Calico LabsPrincipal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry
Calico Labs is hiring a Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry in South San Francisco, United States. It pays $197k-$220k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Calico Labs.
Level's read on this job
- Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
- Tools and skills the posting cites include Chimera, Pymol and Lc Ms.
- Level classifies it as a senior role.
- Level lists 20 other open roles at Calico Labs.
- The role was posted within the past week.
AI in this role
Lead peptide design, synthesis, and engineering initiatives within the drug discovery team at Calico.
Who We Are:
Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.
Position Description:
Calico is seeking a Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry to join our Drug Discovery organization and lead a team focused on peptide design, synthesis and engineering to support Calico’s research and drug development projects. This role will work closely with structural biologists, computational modeling scientists, medicinal chemists, DMPK and formulation scientists to investigate structure-activity relationships and drive compound optimization. Additionally, this position will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with our Computing Group on the in silico design and validation for protein binders.
The successful candidate must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, work autonomously with a variety of experimental techniques, be comfortable presenting results to cross-functional teams, and have experience mentoring early career scientists. The ideal candidate will be a recognized expert in peptide chemistry and have contributed to peptide drug candidates entering clinical development.
Position Requirements:
- Ph.D. in organic, medicinal, peptide, or biochemistry, with 8+ years postdoctoral or equivalent experience working in biopharma/biotech sectors; track record of high-profile publications is desirable
- Strong expertise in protein-peptide, protein-small molecule or protein-protein interaction characterization, including SPR, BLI, FP (fluorescence polarization), mass spec, DSF, ITC, etc.
- Proficient in protein-based assay development including ELISA, enzymatic activity assay, AlphaLisa, etc.
- Experience with protein engineering, including PEGylation
- Experience with assay automation
- Proficient in structure analysis with software including Chimera, Pymol, etc.
- Experience with protein expression and purification is highly preferred
- Experience with LC-MS and AS-MS is highly desired
- Experience in CRO management
- Experience with peptide synthesis and peptide modification chemistry
- Knowledge of optimization of oral bioavailability of peptides
- Accountable, meticulous with attention to detail, and able to multitask
- Strong teamwork and proactive communication skills
- Self-motivated and able to work independently in a cross-functional team environment
- Must be willing to work onsite 5 days per week
The estimated base salary range for this role is $197,000 - $220,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.
How we rate this
Principal Scientist, Peptide Chemistry at Calico Labs rates 20 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.
Little AI. AI is not part of the work.
- ●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
- ●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
- ●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
- ●○○○ Little AI0 to 39
Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.
Prepare for this job
Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.
Skills and AI tools this role asks for
Questions you could be asked
- Tell me about a project where peptide chemistry was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where protein engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where assay development was part of your work. What did you do?
- Tell me about a project where drug discovery was part of your work. What did you do?
- Walk me through how you've used Chimera in your day-to-day work.
Adapt your resume
- List these exact terms on your resume: Peptide Chemistry, Protein Engineering, Assay Development, Drug Discovery, and Chimera. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
- Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
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