Mass Spectrometry Specialist

Vacancy Reference Number

PBL469

Closing Date

20 Mar 2019

Salary

circa £35,000 pa

Address

Porton Biopharma, Ltd Manor Farm Road Porton Down, Salisbury SP40JG

Duration

Permanent

The post holder will work with the analytical method development team of Porton Biopharma Ltd (PBL) in identification, process improvement, and characterisation studies which are business-critical and associated with the company’s product line. PBL currently manufactures a licenced protein therapeutic for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and an Anthrax vaccine. Mass spectral analyses play a fundamental role in the characterisation and process improvement efforts associated with these products. They include, but are not restricted to:

• Establishing host cell protein (HCP) clearance profile through construction and interrogation of protein spectral libraries.
• Assessment of post-translational modifications in protein biotherapeutics.
• Absolute quantification of specific antigens expressed in culture related to vaccine efficacy, using MRM and ID-MS approaches. Mass spectral support of the company’s pipeline projects is also anticipated.
• The successful candidate will conduct investigatory analyses as needed using a triple TOF, AB Sciex 6600 high resolution mass spectrometer, via PRM, DDA and DIA approaches.
• They will be responsible for novel MS method development, including associated tandem LC methods, for targeted analyses as well as proteomics-based investigations in DIA mode.
• They will also be responsible for developing LC-MS methods for characterisation of biotherapeutic protein post-translational modifications as required by regulatory authorities.
• The successful candidate will be expected to compile relevant protocols and reports, perform appropriate statistical data analyses, and provide written and oral presentations of their results.
• The successful candidate will also be expected to be self-motivated to undergo any necessary training in relevant software and related applications to support contemporary approaches to MS investigations.
• Additional responsibilities for this role will extend to training junior members of the team as needed to support related characterisation studies, general troubleshooting, and assisting where required with related duties in the laboratory.

Further Information

We are looking for an applicant with significant previous method development experience with biomolecules using high resolution QTOF- mass spectroscopy. Applicants must hold a minimum of a Chemistry (or related) degree and be confident in their experimental approach in undertaking LC-MS studies. An advanced degree (MSc, or PhD.) in chemistry or related area would be desirable. To be considered for this role, you must have experience in developing methods on LC-MS QTOF instruments. Applicants should have a good understanding of proteomics, both targeted and untargeted analyses, and the associated data analysis techniques. Experience in post-acquisition data processing using contemporary software and on-line databases such as Protein Pilot, Skyline, FASTA, etc., along with the appropriate statistical analyses for interrogating protein and peptide databases is also highly desirable. The applicant should also be a strong team player with excellent written and oral communication skills.

Contact Details

Please submit your CV and the names of at least 2 referees, ideally one of which is familiar with your LC-MS background, to recruitment@portonbiopharma.com, citing the vacancy reference number associated with this advert.