Dorian Therapeutics - Computational biologist/chemist

Project Title: Targeting enzymes to reduce senescence

Short about the company

Dorian therapeutics is an aging company focused on developing senoblockers to enhance cellular life-span. By blocking the process of cellular senescence and modulating stem cells pathways, Dorian’s cutting-edge technology will revolutionize the way we treat age-related diseases and increase the success of cellular therapies, including immunotherapy.

Founded in June 2018, Dorian Therapeutics spun out from Stanford University and joined the YC (Y Combinator) and the Stanford-StartX program for early-stage start-ups. Our company is VC-backed, and our labs are based in San Carlos, California, in a new facility hosting several biotech companies.

Disease/Area:

Age-related disease/small molecule

Dorian Therapeutics has a great team of researchers with different expertise (stem cells, senescence, immunology, assay development, CAR-T…) that are passionately working together to find better treatments for patients. We are seeking a curios and passionate computational biologist/chemist to join us to make this happen!

Position/Project summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate computational biologist/chemist to work with us in finding new targets and molecules to treat age/related diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s and osteoporosis. Aging is the main risk factor for many diseases; recently the process of cellular senescence has been identified as a common pathway involved in aging. Blocking senescence will improve many age-related diseases and it is the novel approach that Dorian Therapeutics is developing.

The project will focus on targeting a class of enzymes responsible for epigenetic changes that regulate the switch between self-renewal and aging. The project will have both a computational and a wet lab aspect.

The role will be to advise and assist in the data analysis, interpretation and integration of transcriptomic and chemistry data. These studies will involve cutting edge science and the efforts of this role will be pivotal in advancing our therapeutic capabilities.

Job responsibilities

Wet lab and computational responsibilities could include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular biology (cloning, target sequence design and testing)

  • Tissue culture including application of sterile techniques for handling primary cell cultures and immortalized cell lines

  • RNA extraction and qPCR analyses

  • Screening of small molecule

  • Programming/scripting experience in languages such Python or R. Experience with visualization tools such as matplotlib or ggplot

  • Knowledge of bioinformatics principles, tools, and databases

  • Routine lab support job

Other responsibilities:

  • Independently design experiments and contribute with original ideas

  • Maintain research inventory, equipment, record-keeping and administrative tasks

  • Data analyses, interpretation and troubleshooting

  • Assist with general lab management duties

  • Participate in company meetings, communicate regularly with team members and founders regarding project progress and experimental plans

  • Be a team member in achieving common goals

Required skills/ Qualifications

  • Minimum education: BS/MS in Biological Science or related field

  • Minimum experience: hands-on experience in molecular biology and computational analyses

  • Be willing and passionate about learning new techniques and go the extra mile to move the company forward

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with small molecules is preferred but not mandatory