Postdoctoral Fellow, Ophthalmology, Translational Medicine

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated scientist with a passion for solving complex problems and contributing creatively within a small team environment. As a member of the Translational Development group, the applicant will play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of ocular diseases and developing therapeutic strategies for future clinical practice by targeting the complement cascade. The successful applicant will be responsible for developing nonclinical models in mice and rats to investigate disease biology, with a particular focus on mechanistic interrogation of the pharmacological effects of potential drug candidates. This position is designed to offer a postdoctoral training atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on exposure to pharmaceutical research and development.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Establish in vivo screening cascades for new ocular therapeutics.

• Design models of ocular disease, including retinopathies (neovascular, degenerative) and glaucoma

• Characterize disease models for changes in relevant biology such as mRNA and protein expression.

• Contribute to ongoing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic research projects.

• Gain diverse experience and understanding of pharmaceutical drug development.

Education, Registration & Certification:

• A PhD or master's degree with extensive experience in ophthalmology

Experience:

• Experience with vivarium responsibilities including non-clinical ocular imaging, animal handling, intravitreal injection, eye dissection, perfusion is required.

• Experience in handling samples from in vivo studies is required.

• Basic wet lab skills, including but not limited to, molecular biology and biochemistry techniques such as DNA and RNA extraction, lysate preparation, qPCR, protein quantification, Western blot/WES/JESS, and ELISA is preferred.

• Experience with in vitro evaluation of various modalities of test article (small molecule, large molecule, oligonucleotide) is desirable.

• Experience with novel cell model generation and/or immunoassay development is desirable.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Ability accept change and adapt to a fast-paced environment.

• We require a highly motivated team player who is able to work both independently and with fellow colleagues.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to details are essential.

• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and document experiments using electronic lab notebook.

• Capable of conducting statistical analysis preferred.

• Experience in using common research software applications (such as Prism, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This position is a lab-based position which may require standing for prolonged periods of time. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

This job operates in a professional office environment and/or laboratory one and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Company Background:

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical company that combines courageous science and compassion to develop life-changing therapies for some of the most challenging diseases patients face. We ushered in the first new class of complement medicine in 15 years and now have two approved medicines targeting C3. These include the first and only therapy for geographic atrophy, a leading cause of blindness around the world. With nearly a dozen clinical and pre-clinical programs underway, we believe we have only begun to unlock the potential of targeting C3 across many serious diseases.

For more information, please visit http://apellis.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

EEO Statement:

Apellis is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state and local fair employment practices laws. Apellis strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, marital status, AIDS/HIV status, smoker/nonsmoker, and occupational pneumoconiosis or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

For San Francisco postings: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.