Job Abstract

Yale Center for Molecular Discovery (YCMD) is small molecule and functional genomics high throughput screening core facility. YCMD serves an entire Yale research community to support identification of novel targets and help advance deep biological insights to discover and develop small molecule probes and ligands, often towards translational endpoints. The center maintains and makes available for screening a large set of bioactive and synthetic diversity libraries (~300,000 small molecules), and genome-wide siRNA and sgRNA/CRISPR collections. YCMD’s resources include sophisticated infrastructure for high throughput assay design and screening, variety of instrumentation to support liquid handling and reformatting needs, and chemistry infrastructure and software to enable probe and lead discovery.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated scientist to join our group to support Yale University researchers in their ligand discovery efforts. Broad synthetic organic, medicinal chemistry and lead discovery knowledge and experience are highly desired as projects and applications are diverse. Successful candidate will be expected to: Provide strong intellectual and technical support in the fields of medicinal chemistry and ligand discovery, leading diverse discovery programs ranging from target identification and validation to compound optimization towards development candidates. Collaborate with biology colleagues to develop discovery project flowcharts and establish the best strategies and libraries for project screens. Evaluate chemical databases and patent literature to help identify prior art or tool compounds which can be utilized to validate assays and biological hypotheses. Support both traditional screening and virtual/computational screening and drug design and optimization. Assess compound quality of high throughput screening hits, perform structure-based clustering to identify core templates, and develop hit repurchasing/resynthesis and hit expansion strategies. Develop and execute biochemical assays to characterize drug activity, including fluorescent polarization, HTRF, mass photometry and other technologies. Support biophysical analysis of ligand-protein interaction, such as SPR, and help develop and execute biochemical assays to characterize drug binding. Support development of initial structure activity relationship (SAR) strategies to optimize compounds towards project milestones. Identify, set up and manage close relationships with synthetic chemistry, in silico screening, and ADME contract research organizations (CROs). Develop, cultivate, and maintain relationships with customers within and outside of Yale community. Support grant proposals and manuscripts submissions by Yale faculty.
High level of independence and initiative in moving projects forward and meeting project objectives.
1. Manages the daily activities of a research resource laboratory. Oversees the scheduling, use, and availability of instrumentation, supplies, and specialized work areas. 2. Carries out biotechnology research design, develop, and modify procedures and instrument operating programs. 3. Develops, interprets, and analyzes the results of biotechnological analyses and/or syntheses. 4. Investigates, analyzes, and evaluates alternative instrumentation, methodologies and techniques to maintain a state-of-the-art biotechnology resource laboratory. 5. Recommends and develops new protocols and initiates and adapts new techniques to resolve problems. 6. Conducts research to determine the feasibility and scope of providing new/revised services. Develops and evaluates new techniques and equipment. 7. Prepares budgets and reports pertaining to laboratory costs and income. 8. Determines and establishes policies and procedures on laboratory safety consistent with University safety regulations. 9. May perform other duties as assigned. Master’s Degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or other related discipline and three years of experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.