Senior Scientist

Description:

• Supporting drug discovery-from early project concepts toward clinical candidates.

• Key responsibilities include developing and troubleshooting assays, designing and conducting experiments, and generating, interpreting, and sharing data to help understand compound behavior, mechanism of action, and biomarkers.

• Support our dynamic and collaborative cross-functional team working on small molecule drug discovery projects within Oncology.

• You will contribute to the development of cell-based assays, study novel biological mechanisms, identify lead molecules, and elucidate their underlying mechanisms of action. These activities will help progress oncology drug candidates toward clinical evaluation.

• This contract offers a unique opportunity to work on a diverse range of scientific projects and collaborate with scientists across disciplines in a matrixed environment, making a tangible impact on our oncology programs.

• Validate oncology target biology using preclinical models such as cell lines and organoids, and generate derivative models using genetic approaches.

• Assay Development: Develop, implement, and troubleshoot cell-based phenotypic assays including proliferation, survival, cell cycle, and apoptosis across 2D/3D and clonogenic formats.

• Experimental Design & Execution: Design and conduct experiments to understand mechanisms of action and identify candidate biomarkers utilizing western blotting, ELISA, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, and high-content imaging approaches.

• Data Analysis & Communication: Analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate experimental data within the team and across projects.

• Record Keeping & Data Generation: Maintain clear and accurate records in accordance with best practices, including data generation for AI application and deployment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology or a relevant scientific field with 4-6+ years post-graduation research experience; OR

• PhD with 2+ years post-graduation research experience.

• Demonstrated skill in data generation, management, and analysis.

• Positive, collaborative attitude and a strong willingness to learn.

• Ability to work independently to execute experiments, identify key scientific questions, and analyze data.

• Expertise in cancer cell biology and genetics.

• Drug discovery experience in academic, biotech, or pharmaceutical settings.

• Broad assay platform familiarity and experience with assay development or automation.

• High-throughput data generation experience, with the ability to analyze such large-scale datasets.

• Cellular assay experience

• Understanding of compounds' mechanisms of action

• Biomarker experience

Benefits:

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first of the month following at least 1 calendar year after employment begins.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.

Synectics is a leading staffing and workforce solutions company dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with top organizations. We specialize in IT, engineering, finance, healthcare, and professional services recruitment, offering both contract and permanent staffing solutions. With a people-first approach, we focus on understanding the unique needs of our clients and candidates to create long-term, successful matches. Our mission is to empower businesses with the right talent while helping professionals achieve rewarding career opportunities