Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Molecular Biology

Zealand Pharma; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 92,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma A/S seeks a Scientist or Senior Scientist in Molecular Biology to drive high-throughput vector design and cloning, enabling discovery across display technologies and structural biology. The role centers on building foundational molecular biology capabilities at our Cambridge, MA center, with emphasis on vector design, cloning, and cell line engineering.

You will generate constructs for challenging targets (GPCRs, multi-pass proteins), use CRISPR-Cas9 and lentiviral methods, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry or related field preferred.
• 2+ years post-degree in vector design, cloning, cell line engineering (Scientist); 4+ years (Senior Scientist).
• Expertise in high-throughput vector design and cloning workflows (Golden Gate, Gibson).
• Experience with GPCRs and multi-pass TM proteins and related targets.

Responsibilities

• Design and construct high-throughput expression vectors for recombinant protein production.
• Generate constructs and reagents for challenging targets (GPCRs, receptor-Fc fusions, biotinylated ligands).
• Engineer mammalian host cell lines using modern genome editing approaches (CRISPR-Cas9, lentiviral transduction).
• Support target bait proteins and cell lines for display, interaction studies, and structural biology workflows.

Skills

Vector design

Molecular cloning

Cell line engineering

High-throughput workflows

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing

Lentiviral transduction

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

BS/MS with significant industry experience

Tools

Golden Gate

Gibson assembly

CRISPR-Cas9

Lentiviral transduction

Job description

Does it excite you to build the molecular biology backbone that powers display technologies and structural biology, and do you have expertise in high-throughput vector design and cloning? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to enable discovery across multiple platforms, then you could be our new colleague.

Your new position

As a Scientist or Senior Scientist in Molecular Biology, you will play an important scientific role in our new Molecular Platform Development organization, driving high-throughput vector design and molecular cloning in support of biologics drug discovery. You will help build foundational molecular biology capabilities that enable display technologies, molecular interaction studies, and structural biology across the organization, at the inception of our new Cambridge, MA research center. This role suits a scientist with strong technical expertise in vector design, molecular cloning, and cell line engineering, scientific curiosity, and a desire to grow in scope and responsibility.

We Offer Exciting Responsibilities

• Design and construct expression vectors at high throughput to support recombinant protein expression, engineered cell line generation, and target reagent production across discovery programs
• Generate constructs and reagents for challenging target classes, including GPCRs and other multi-pass transmembrane proteins, receptor-Fc fusions, and biotinylated bait antigens
• Engineer mammalian and/or other host cell lines using contemporary molecular biology and genome editing approaches (e.g., lentiviral transduction, CRISPR-Cas9)
• Support generation of target bait proteins and/or target-expressing cell lines to enable yeast, phage, and mRNA display selection campaigns and molecular interaction studies
• Support generation of constructs and cell lines for structural biology workflows, including protein production for crystallography, cryo-EM, and related structural methods
• Apply cell line engineering expertise to support development of in vitro pharmacology assays, including reporter and target-expressing cell lines for functional and binding assays

Your profile

You bring strong technical expertise in vector design, molecular cloning, and cell line engineering, along with scientific curiosity and sound judgment. You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and are motivated to help build foundational capabilities that enable multiple discovery platforms. You communicate scientific data and concepts clearly and work effectively across cross-functional project teams.

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field preferred (postdoctoral training preferred); candidates with a BS/MS and significantly more relevant industry experience will also be considered
• 2+ years of relevant post-degree experience in vector design, molecular cloning, and cell line engineering (Scientist); 4+ years (Senior Scientist)
• Expertise in high-throughput vector design and molecular cloning workflows (e.g., Golden Gate, Gibson assembly) to support rapid construct generation
• Experience generating challenging target classes, such as GPCRs and other multi-pass transmembrane proteins, receptor-Fc fusions, and biotinylated bait antigens
• Experience with genome editing and engineering approaches (e.g., lentiviral transduction, CRISPR-Cas9) for generation of engineered and target-expressing cell lines
• Hands‑on experience with cell culture and expression scaling (e.g., transient to stable systems, shake flask to bioreactor) is a plus

Your new team

You will join Molecular Platform Development, a new organization created to strengthen and advance diverse drug modality capabilities in metabolic disease, based at our new Cambridge, MA research center. The site is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary discovery hub integrating computational research, chemistry, and biology, and is deeply connected to the Greater Boston life sciences ecosystem.

Let's bond and be bold

We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.

Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let's bond and be bold.

Salary Range: $125,000 - $170,000

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.

About Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced data-driven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma-invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.