Scientist II, Neurobiology, Target Validation  and Drug Discovery

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.  

Valo is looking for a Scientist II to play a pivotal role in wet-lab target validation and assay development for neurodegenerative disease targets, with an initial focus on Parkinson’s disease, that have been identified using Valo’s human-centric Opal computational platform.  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 translating human data insights into new therapies for complex neurodegenerative diseases.  The Scientist II will work cross-functionally with subject matter experts, computational scientists, and engineers in a team-based environment to bring forward novel and creative solutions to target validation.   Your work will build confidence in the translation of candidate drug targets to diseases of interest.  You will also develop assays to characterize and address specific questions related to drug development of selected targets 

As a key bench scientist, you will execute experiments to deliver validation data packages, and present results to internal and external stakeholders. This work will be done with a high degree of reliability, efficiency, and accuracy to allow key decisions on Valo targets.  

Your primary areas of responsibility will be:     

• →Generate experimental plans and execute at the bench to enable validation of novel therapeutic targets, address biological questions related to target drug discovery, and inform compound mechanism of action  

• →Develop and build well controlled human functional cellular assays in neuronal, glia, and other CNS relevant cell types to enable characterization of novel drug targets   

• →Perform experiments and generate data in the laboratory with 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 and document within an electronic lab notebook  
  
  
• →Stay current on emerging trends and advancements in the field   

• A PhD in Biological Sciences or a related field with 2+ years of experience (or MS with 6+ years of experience or a BS with 8+ years of experience)  

• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: 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)  

• Experience in human in vitro systems 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)  

• Strong oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills    

• Track record of impactful scientific contributions as demonstrated by high impact publications   
  
  
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams   

• 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  

• Experience working in in vivo/ex vivo systems   

• Experience in discovery stage preclinical drug discovery programs and with target validation projects   

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.