Job Description

Topo Therapeutics

Topo Therapeutics is an early-stage startup biotech company in One Kendall Square in Cambridge. Topo’s mission is to develop small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of neurological and rare diseases by leveraging novel insights into protein structure and small molecule-protein interactions. Backed by a top-tier life science investor, Topo brings together scientific founders who are world leaders in the fields of protein structure, neurobiology, and rare disease and a highly experienced team with industry- leading expertise in membrane protein pharmacology.

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated and organized Biochemistry/Structural Biology Scientist to join the Topo scientific team. This lab-based position will be primarily responsible for producing high quality protein reagents and developing and executing biochemical and biophysical assays for ligand discovery and MoA studies. Additional responsibilities include protein structure determination by cryoEM to inform medicinal chemistry and structure-based drug design. The successful candidate will work closely with Topo biologists and chemists across programs.

Skills and Requirements:

• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, or related discipline preferably with 0-2+ years in drug discovery in an industry or postdoctoral position.
• Deep understanding of protein structure/function relationships.
• Experience with protein expression using a range of vectors and hosts.
• Experience with construct design and purification of challenging proteins.
• Experience with membrane protein biochemistry. Experience with membrane protein reconstitution and liposome-based assays is a plus.
• Experience with structural biology techniques including cryoEM sample preparation, image analysis software, map interpretation, and model building.
• Ability to independently apply novel software for structure determination and analysis. Experience with computational structure prediction tools such as AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold is a plus.
• Experience with biochemical, biophysical, or cell-based assay development.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work independently, excellent attention to detail, organizational skills and computer literacy required.

Desired Skills:

• Programming in a commonly used language (e.g. Python).
• Experience with membrane protein pharmacology and drug MoA studies.
• Solid understanding of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics.

If you are interested in exploring work opportunities at Topo, please submit your resume noting your specific position interest to: careers@topo-tx.com.

Topo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Topo is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are currently unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Topo or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed agreement between the parties will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means.