Lead Scientist, Antibody Discovery & Characterisation

RQ Biotechnology Ltd.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

RQ Biotechnology Ltd. in London is seeking a Principal Scientist to own antibody characterisation and screening strategy across our next-generation discovery programmes.

You will decide how antibodies are tested, interpret data, set progression criteria, and drive candidate selection with discovery, engineering, computational and virology colleagues. You will stay hands-on to troubleshoot assays and mentor scientists.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, protein science or related field.
• Significant therapeutic antibody or biologics discovery experience in biotech or pharma.
• Deep SPR expertise; central to the role.
• Experience with BLI, ELISA and complementary protein/antibody characterisation methods.
• Track record of using characterisation data to drive lead optimisation and candidate selection.
• Strong knowledge of antibody structure-function and developability.
• Experience leading scientific projects or workstreams and CRO/external partner management.
• Team leadership or line-management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead biochemical and biophysical characterisation and optimisation of therapeutic antibodies.
• Define screening strategies, experimental approaches and progression criteria across the cascade.
• Design and oversee SPR/BLI, ELISA, binding, kinetics, specificity, stability and developability assays.
• Integrate characterisation and functional data to identify liabilities and progress antibodies.
• Lead multiple concurrent discovery and optimisation workstreams.
• Collaborate with antibody discovery, engineering, computational and virology teams.
• Manage CROs and external scientific partners.
• Remain hands-on to troubleshoot laboratory work.
• Mentor scientists, with potential line-management responsibility.
• Contribute to preclinical characterisation and next-generation formats including multispecifics and antibody conjugates.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Project management

Data-driven decision making

Mentoring/line-management

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD in biochemistry/biophysics/protein science or related field

Tools

SPR

BLI

ELISA

Developability assays

Job description

RQ Biotechnology Ltd. in London is seeking a Principal Scientist to own antibody characterisation and screening strategy across our next-generation discovery programmes.

You will decide how antibodies are tested, interpret data, set progression criteria, and drive candidate selection with discovery, engineering, computational and virology colleagues. You will stay hands-on to troubleshoot assays and mentor scientists.