PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST - LEAD IDENTIFICATION

IGI; Lausanne; Hybrid; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Iginnovate in Lausanne, Switzerland, is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead antibody discovery and engineering efforts for multispecific antibodies. You will design libraries, lead campaigns, and perform high-throughput screening using SPR/ELISA/flow cytometry.

The role demands hands-on protein engineering with display systems, molecular biology expertise, and strong communication to multidisciplinary teams. Join a vibrant Biotech hub at Biopôle for innovative drug discovery.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. entry level or MSc degree in biotechnology, biochemistry or related discipline is required.
• At least 5 years of relevant industrial experience is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with protein engineering using display systems (phage, yeast or mammalian display) is required.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, RT-PCR, PCR, cloning, primer design) and DNA sequence analysis software is required.
• Experience with protein expression and characterization (e.g. SDS-PAGE, SEC) is required.
• Experience with protein-protein interaction technologies (e.g. SPR/BLI) would be a plus.
• Strong English communication skills, both oral and written
• Rigorous, excellent organization skills, autonomous, hands-on and team minded
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to present to all levels of the organization
• Proven experience in problem analysis/solving
• Proactive, reactive and adaptable

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of antibody discovery platform by designing and generating novel antibody libraries for phage, yeast or mammalian display applications.
• Lead and perform antibody discovery campaign using phage, yeast or mammalian display.
• Perform high-throughput screening of antibodies using SPR, ELISA, or flow cytometry.
• DNA sequence analysis of selected antibodies (Sanger or NGS).
• Clone, express, and purify therapeutic antibodies.
• Characterize antibody candidates using analytical methods (e.g. SDS-PAGE, SEC, DSF, AC-SINS, polyreactivity) and flow-cytometry.
• Develop and perform protein-protein interaction assays, including kinetic, epitope binning, blocking assays (ELISA, SPR, BLI).
• Participate in streamlining antibody discovery processes by implementing new technologies and adopting AI/ML.
• Effectively support projects and accomplish goals under project timelines.
• Interface with multiple discovery project and matrix teams across the organization
• Effectively communicate research progress and opportunities to senior management
• Support a culture that embraces scientific excellence, continuous learning, and increasing team’s ability to deliver novel drug candidates

Skills

Protein engineering

Antibody display

Phage/yeast/mammalian display

Molecular biology

Protein expression

Biophysical characterization

SPR/BLI

Data analysis

English communication

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. or MSc in biotechnology/biochemistry or related field

Tools

DNA sequence analysis tools

Job description

PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST - LEAD IDENTIFICATION

The successful candidate will join an innovative Antibody Discovery and Engineering department with a strong record of success in developing novel antibody therapeutics in the field of immune-oncology and autoimmune diseases. We are looking for a motivated and talented scientist with deep understanding and strong hands-on experience in antibody display technologies, antibody expression and biophysical characterization to support the discovery of next generation MultispecificTM antibodies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development of antibody discovery platform by designing and generating novel antibody libraries for phage, yeast or mammalian display applications.
• Lead and perform antibody discovery campaign using phage, yeast or mammalian display.
• Perform high-throughput screening of antibodies using techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), ELISA, or flow cytometry.
• DNA sequence analysis of selected antibodies (Sanger or NGS)
• Clone, express, and purify therapeutic antibodies.
• Characterize antibody candidates using analytical methods (e.g. SDS-PAGE, SEC, DSF, AC-SINS, polyreactivity) and flow-cytometry.
• Develop and perform protein-protein interaction assays, including kinetic, epitope binning, blocking assays (ELISA, SPR, BLI)
• Participate in streamlining antibody discovery processes by implementing new technologies and adopting AI/ML.
• Effectively support projects and accomplish goals under project timelines.
• Interface with multiple discovery project and matrix teams across the organization
• Effectively communicate research progress and opportunities to senior management
• Support a culture that embraces scientific excellence, continuous learning, and increasing team’s ability to deliver novel drug candidates

EDUCATION AND DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. entry level or MSc degree in biotechnology, biochemistry or related discipline is required. At least 5 years of relevant industrial experience is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with protein engineering using display systems (phage, yeast or mammalian display) is required.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, RT-PCR, PCR, cloning, primer design) and DNA sequence analysis software is required.
• Experience with protein expression and characterization (e.g. SDS-PAGE, SEC) is required.
• Experience with protein-protein interaction technologies (e.g. SPR/BLI) would be a plus.
• Strong English communication skills, both oral and written
• Rigorous, excellent organization skills, autonomous, hands-on and team minded
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to present to all levels of the organization
• Proven experience in problem analysis/solving
• Proactive, reactive and adaptable

LOCATION

You will join us, a vibrant biotech community at the Biopôle (https://www.biopole.ch/) overlooking the beautiful shores of Geneva lake in Lausanne, Switzerland.