Technician or Associate Scientist - Job Opportunity at InterAx Biotech AG

Schlieren, Switzerland
Part-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 10, 2025
On-site
CHF 70,000 - 90,000 per year (approximately USD 77,000 - 99,000), reflecting Switzerland's premium life sciences market and the specialized nature of GPCR research expertise combined with the part-time flexibility offered

Benefits

Opportunity to join an interdisciplinary, multi-national team working on cutting-edge GPCR drug discovery technologies
Professional development in a collaborative and inspirational culture that values knowledge sharing and growth
Exposure to state-of-the-art computational chemistry and machine learning/AI tools in drug discovery
Direct contribution to developing drugs for high-impact disease areas with potential global health impact

Key Responsibilities

Lead development and execution of kinetic cell signaling assays for GPCRs using advanced BRET/FRET-based technologies, directly supporting breakthrough drug discovery initiatives
Manage and optimize mammalian cell culture operations critical to maintaining research continuity and experimental integrity
Execute molecular biology techniques including cell transfection and ELISA biomarker quantification that form the foundation of drug screening activities
Analyze, document and present experimental data to cross-functional teams, influencing strategic research decisions
Oversee laboratory operations including material procurement, inventory management and equipment maintenance to ensure operational excellence

Requirements

Education

Master degree in Biology or a related field. Or a Bachelor degree or a completed apprenticeship with 4+ years of relevant experience

Experience

4+ years of relevant experience for non-Master degree holders, relevant industry experience in biotech or pharma environment preferred

Required Skills

Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture Experience with cellular signaling and drug screening assays Proficiency with data analysis software such as Microsoft Excel and GraphPad Prism, or R Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team Good communication skills and fluency in English
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The GPCR drug discovery market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by advances in computational modeling and AI integration, with companies increasingly focusing on mechanistic understanding to address the 50% failure rate of drug candidates due to poor efficacy. This trend toward precision drug discovery is creating high demand for technicians skilled in both traditional wet lab techniques and modern analytical approaches. Biotech companies are heavily investing in automation and high-throughput screening technologies for drug discovery, particularly in Switzerland's thriving life sciences corridor, making expertise in assay development and optimization increasingly valuable in the current market. The integration of computational chemistry with experimental biology is becoming standard practice in drug discovery, creating opportunities for technicians who can bridge traditional laboratory work with data analysis and contribute to interdisciplinary research teams.

Role Significance

Typically part of a 8-12 person interdisciplinary research team including computational biologists, medicinal chemists, and senior scientists, with direct collaboration across multiple functional areas
This mid-level position represents a crucial operational role within the research team, with significant autonomy in experimental design and execution, plus responsibility for training junior staff and contributing to strategic research planning through data analysis and presentation

Key Projects

Development and validation of novel GPCR assay platforms for drug screening campaigns Optimization of cellular signaling pathways for improved drug target identification Implementation of automated screening protocols to increase throughput and reproducibility Biomarker quantification studies supporting lead compound advancement through development pipeline

Success Factors

Technical excellence in mammalian cell culture and assay development combined with strong analytical skills to interpret complex biological data and contribute meaningfully to drug discovery programs Collaborative mindset and communication skills essential for working effectively in interdisciplinary teams where biological expertise must be integrated with computational modeling and medicinal chemistry insights Adaptability and continuous learning orientation to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies in GPCR research, automation systems, and data analysis tools that are transforming modern drug discovery

Market Demand

High - Swiss biotech sector shows strong demand for skilled laboratory technicians with GPCR and cell culture expertise, particularly those capable of supporting both research and development phases

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Mammalian cell culture expertise is fundamental as GPCRs require complex cellular environments for proper function and drug screening, making this skill essential for generating reliable, reproducible data that forms the basis of all downstream drug development decisions Data analysis proficiency using tools like GraphPad Prism and R is crucial because modern drug discovery relies heavily on quantitative analysis of complex datasets, and the ability to extract meaningful insights from experimental data directly impacts the success of drug discovery programs Experience with cellular signaling assays is vital because understanding GPCR signaling pathways and their modulation by potential drugs requires sophisticated experimental approaches that can capture the dynamic nature of cellular responses

Beneficial Skills

Knowledge of automation technologies and high-throughput screening methods would enhance efficiency and scalability of drug discovery operations Understanding of computational chemistry principles would facilitate better collaboration with modeling teams and improve interpretation of structure-activity relationships Regulatory knowledge related to drug development would provide valuable context for experimental design and data documentation requirements

Unique Aspects

Integration of computational modeling with experimental biology creates unique learning opportunities spanning multiple disciplines from atomic-level drug interactions to organism-level effects
Focus on GPCR targets, representing the largest class of drug targets, provides exposure to diverse therapeutic areas and drug development challenges with significant commercial potential
Emphasis on mechanistic understanding and quantitative modeling positions the role at the forefront of precision medicine approaches that are reshaping modern drug discovery

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years to senior scientist level with demonstrated impact on drug discovery programs and continued skill development in emerging technologies

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Scientist positions leading assay development programs Project Leader roles managing drug discovery campaigns Specialized positions in assay automation and high-throughput screening Regulatory affairs or business development roles leveraging technical expertise

Company Overview

InterAx Biotech AG

InterAx Biotech represents a specialized player in the highly competitive GPCR drug discovery space, positioning itself through deep computational modeling expertise combined with experimental validation capabilities. The company's focus on mechanistic understanding of drug action addresses a critical industry challenge where traditional approaches have shown high failure rates.

Emerging biotech company with strong technical differentiation in a market dominated by large pharmaceutical companies, leveraging Switzerland's reputation as a global life sciences hub to attract talent and investment in specialized drug discovery technologies
Located in Switzerland's Zurich biotech corridor, providing access to world-class research institutions, pharmaceutical partnerships, and a highly skilled international workforce that supports the company's interdisciplinary approach to drug discovery
Innovation-focused environment emphasizing collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and professional development, typical of Swiss biotech companies that must compete globally for talent while maintaining high technical standards and regulatory compliance
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