Scientist/Sr. Scientist, mRNA Display

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

Job summary

Zealand Pharma A/S, a biotechnology company focused on obesity and metabolic health, is building a new Molecular Platform Development hub in Cambridge, MA. We seek a Scientist or Senior Scientist in mRNA Display to lead peptide and mini-protein discovery through hands-on mRNA display and related in vitro workflows.

You will design and operate a modern display platform, apply non-canonical amino acid incorporation, and collaborate with computational modeling and data science colleagues to

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related field preferred; postdoctoral training preferred; BS/MS with relevant experience may be considered
• 2+ years post-degree experience in mRNA display or related in vitro display tech (Scientist); 4+ years (Senior Scientist)
• Experience building custom cell-free display systems from scratch; familiarity with other in vitro display platforms is a plus
• Experience incorporating non-canonical amino acids via reprogrammed translation systems or related approaches

Responsibilities

• Execute the full peptide and mini-protein mRNA display workflow from library design to selection and enrichment
• Apply non-canonical amino acid incorporation to expand library diversity
• Implement chemical modification strategies to improve potency and stability
• Build and maintain custom cell-free display systems from scratch
• Generate SAR data to support lead optimization and collaborate across DMTA cycles

Skills

mRNA display workflow

Non-canonical amino acids

Cell-free display systems

NGS data analysis

LC-MS / peptide analysis

Education

PhD in Chemical Biology/Biochemistry/Organic Chemistry

BS/MS with significant industry experience

Tools

IVTT

Cell-free systems

Ribosome display

Flexizyme methods

Job description

Does it excite you to work at the frontier of peptide and mini-protein drug discovery, and do you have hands‑on experience with mRNA display technology? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to help build a new discovery platform from the ground up, then you could be our new colleague.

Your new position

As a Scientist or Senior Scientist in mRNA Display, you will play a central scientific role in our new Molecular Platform Development organization, driving peptide and mini‑protein discovery through mRNA display technology. You will help build and operate a modern, high‑throughput display platform at the inception of our new Cambridge, MA research center. This role suits a scientist with strong technical expertise across the full mRNA display workflow, scientific curiosity, and a desire to grow in scope and responsibility.

We Offer Exciting Responsibilities

• Execute the full peptide and mini‑protein mRNA display workflow, from library design and in‑vitro transcription/translation through puromycin‑based fusion, selection, and enrichment
• Apply expertise in non‑canonical amino acid incorporation to expand chemical diversity within display libraries
• Apply chemical modification strategies—including macrocyclization/stapling, lipidation, and bioconjugation to improve potency, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties
• Build and maintain custom cell‑free display systems in‑house, including establishing mRNA display platforms from scratch
• Generate and analyze structure‑activity relationship (SAR) data to support optimization of selected hits, contributing to lead and backup candidate selection
• Collaborate with computational modeling, design, and data science colleagues to support efficient DMTA cycles

Your profile

• PhD in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, 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 mRNA display or related in‑vitro display technologies (Scientist); 4+ years (Senior Scientist)
• Experience building custom cell‑free display systems from scratch strongly preferred; experience with other in‑vitro display technologies (e.g., ribosome display) and cell‑free protein/peptide expression systems (e.g., IVTT, CFS) is a plus
• Experience incorporating non‑canonical amino acids via reprogrammed translation systems (e.g., flexizyme‑based methods) or related approaches
• Experience applying next‑generation sequencing (NGS) to analyze library diversity and selection enrichment; familiarity with associated bioinformatics is a plus
• Familiarity with analytical characterization of peptides (e.g., LC‑MS‑based methods) and peptide developability considerations (stability, solubility, manufacturability)

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.