Who are we?

Flagship Pioneering has conceived of and created companies such as Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA), Editas Medicine (NASDAQ: EDIT), Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Indigo Agriculture. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures. In 2021, Flagship Pioneering was ranked 12th globally on Fortune's "Change the World" list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies.

Founded by Flagship Pioneering in 2018, Empress Therapeutics pioneers a new paradigm for small molecule drug discovery based on an untapped source of novel, drug-like molecules already inside the human body. Our proprietary bioplatform leverages the power of evolution, human molecular and genetic data, and artificial intelligence to discover advanced starting points for drugs. Our approach has the potential to create valuable, easy-to-take, safe, cost-effective medicines to treat a wide range of serious unmet medical needs in a fraction of the time and cost and with a higher probability of success than previously thought possible.

Position Summary

Empress is seeking a creative and motivated senior or principal scientist to join our target discovery group. This person will be part of a team that is responsible for proposing, identifying, and validating human protein targets for the small molecules that our bioplatform is generating. S/he will propose targets by utilizing our internal target prediction workflows, followed by experimental validation through a combination of internal assay development and management of external research partners.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biochemistry with a track record of success in innovative and high-impact investigations into biochemical mechanisms. S/he will be accomplished in a wide array of assay modalities and embrace the opportunity to learn and apply new ones. Experience parsing and interpreting large datasets is a plus.

The candidate will contribute critically to shaping the vision and strategy of the Target Discovery group. The candidate will bring a strong entrepreneurial orientation, demonstrate strong communication skills, and be comfortable working in and contributing to a dynamic and cross-functional team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Propose protein targets for the small molecules produced through our bioplatform – relying on your knowledge/intuition, as well as by integrating data from internal chemoproteomics, transcriptomics, and in silico target prediction workflows.
• Utilize established biochemical assays and/or develop and execute bespoke assays to experimentally validate target predictions.
• Identify and manage academic and commercial external research partners to support target discovery efforts.
• Collaborate closely with computational, drug discovery, and biology teams to identify impact opportunities and define roadmaps to deliverables.
• Contribute to building an innovative and state-of-the-art target prediction platform.
• Report results, analyses, and interpretations to the scientific team and management.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline.
• Expertise with in vitro biochemical assay development using purified components, across a variety of assay types. Additional experience with cell-based assay development is a strong plus.
• Deep understanding in mechanistic enzymology, receptor biochemistry, or related field.
• Experience with heterologous protein expression and purification.
• Experience with chemical biology, structural biology, and/or high-throughput workflows is a plus.
• Self-driven with an ability to work with highly skilled teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting.
• Ability to critically evaluate data, generate testable hypotheses, and solve challenging interdisciplinary problems.

What We'll Offer You

• Comprehensive, competitive healthcare and dental coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, vision coverage through VSP, family leave, paid time off, 401k retirement plan, disability and life insurance, and fully covered parking/commuter benefits.
• A dynamic early-stage work environment and highly interdisciplinary, talented, and collaborative team.
• An opportunity to help build a first-in-kind platform company to systematically generate better, safer medicines leveraging insights from eons of evolutionary clinical trials.
• Professional growth opportunities through mentoring, training, immersion in cross-functional projects, and opportunities to learn and try new things.
• Be immersed in a friendly, creative, scientifically rigorous, and inspiring working environment.
• Daily on-site snacks, cold brew coffee and other beverages, as well as weekly catered lunches.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.