Milan, December 2011
Job Description: Electrophysiology Scientist (Ref.)
Axxam is a privately owned research and discovery company with an integrated discovery platform called “LeadEngine”, that consists of “assay development”, “high throughput screening” and “hit follow-up” modules. This streamlined industrial platform is used for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds and, as such, it is at the basis of discovery services provided by Axxam’s fully dedicated services unit. An open and dynamic working environment ensures high-quality results from the teams of scientists and other professionals.
In the context of our rapidly expanding portfolio of ion channel targets, and to improve an exciting scientific and technological team in the field, Axxam is seeking to further grow our electrophysiology group by recruiting a qualified scientist with expertise on ion channel biology. The team’s current activities include target validation and evaluation of lead compounds in medium throughput electrophysiology platforms.
The ideal candidate is an experienced ion channel electrophysiologist, preferentially with a PhD or equivalent experience. She/He will establish novel functional assays, on new challenging channel targets, using conventional manual patch clamp technique and automated patch clamp devices. Moreover she/he will be involved in compound profiling for different hit to lead discovery programs of and for safety risk assessment.

Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:

• Perform functional validation of new cell lines expressing the target of interest.
• Perform pharmacological profiling of small molecules modulators, identifying their mechanism of action on targets.
• Maintain broad awareness of state-of-the-art theories and scientific knowledge in ion channel pharmacology.
• Work with other disciplines within biology to enable validation and progression of drug discovery programs.
• Maintain high standards of science quality and rigour.
• Prepare written reports/manuscripts and present data at scientific meetings (internal and external).

Qualifications
The successful candidate will have the following attributes:

• PhD in Biology, Physics, Pharmacology, Physiology or related subject (alternatively BSc/MSc with 2-3 years of relevant experience).
• Extensive experience of whole cell voltage clamp technique from isolated cells.
• Skill in preparation and handling of isolated cells, both primary cultures and recombinant cell lines.
• Deep knowledge on ion channels’, both ligand and voltage-gated, physiology.
• Flexibility and ability in exploring areas outside current sphere of expertise.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good interaction capability with strong enthusiasm within multi-disciplinary teams.

The following attributes would be advantageous:

• 2-3 post-graduate experience ideally gained in industry.
• Experience of high/medium-throughput electrophysiology instrumentations.
• Multidisciplinary approach in ion channel studies (e.g. use of membrane potential, calcium sensitive dyes).

If your background and personal experience fit this profile, please send your complete application, including a brief description of your experience, your CV and a list of references to the address below, or upload it at our on-line contact centre. Please, include in the message subject (Ref.) and add to your CV the following statement:
"I hereby grant permission to use my personal data in accordance with the Italian Leg. Dec. 196/2003".

The deadline for the application is end of January 2012.

Axxam SpA
Via Meucci 3 , 20091 Bresso  (Italy)
Fax +39 02 2105602
www.axxam.com