Sosei Heptares is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing life-changing medicines based on world-class science to patients globally. Our vision is to become one of Japan’s global biopharmaceutical champions.

Our global business combines our world-leading GPCR-targeted StaR® technology, structure-based drug design and early development capabilities in the UK with a highly experienced clinical development capability and a commercial operation in Japan.

We are leveraging these capabilities to generate and advance a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, immunology, gastroenterology and inflammatory diseases.

We intend to develop these opportunities for patients in Japan and globally both internally and through our partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies and emerging technology companies.

Sosei Heptares operates from key locations in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), London and Cambridge (UK) and Seoul (South Korea).

For more information, please visit https://soseiheptares.com/. LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | Twitter: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco

We are currently seeking an experienced molecular biologist to join the Protein Engineering group working on GPCR structure determination to enable drug discovery efforts.

The successful candidate will be expected to work independently, and the role will include the following responsibilities:

• Cloning of plasmid constructs for expression;
• Expression of GPCRs in insect, yeast and human cells;
• Characterization of GPCRs in membranes and in detergent-solubilised form using ligand binding assays;
• Establishing and optimising thermal stability assays;
• Mutant library generation and directed evolution of proteins;
• Screening for stabilising mutations using our proprietary platform to create StaR® proteins;
• Construct engineering to optimise expression;
• Purification and biochemical characterisation of GPCRs using a range of techniques such as size exclusion chromatography;
• Development of novel technologies for stabilising and determining the structures of GPCRs
• Optimising expression of other membrane proteins (e.g., ion channels and transporters)
• Careful documentation of experimental work; and,
• Work closely with molecular biologists, protein expression scientists, biophysicists, structural biologists, and pharmacologists to help advance the project.
• This is an exceptional opportunity to participate in pioneering science with an Industry-leading Drug Discovery company.

• PhD in a relevant area of biology
• Ability to work flexibly within a team, whilst being highly self-motivated and able to work independently;
• Analytical thinking and good problem-solving skills;
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to work to strict deadlines;
• Fluency in oral and written English is essential; and
• Relevant lab experience would be preferred including:
• Experience in a variety of molecular biology cloning techniques;
• Proficient in cell culture techniques for the expression of membrane proteins in mammalian, insect and yeast cells;
• Experience in membrane protein purification;
• Experience of assay development and optimisation;
• Experience in flow cytometry;
• Experience in GPCR in vitro pharmacology and GPCR biochemical assays would be desirable.

What’s in it for you?

· State-of-the-art R&D centre located in the heart of the Cambridge science cluster

· Competitive compensation package including discretionary cash bonuses

· Eligible for grants of Restricted Stock Units in Sosei Group Corporation

· 25 days annual leave in addition to public holidays plus the option to purchase an additional 5 days each year

· Employer contribution to pension

· Private Medical Insurance for employees and family and a cash plan for dental and optical reimbursement

· Health and wellbeing benefits including a subsidised individual gym membership

· Income protection to cover long term absences due to ill health

· Group Death in Service equal to 4x basic annual salary

Working at Sosei Heptares

The Sosei Heptares R&D centre is a modern, state-of-the-art centre located within easy shuttle reach of Cambridge and Whittlesford Parkway train stations. We offer a collaborative, diverse and inclusive working environment that considers your individual needs and believes in maintaining a sustainable work-life balance. You will be welcomed by a team of colleagues with decades of accumulated experience in their areas of expertise, happy to help you develop your own skills in a highly collaborative environment and who are keen to provide guidance and support in your personal and career development plans.

Our Mission, Vision and Values

Our mission is to make life-changing medicines using world-leading science, to achieve our vision of becoming one of Japan’s global biopharmaceutical champions.

We are guided by three fundamental values.

Limitless Compassion

· Unswerving passion

· Continuous self-innovation

These unchanging set of core values that serves as a guide across all our activities

Join Us!

Other information

The successful candidate will be employed by Heptares Therapeutics Ltd, a UK wholly owned subsidiary of Sosei Group Corporation.

Sosei Heptares is committed to building a diverse and ambitious workforce, and to promoting equal opportunities in employment. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams build a stronger and more innovative company. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment: we do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other classification prescribed by law.

Applications should include a CV and covering letter, providing a short description of the background of your interest in the role, and apply via our on-line jobs’ portal: https://bit.ly/3v7NJh0 in pdf format, quoting reference number 2023-Protein Engineering - RS. The closing date for applications is 29th September 2023.

C.K. Group are our partnered agency on this role.