoded Libraries (DELs), and on this front we are seeking a chemist that will contribute to DNA-compatible reaction development, DEL design and synthesis, and other aspects of ELT chemistry. In addition to expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, we will also be looking for a candidate that displays excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills/potential.

Key responsibilities include :

• Design and synthesize new DNA encoded libraries within desirable chemical space.
  
• Propose, explore, and optimize new on-DNA chemistries.
  
• Propose new scaffolds for synthesis and incorporation into DELs.
  
• Contribute to the identification and implementation of innovative technologies that help grow the platform.
  
• Analyze, interpret, and report experimental results in ELT team and site-wide meetings.
  
• Maintain detailed records of experiments in electronic lab notebooks in accordance with company policy.
  
• Share in responsibilities to support general lab functions.
  
• Contribute to the writing and conceptual framework of publications, presentations, and patents.
  
• Establish and maintain a detailed knowledge of literature related to areas of research.
  

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• Bachelors with 10 years of synthetic chemistry experience, Masters with 5 years or PhD in Chemistry
  
• Experience with synthetic chemistry; knowledgeable in the application of new synthetic methodology and execution of multi-step syntheses and demonstrated problem-solving abilities
  

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Familiarity with DNA-encoded library technology (ELT) platforms being used in academic, biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
  
• Experience in the development and/or application of DNA-compatible chemistry or parallel solution phase chemistry.
  
• Experience with automated chemistry platforms.
  
• Experience with informatics tools for managing large data sets (e.g. Spotfire, Vortex, Python).
  
• Basic understanding of the early stage aspects of medicinal chemistry and the importance of compound quality (MW, cLogP, etc.).
  
• Demonstrated ability to critically review and effectively communicate scientific data. Able to influence outside of core area of expertise.
  
• Self-motivated with an ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary matrix environment.
  
• Strong record of peer reviewed publications, patents, or presentations.
  
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a focus on quality results.
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  

Why GSK?

Our values and expectationsare at the heart of everything we do and form an important part of our culture. These include Patient focus, Transparency, Respect, Integrity along with Courage, Accountability, Development, and Teamwork. As GSK focuses on our values and expectations and a culture of innovation, performance, and trust, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities:

• Operating at pace and agile decision-making - using evidence and applying judgement to balance pace, rigour and risk.
  
• Committed to delivering high quality results, overcoming challenges, focusing on what matters, execution.
  
• Continuously looking for opportunities to learn, build skills and share learning.
  
• Sustaining energy and well-being
  
• Building strong relationships and collaboration, honest and open conversations.
  
• Budgeting and cost-consciousness
  

For further information see the following references :

Clark et al. Design, Synthesis and Selection of DNA-Encoded Small-Molecule Libraries. Nat. Chem. Biol. 2009, 5 , 647-654.

Arico-Muendel. From haystack to needle: finding value with DNA encoded library technology at GSK. MedChemComm 2016, 7 , 1898-1909. DOI:10.1039/c6md00341A

Machutta & Kollmann et al. Prioritizing multiple therapeutic targets in parallel using automated DNA-encoded library screening. Nat. Commun . 2017, 8 , 16081. DOI:10.1038/ncomms16081

Phelan et al. Open-Air Alkylation Reactions in Photoredox-Catalyzed DNA-Encoded Library Synthesis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 8, 3723-3732. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b00669

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in the US, we adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK's compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit GSK's Transparency Reporting For the Record site.