Scientist/Sr. Scientist - Electrophysiology

PsychoGenics Inc.•Paramus, NJ

18d

About The Position

PsychoGenics is a preclinical CRO with expertise in central nervous system (CNS) and orphan disorders. Our mission is to provide the best validated disease models and comprehensive preclinical capabilities to help companies discover the next generation of treatments for severely disabling CNS and orphan disorders and reduce the attrition rate in clinical development. We are known for our cutting-edge translational approach to research, our customized solutions, the breadth, and quality of our work, as well as for our ability to identify statistically relevant phenotypic changes that help our clients quantify the efficacy of their treatments before they move into the clinic. With an extensive portfolio of highly predictive disease models and unparalleled experience performing studies for biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes, we enable clients to deliver much needed superior clinical candidates to patients. PsychoGenics is seeking a highly-motivated Scientist/Sr. Scientist (title depending on experience) with a strong background in biophysics to join the Electrophysiology team. The primary responsibilities of the candidate will include, but are not limited to, designing and performing electrophysiological manual patch-clamp assays in cultured human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to test small molecule drugs and other therapeutic modalities on ligand-gated and voltage-gated ion channel targets. The candidate is expected to be responsible for custom-build of perfusion and other peripheral hardware necessary for the successful implementation of manual patch-clamp assays.

Requirements

PhD in Neuroscience (or cardiovascular, muscle, or related field), with minimum 5 years' experience in study of ligand-gated and/or voltage-gated ion channel biophysics.
Ability to independently lead set-up, configuration, and maintenance of electrophysiology rig hardware, including customized fast-application system for delivery of ligand/drug to cells.
Highly skilled in manual patch-clamp of cells in culture in whole-cell configuration (experience with excised patch highly desired).
Competence in electrophysiology software acquisition, and strong data analysis skills (skills in computational tools like R and/or Python highly desired).
High level of commitment to quality, organizational ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects, and strong motivation to perform and provide deliverables on tight timelines to internal stakeholders and external clients.
Effective communication skills, and data presentation skills to internal stakeholders and external clients.
Collegial team member, and adept at working in a matrixed work environment with cross-funcational teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with preparation of acute rodent brain slices or other tissues for patch-clamp electrophysiology; multi-electrode array electrophysiology experimental set-up and data analysis is a BIG PLUS.

Responsibilities

Devise assays to isolate and measure biophysical parameters related to activity of various ion channel targets (Cl-, Na+, Ca+, K+).
Design, set up, and maintenance of electrophysiology equipment and peripheral hardware for custom-built fast perfusion for ligand and/or drug application according to assay needs.
Carry out manual patch-clamp (voltage-clamp) recordings of ligand-gated, and/or voltage-gated, ion channels to allow for pharmacological and drug-interaction kinetic analysis.
Analyze, quality control, and present electrophysiological data to internal stakeholders and external clients.
Prepare study plans and study reports.
Engage with electrophysiology team members, and other PsychoGenics teams, as well as external clients on study design and progress.