About Us
Valo Health is a human-centric, AI-enabled biotechnology company working to make new drugs for patients faster. The company’s Opal Computational Platform transforms drug discovery and development through a unique combination of real-world data, AI, human translational models and predictive chemistry. Our talented team of biologists, chemists and engineers, armed with advanced AI/ML tools, work together to break down traditional R&D silos and accelerate the speed and scale of drug discovery and development. Valo is committed to hiring diverse talent, prioritizing growth and development, fostering an inclusive environment, and creating opportunities to bring together a group of different experiences, backgrounds, and voices to work together.
We embrace new ways of learning, solve complex problems and welcome diverse perspectives that can help us advance patient-centric innovation. Valo is headquartered in Lexington, MA, with additional offices in New York, NY and Tel Aviv, Israel. To learn more, visit www.valohealth.com.
About the Role...
Valois looking foraScientistIItoplay a pivotal role inwet-labtarget validation and assay development for neurodegenerative disease targets, with an initial focus on Parkinson’s disease,that have beenidentifiedusingValo’shuman-centricOpalcomputationalplatform. This role will also support drug discovery program goals including compound and biological mechanism of action and cellular efficacy model studies. The Scientist II will have a passion for translatinghuman data insights into new therapies for complex neurodegenerative diseases.The Scientist II will work cross-functionally withsubject matter experts,computational scientists,andengineers in a team-based environment to bring forward novel and creative solutions to target validation. Your work will build confidence in the translation ofcandidatedrugtargetsto diseases of interest. You will also develop assays to characterize and address specific questions related to drug development of selected targetsAs a key bench scientist, you willexecute experiments todelivervalidation data packages,andpresent resultstointernal and external stakeholders. This work will be done with a high degree of reliability, efficiency, and accuracy to allow key decisions on Valo targets.
What You’ll Do…
Your primary areas of responsibility will be:
- Generate experimental plansand execute at the bench to enablevalidation of noveltherapeutictargets, address biological questions related to target drug discovery, and inform compound mechanism of action
- Develop and build well controlled humanfunctionalcellular assays in neuronal, glia, and other CNS relevant cell types to enable characterization of novel drug targets
- Perform experiments and generatedata inthe laboratorywith a high degree of reliability, efficiency, and accuracy to support target validation projects.
- Work in collaboration with other Valo scientists to progress target validation and drug development aligned with company goals
- Generate data with high quality standards anddocumentwithin an electronic labnotebook
- Stay current on emergingtrends and advancements in the field
What You Bring…
- A PhD inBiological Sciencesorarelated fieldwith 2+ yearsofexperience(orMS with6+years of experienceor a BS with8+ years of experience)
- Expertisein one or more of the followingareas: Neurobiology, Neurodegenerative disease, Parkison’s disease, cell biology
- Expertise in neuronal and neurodegenerative disease models (e.g. experience with PFF seeding models (α–synuclein) and iPSC dopaminergic neuronal culture)
- Experienceinhumanin vitrosystems including primary cell culture and iPSC differentiation with neuronal cell types (neurons, microglia, astrocytes, co-culture systems), molecular biology,and genetic manipulation (CRISPR, siRNA, overexpression systems)
- Experience in assay development with functional readouts (neuronal function, cell death assay, phagocytosis, cellular function and morphology, western blotting, ELISA, imaging (ICC/IF), qPCR/RT-qPCR)
- Strongoral and writtencommunication,presentationand interpersonal skills
- Track recordof impactful scientific contributions asdemonstratedby high impact publications
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
You May Also Bring…
- Experience in human in vitro systems including cell culture and functional assays related to Parkinson’s disease
- Experience with organoids or 2D/3D models
- Experience with barrier models looking at BBB structure and function
- Experienceworkinginin vivo/ex vivosystems
- Experience in discovery stage preclinical drug discovery programs and with target validation projects
MA Salary Range$123,250 - $145,000USD
Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Valo Health currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Valo Health's good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
Please note: At this time, we are only able to consider candidates who currentlyhave permanent US work authorization without the need for immediate or future sponsorship.
