Scientist

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Scientist for a contract assignment with one of our premier Pharmaceutical services clients in South San Francisco, CA.

Responsibilities :
This position is in the Investigative Toxicology Group within the department of Safety Assessment in the firm's Research and Early Development organization. The mission of the Investigative Toxicology group is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying toxicities that are observed non-clinically and/or in clinical trials through hypothesis driven research. This process involves closely collaborating with scientists across the organization to support the overall safety assessment for our novel therapeutics spanning drug discovery through clinical development and marketing. The group provides fit-for-purpose wet lab-based investigation to address target safety assessment, lead optimization, and issue mitigation by employing state-of-the-science in vitro and ex vivo approaches. As such, we are constantly establishing new platforms and technologies to support a dynamic portfolio, novel modalities, and emerging therapeutic area needs. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to work in collaboration with other researchers in the Investigative Toxicology lab. This individual must have experience in cell culture and will be responsible for: culturing and expanding primary cells and cell lines for in vitro screenings, treating and performing assays to assess cytotoxicity and metabolic changes of cells, capturing cell culture images using confocal and high content imaging. This individual will be working with cells from a broad range of tissues (e.g., liver, lung, biliary, ocular) and is expected to make detailed observations related to experiments, perform, analyze data, and interpret results. They will contribute with scientific insights and also work in projects related to peer review publications. The individual will also participate in projects related to the development of novel in vitro platforms/approaches to support toxicity testing for our drug discovery program.

• Use ex vivo and in vitro tools to assess safety liabilities and mechanisms of toxicities observed pre-clinically to support the entire portfolio spanning discovery through development.
• Performing, qualifying and implementing biological assays and technologies to support the Investigative Toxicology group.
• Contribute to ongoing efforts to understand the impact of organ-on-chip platforms in hazard identification and liability assessment.
• This is an ideal position for a researcher who is enthusiastic about learning and contributing to projects with a broad range of techniques.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods.
• Performing repetitive tasks such as cell culture, pipetting and labeling tubes.
• Collaboration across the Investigative Toxicology team and with key stakeholders.
• Work with potentially hazardous materials including (but not limited to): chemotherapeutics, biological hazards, and human primary cells.

Required Skills:

• Bachelors (BS/BA) in pharmacology, pharmaceutical science, biology, bioengineering, chemistry, physiology, or related discipline is required.
• 1-3+ years of laboratory experience with hypothesis-driven research.
• Ability to analyze, integrate, and present data in a presentation is required.
• Experience with complex in-vitro model systems is highly desired.
• Provide scientific and technical support to assays and platforms supported by the Investigative Toxicology group by:
  • Performing experiments involving immortalized and primary cell culture, cell viability assessment, ELISAs, gene expression analysis, high content screening, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. Experience with these methodologies is desirable but not required.
• Maintaining documentation related to protocol execution and results.
• Writing protocols and contributing to final reports as appropriate.
• Adhering to departmental SOPs to ensure study integrity and quality.
• Conducting experiments with a high level of independence and initiative.
• Performing tasks with minimal direct supervision for routine methods and studies commonly employed by the team.
• As such the position requires excellent communication and collaboration skills, a desire to learn about and integrate multiple aspects of drug toxicity, and a passion for lab-based research.

Preferred Skills:

• Masters (MS) degree is desirable, but not required.
• Experience with immortalized and/or primary cell culture, cell viability assessment, ELISAs, gene expression analysis, high content screening, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry is highly desired.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.

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