Senior Scientist (I/II) / Principal Scientist (I/II)

Summary

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated senior/principal scientist to join the Ochre Bio Team in TPE on an exciting journey to support the development of advanced RNA medicines for one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time.

Ochre's Taipei site is a highly unique precision-slice liver culture lab that deep phenotypes human liver biopsies from diseased donor patients and studies their responses to advanced RNA therapies. Deep phenotyping of liver tissue slices includes: tissue imaging, functional assays, bulk/single-cell sequencing, to model disease and therapeutic dynamics over extended culture time. The team also uses functional genomics, perturbation assays and large scale primary human cell culture/co-culture models to increase scale and throughput of generating discovery datasets and drug candidate screening.

This role will be responsible for driving innovation using the ex-vivo human precision slice culture and human primary cell culture to better study liver fibrosis and regeneration and for early validation of Ochre's drug discovery candidates. We are looking for well-rounded scientists who can keep to deadlines in a fast-paced environment and be part of a collaborative team. You will be expected to work alongside junior scientists to rapidly optimise culture conditions and assays to drive innovation in precision slice culture systems. Experimental experience in liver and metabolic disorders, ex vivo tissue perfusion systems, organ-on-chip, 3D organoid cultures, high-content imaging, RNAi screens will be highly advantageous. We welcome Ph.Ds and Post Docs who would like to make the switch to an industrial research environment. You will report to the Head of Early Validation (site head), working closely with the rest of cell and tissue team to generate robust data,

This role will be based at National Biotechnology Research Park at Nangang, Taipei.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive innovation by developing and executing state of the art primary cell and tissue culture conditions to study liver fibrosis and regeneration
• Lead the design and execution of large scale RNAi screen in liver cells and tissue to identify new targets in liver fibrosis and regeneration
• Actively collaborate and communicate with other members of Ochre Bio across all three sites (US, UK & Taiwan) and attend meetings
• Support junior scientists in the lab
• Proactively contribute to the smooth running of the laboratory, including managing external suppliers and collaborators.
• Compile data decks on experiments, present data and conclusions to wider teams
• Participate in projects spanning all three sites (US, UK & Taiwan) and external partners

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• PhD degree in a biological science
• Track record of scientific contributions including peer-reviewed first-author publications, patent applications, and/or presentations at major conferences

Desirable

• Startup biotech or industry experience
• Experience with 3D tissue and organoid culture, organ-on-chip, perfusion system, high-content imaging, large scale RNAi screens

Skills & Competencies

Required

• Strong command of biology, cellular models and model development
• Comfortable with large scale screens and high-throughput workflows
• Highly organised and methodical approach to work and record keeping
• Self-motivated, technically competent and capable of working independently within the laboratory
• Ability to adapt to changing demands whilst working within a team to tight deadlines
• Proactiveness in identifying and addressing issues
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and prioritise tasks effectively
• High-level of attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good team player
• Excellent command of English
• Embracing change - this is a fast-growing company and change is inevitable!

Desirable

Ability to analyse and present data using R is highly desirable, and will be required on the job.

Cultural & Working Norms

The role requires behaviours that encourage thriving in the face of failures, summarised as Ochre's three laws.

Clarke's Law:

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic (Don't fear failure, be ambitious)

Murphy's Law:

What can go wrong, will go wrong. (You will fail, learn quickly)

Wheaton's Law:

Don't be a d*ck! (Others will fail you, support them)