Research Scientist
Ochre Bio
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated Research 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
- Design and perform scaled target discovery and validation experiment using CRISPR and/or arranged siRNA approaches
- Actively collaborate and communicate with other members of Ochre Bio across all three sites (US, UK & Taiwan) and attend meetings
- Support junior associates and 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
- Master's or PhD degree in a relevant subject, e.g., molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or in a related field of the life sciences.
- Documented hands-on experience with the application of cutting-edge methods in cell biology, including human tissue/organoids culture.
Desirable
- Strong background in molecular biology, experience with viral and non-viral vector development, and clone screening.
- Experience executing a large no. of high-throughput screens using cells or cell lines and performing data analysis
- Knowledge or experience in genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening with patient-derived model systems.
- Experience in genomic techniques, transfection, and knockdown experiments (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, siRNA, shRNA, antisense and similar technologies).
- Familiarity with 10x single-cell genomics assays.
- Knowledge on flow cytometry technologies and applications is considered advantageous.
- Considerable experience in drug screening is considered advantageous.
- Experience with handling large-scale projects is considered advantageous.
- Bulk-RNA-seq, single cell RNA-seq and other omics analysis using programming languages such a R, Python
Skills & Competencies
Required
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to work independently.
- Excellent organization and communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
All applicants must also have a permit to work in Taiwan and an excellent command of English.
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)