Research Associate, Phage Display

Orion Pharma; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Pharma’s Biologics R&D Centre in Cambridge invites applications for a Research Associate to support phage display-based antibody discovery campaigns and to help establish a state-of-the-art platform within Orion's growing organisation.

The successful candidate will contribute to target screening, library construction, sample preparation for sequencing, data analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams while upholding safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology or related field, with at least 3 years’ antibody discovery experience.
• Hands-on experience with phage display technologies for antibody discovery or protein engineering.
• Experience with PCR, cloning, DNA assembly, plasmid preparation and sequence verification.

Responsibilities

• Support and ultimately execute phage display selection campaigns against a variety of therapeutic targets.
• Assist in antibody screening for hit identification using binding and functional assays.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing and analyse selection outputs to monitor enrichment, diversity and lead identification.
• Contribute to the construction of phage-antibody libraries and maintain high-quality experimental records.

Skills

Phage display

Antibody discovery

Molecular biology

PCR & cloning

NGS data analysis

Data quality management

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in molecular biology

Tools

Phage display platform

NGS library preparation

Job description

Job Description The Antibody Engineering group is a unit within the newly established Orion Biologics R&D UK Centre whose main responsibility is to discover and develop biologics for clinical use from early research into clinical development. Biologics R&D Centre represents a central piece in the long-term vision of expansion into biologics modalities by Orion Pharma. The Centre’s mission is to accelerate the company's biologics research and development efforts. The Biologics R&D Centre will complement Orion's existing R&D efforts in Finland, where the company was founded in 1917. Currently, Orion possesses all the functional capabilities necessary for small molecule discovery and development in Finland. Orion’s expansion into Cambridge, UK marks a pivotal step in building future innovative biologics treatments, including multi-specific antibodies, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), and Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cells (CAR-T). Independently of geography, Orion Pharma is committed to upholding key Nordic values. The company has created a culture of straightforward and honest interactions, and its management emphasizes the balance of professional and home life, leading to happier and motivated employees. This motivation is key to meeting the company’s bold mission of becoming a powerhouse of biologics discovery and development. We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support and execute phage display-based antibody discovery campaigns. The successful candidate will contribute to the identification and characterisation of novel therapeutic biologics, working closely with scientists across antibody discovery. This role offers the opportunity to help establish and expand a state-of-the-art phage display platform within Orion's growing Biologics R&D organisation. Key responsibilities include the following:

• Support and ultimately execute phage display selection campaigns against a variety of therapeutic targets.
• Assist in antibody screening for hit identification using a variety of binding and functional assays.
• Track, catalogue and appropriately store phage outputs, clones and campaign samples throughout the discovery process.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing and analyse selection outputs to monitor enrichment, diversity and support lead identification. Support antibody optimisation activities, including affinity maturation and reformatting of selected clones
• Contribute to the construction of phage-antibody libraries for antibody discovery and engineering projects.
• Maintain high-quality experimental records, analyse results and communicate findings clearly
• Help maintain complementary laboratory infrastructure, reagents, equipment and inventories required for phage display and molecular biology workflows
• Understand and comply with Orion Pharma safety, quality and regulatory policies and relevant government regulations.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with phage display technologies for antibody discovery and/or protein engineering purposes.
• Practical experience in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, cloning, DNA assembly, plasmid preparation and sequence verification
• Experience handling large sample sets, with strong organisational skills and attention to data quality
• Familiarity with NGS library preparation and analysis of sequence datasets will be a bonus, along with antibody screening and characterisation.
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• A proactive, practical and scientifically curious approach to experimental work.
• An ability to contribute within a team environment and create positive collaborations with cross‑functional Research & Development teams

Description of our organisation Orion Pharma’s Innovative Medine’s innovations are within its R&D organization. The organization employs top professionals in the field of drug discovery and development. There are around 400 professionals working in R&D. Orion R&D has offices in Espoo, Turku and Kuopio in Finland, in Nottingham, UK, and in Boston, USA. We offer The opportunity to be a key member of the discovery team as it expands and enhances its antibody discovery capabilities. This is a wonderful opportunity for an enthusiastic scientist to enhance their development and make a significant contribution to a growing biologics organisation, with the full support of Orion Pharma iMeds/R&D. A highly innovative R&D pipeline and enthusiastic working environment with possibilities to use your own strengths to advance your competence and career. The exciting potential to innovate and have an impact on future therapies for patients. An excellent working atmosphere based on the appreciation of colleagues, continuous development, and mutual trust. Our expectations: A master’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology or a related subject area and should have at least 3 years experience and/or relevant industrial experience in antibody discovery.