Senior Research Associate / Scientist, In vitro Drug Discovery

Position Description

We are seeking a talented Senior Research Associate / Scientist to be an integral part of our drug discovery platform expansion to include disease model systems for emerging projects. We are searching for an individual who is excited to develop in vitro disease model systems in an intimate and small team focused on the discovery, preclinical validation, and clinical translation of novel biologics for chronic and rare degenerative diseases. The individual will be an integral member of the expanding discovery team to increase our pipeline of state-of-the-art biologics. The ideal candidate will have industry experience in a drug discovery and early development setting and have been involved in high throughput screening, lead candidate selection, and IND-enabling studies for biologics.

Company Summary

Juvena Therapeutics is on a mission to discover and develop biologics for rare and chronic degenerative diseases by mining the secretomes of human pluripotent stem cells through a machine learning (ML)-enhanced platform. Juvena’s approach integrates proteomics, transcriptomics and imaging with phenotypic human in vitro disease model screening and extensive preclinical validation to mine stem cell secretomes as a rich source of new medicines for chronic and rare diseases. We are advancing leads for muscular dystrophies and muscle atrophy, and validating hits across metabolic and pulmonary diseases with a goal to identify and develop two new assets in new disease indications over the next two years. Since our launch in mid-2018, Juvena has discovered dozens of hits for neuromuscular, skeletal, metabolic and pulmonary diseases, including several muscle regenerative protein therapeutic candidates with potent human in vitro and mice in vivo efficacy. Juvena is advancing a developmental candidate for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, a rare autosomal dominant, progressive muscle-wasting disease, in IND-enabling studies.

Juvena Therapeutics has secured venture capital, NIH, and CIRM funding to develop our top lead to a clinical-stage investigational new drug, to build our stem cell secretome database, and to leverage our discovery platform to rapidly identify and validate novel protein-based drug candidates for multiple rare and chronic diseases across metabolic and pulmonary therapeutic areas. At Juvena we embrace a diversity of backgrounds, experience and approaches that all combine to lead us to world-class scientific results in an inclusive environment.

Major Responsibilities

• Build our expertise in human disease models to expand Juvena’s platform screening capabilities across multiple organ model systems
• Integrate the latest in cell culture techniques and analytical methods to increase throughput and information content in our in vitro screening and pharmacology
• Oversee and perform experiments in disease model systems as well as support our projects with cell-based and biochemical assays
• Communicate scientific data internally and externally
• Contribute to a dynamic and exciting culture that embraces teamwork and innovation
• Maintain flexibility in supporting multiple discovery and preclinical projects as the company grows

Position Requirements and Experience

• A relevant Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, cell biology, or a related field with 2-5 years of industry experience in a drug discovery environment
• Demonstrated ability to support small molecule or biologic-based high-throughput screening projects
• Documented experience with assay development and troubleshooting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with 3D cell cultures or organoids
• Experience with high content imaging, automation, or NGS pipelines
• Knowledge of regenerative medicine, cardiometabolic, and pulmonary disease areas
• Understanding of how disease model data fits into bioinformatics and machine learning applications

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus and stock options
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• More benefits coming soon (including initiation of 401(k) matching program)

Apply for the Position

Apply to this Job through the following means:

• LinkedIn job posting
• Website job posting

Please email your CV and Cover Letter to apply@juvenatherapeutics.com with the title of the position as the subject line.