Research Scientist – Antibody Discovery & Optimisation

VRS Recruitment; Slough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

VRS Recruitment is seeking an experienced Research Scientist to join its Antibody Discovery & Optimisation team in a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical setting. You will work on designing, constructing and screening antibody libraries using display technologies.

The role focuses on in vitro display approaches for bovine antibodies, integrating NGS data analysis and protein engineering to advance early-stage therapeutic discovery; initial 12-month contract with extension potential.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industrial research experience.
• Strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry.
• Hands-on experience with display technologies (phage/yeast).
• Experience with NGS and computational data analysis would be highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Generate bespoke display libraries for antibody discovery and optimisation.
• Apply phage display and yeast display techniques for library screening.
• Design and screen libraries to support antibody discovery programmes.
• Prepare and analyse next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets.
• Perform binding assays to assess antibody–antigen affinity and kinetics.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of antibody discovery methodologies.
• Present scientific findings to cross-functional teams and support data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with scientists across antibody engineering, structural biology, computational design and data science.

Skills

Molecular biology

Biochemistry

Display technologies

Antibody research

Protein engineering

NGS analysis

Computational analysis

Project management

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Phage display

Yeast display

NGS platforms

Job description

Research Scientist – Antibody Discovery & Optimisation

Biopharmaceutical Company | Antibody Discovery | Molecular Biology / Protein Engineering

A leading biopharmaceutical company is looking for an experienced, laboratory-based Research Scientist to join its Antibody Discovery and Optimisation team.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge antibody discovery technologies, with a particular focus on applying in vitro display approaches to the discovery of bovine antibodies and leveraging their unique structural properties.

You will play an important role in designing, constructing and screening antibody libraries, supporting early-stage therapeutic discovery while also contributing to the development and improvement of the company's discovery platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate bespoke display libraries for antibody discovery and optimisation.
• Apply phage display and yeast display techniques for library screening.
• Design and screen libraries to support antibody discovery programmes.
• Prepare and analyse next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets.
• Perform binding assays to assess antibody-antigen affinity and kinetics.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of antibody discovery methodologies.
• Present scientific findings to cross-functional teams and support data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with scientists across antibody engineering, structural biology, computational design and data science.

About You

We're looking for a scientist with:

• A strong background in molecular biology and biochemistry.
• A PhD or equivalent industrial research experience.
• Hands‑on experience with display technologies, particularly phage or yeast display.
• Experience in antibody research and/or protein engineering.
• Experience with NGS and computational data analysis would be highly advantageous.
• Strong laboratory skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication, organisation and teamwork skills.
• A genuine interest in applying innovative technologies to antibody drug discovery.

This role is offered on an initial 12 month contract with realistic potential for extension.

This is a great opportunity to join a collaborative antibody discovery team and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches across multiple disease areas.

Keywords: antibody, discovery, pharmaceutical, display technology, phage display, yeast display, NGS, next generation sequencing, research, development, Slough, London, Reading, Oxford, VRS9531SE