Senior Scientist
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215
- Mar 22, 2025
Job Description
Overview
https://fischerlab.dana-farber.org/
The Fischer Lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a Structural and Chemical Biology lab that combines molecular biology, computational biology, structural biology and chemistry with various ‘Omics’ techniques such as proteomics to study the pathways and protein complexes involved in the regulation of protein abundance via the ubiquitin proteasome system that are often associated with human diseases, including cancer. The Fischer lab integrates structural biology, molecular biology and computational guided approaches to address fundamental questions about the mechanistic principles that govern signaling through the ubiquitin proteasome system.
The Fischer Lab (https://fischerlab.org/) seeks a highly motivated individual to join the team as a SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST and project manager who will lead and contribute to projects focused on drug discovery. The role will include project management, study coordination and management across multiple collaborative groups within and outside of Dana-Farber, design and implementation of experiments as well as coordination of contract research organizations. While we consider various backgrounds, a background in biochemistry and chemical biology and experience in small molecule drug discovery and development as part of a matrixed organization and the desire to tackle a major problem of great significance are essential.
Our laboratory is based at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Longwood Center and is an affiliate of the BCMP department at Harvard Medical School. We are affiliated with state-of-the-art facilities for structural biology (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR), chemistry, biophysics, cellular imaging, etc. and the lab also has expertise and equipment for mass spectrometry including timsTOF and Orbitrap tribrid mass spectrometers. Join our highly interactive team of scientists, postdocs, graduate students and technicians to work on understand signaling through the ubiquitin proteasome pathway and leverage these insights to test new avenues for therapeutic development.
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute brings together world-renowned clinicians, innovative researchers and dedicated professionals, allies in the common mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. Combining extremely talented people with the best technologies in a genuinely positive environment, we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all ages; we conduct research that advances treatment; we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers; we reach out to underserved members of our community; and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Responsibilities
- Independently plan, manage, and perform experiments and projects. Develop project proposals, timelines and resource needs. Monitor milestones and ensure deliverables are completed on time.
- Works to develop and evaluate new methods and biochemical assay systems and workflows to increase efficiency across projects.
- Independently plan and perform purification strategies for recombinant proteins and protein complexes from insect, mammalian or bacterial cells.
- Coordinate and support the needs of multiple small molecule drug discovery projects.
- Collect and analyze experimental data and identify next steps based on outcomes
- Train research technicians and other scientific staff in methods/techniques and supervise on specific projects.
- Communicate project deliverables to the leaders across the group, and other senior governance groups when necessary.
- Track project progress – work with scientific leaders to proactively address issues and help implement accelerators.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts to enhance productivity
- Interact and liaise with internal experts, external experts, academic groups, and CROs to establish and direct collaborations and projects.
- Responsible for preparing and delivering scientific presentations and publications as necessary.
- Maintain clear and accurate records of experimental work (e.g., experimental methods, results/findings).
Qualifications
- PhD degree in biochemistry, chemical biology or a related discipline with at least 4 years of relevant experience.
- Experience in assay development (in-vitro and cellular).
- Strong experience in protein biochemistry, protein purification and biophysical characterization.
- Experience in recombinant protein (and protein complex) expression and purification in bacterial, insect and/or mammalian cells
- Must possess excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven track record of publications in peer reviewed journals reflecting scientific drive.
- Ability to collect and analyze experimental data, prepare research publications and communicate results.
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills. Strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative and team environment.
- Ability to collect and analyze experimental data, prepare research publications and communicate results.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other groups as protected by law.
The Opportunity to Change a Life Begins with Dana-Farber!
Four Time Award Winner!
With a career at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, you play an important role in helping to fulfill our mission and ultimate goal: the eradication of cancer and related diseases. We are ranked as one of the nation's best midsize employers and offer exciting jobs and careers to match your skills, interests, and passions.
The mission of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is to provide expert, compassionate care to children and adults with cancer while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases.
As an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute, the Institute also provides training for new generations of physicians and scientists, designs programs that promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations, and disseminates innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries to our target community across the United States and throughout the world.