Scientist (Protein Sciences)

Future Fields; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits

Flexible paid time off policy

Snacks and coffee in the office

Job summary

Future Fields in Edmonton, Canada, is looking for a Scientist (Protein Sciences) to develop and optimize purification workflows and assays. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in chromatographic techniques and analytical quality assays. Responsibilities include executing complex purification tasks and analyzing protein data. Candidates should thrive in a dynamic startup environment and have excellent communication skills. The role offers comprehensive health benefits and a flexible paid time off policy.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with chromatographic purification.
• Experience running analytical assays like SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting.
• Ability to design and execute complex experiments.

Responsibilities

• Execute complex purification workflows to isolate target proteins.
• Analyze datasets for critical insights.
• Conduct deep-dive investigations into purification hurdles.

Skills

Chromatographic purification techniques

Analytical assays interpretation

Documentation practices

Problem-solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

MSc in relevant field with ≥2 years’ experience or BSc with ≥4 years’ experience

Tools

Benchling

AKTA systems

Job description

About the role

Reporting to Jan (Head of Protein Sciences), the Scientist (Protein Sciences) drives the development, optimization, and characterization of purification workflows and analytical assays that inform and advance our larval recombinant‑protein platform. This vital role combines rigorous process development with scientific discovery to understand platform behaviour and improve product quality. The role is responsible for independently executing experiments, translating results into novel methodologies, and proactively troubleshooting to provide high‑quality data essential to scaling our impact.

Responsibilities

• Executing complex end‑to‑end purification workflows to isolate high‑quality target proteins from our unique biological matrices.
• Building and refining a modular library of extraction and purification protocols that work across diverse protein classes.
• Conducting deep‑div investigations into purification hurdles to enhance platform robustness.
• Analyzing multidimensional datasets to generate protein profiles that provide critical feedback upstream.
• Performing analytical assays, including SDS‑PAGE and Western Blotting, to verify protein identity, purity, and structural integrity.
• Maintaining meticulous real‑time documentation within Benchling (ELN) to preserve platform insights.

Additional duties

• Collaborating with CDMO, Genetics and Manufacturing to connect molecular architecture with final protein performance.
• Acting as a trusted teammate in the lab, identifying and resolving technical bottlenecks before they impact project timelines.

About you

You are a disciplined researcher who thrives in the sometimes messy reality of a startup. You are a proactive collaborator, value transparency, and can work independently without losing sight of the team’s shared goals. You approach technical challenges with ownership and are eager to contribute to our mission of transforming biotech.

Requirements

• MSc with ≥2 years’ or BSc with ≥4 years’ relevant experience in recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization.
• Proven hands‑on experience with chromatographic purification (affinity, ion‑exchange, HIC, SEC) and filtration workflows at bench scale.
• Experience running analytical assays for product quality (SDS‑PAGE, Western, activity assays) and ability to interpret data to guide process decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experiments, prioritize competing projects, and deliver results on time.
• Strong documentation practices and experience with ELN and protocol repositories (Benchling or equivalent).
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills; comfortable working directly with upstream and engineering teams.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented, with strong attention to detail and a bias for rapid iteration and learning.

Bonus points

• Familiarity with SPR, HPLC, mass spectrometry or other analytical techniques.
• Experience with AKTA systems or automated liquid handling.
• Familiarity with insect‑based expression or other non‑traditional platforms.

Career development roadmap

Time‑based expectations for the first year.

Within 1 month

• Complete full safety and platform training for our larval recombinant‑protein system.
• Successfully execute a standard end‑to‑end purification workflow and perform fundamental analytical assays to confirm platform baseline metrics.
• Establish a daily rhythm in Benchling, ensuring all experimental designs, deviations, and results are documented with required detail.
• Integrate with the R&D team to understand current pain points in the workflows.

Within 3 months

• Identify specific bottlenecks in current purification workflows beyond following protocols.
• Begin correlating purification outcomes with upstream genetic variables to provide actionable feedback to molecular teams.
• Manage 1-2 research sub‑projects independently, meeting timelines without daily supervision.

Within 6 months

• Lead focused investigations into purification hurdles, propose and test process adjustments to improve robustness.
• Share experimental findings in cross‑functional meetings for informed decision‑making on host‑engineering strategies.
• Use and refine the modular protein toolbox to improve consistency and efficiency of standard runs.
• Explore and adopt new analytical methods to enhance protein characterization and profiling workflows.

Within 1 year

• Become a subject‑matter expert on how specific protein classes behave within the larval expression system.
• Translate experimental results into a novel methodology that expands platform capabilities (e.g., new extraction technique increasing yield >20%).

Benefits

Comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; flexible paid time off policy; and a stocked office with snacks and coffee.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to building a diverse team and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities and candidates from all backgrounds and identities.

Working eligibility

Please note that for this specific position, we are unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization; candidates must currently be legally authorized to work in Canada.