Senior Scientist (SS), Antibody and Discovery Engineering

FairJourney Biologics; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in biologics seeks a Senior Scientist for its expanding Discovery & Engineering Unit in Cambridge. This role involves leading antibody discovery projects, managing teams, and providing lab-based expertise in a collaborative environment. Candidates should have significant industry experience and a passion for innovative therapeutic solutions.

Benefits

Attractive salary & benefits package

Generous parental leave policies

On-site gym with wellness programs

Networking events with local companies

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience in antibody drug discovery.
• Demonstrable understanding of therapeutic antibody formats.
• Experience in project and line management desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead antibody discovery programs ensuring timely high-quality outcomes.
• Independent design and execution of experiments.
• Manage client relationships and project decisions.

Skills

Antibody drug discovery

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Leadership

Education

PhD in Antibody Discovery or related field

Tools

Phage display

Mammalian display

Flow cytometry

ELISA

Biochemical assays

Job description

Senior Scientist (SS), Antibody and Discovery Engineering

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Our Organization

FairJourney Biologics acquired IONTAS in 2020 which is now one of our key innovation and technology centres. This site is located at the Unity Campus, south of Cambridge, a growing hub for life sciences and technology organizations. FairJourney Biologics operates across three global sites (Porto – Portugal, Cambridge – UK, and San Francisco – USA), and is dedicated to discovering high-quality biologics drug candidates for our partners, providing solutions to their technical challenges and helping them bring life-changing medicines to patients.

Our antibody discovery and engineering services have benefitted over 200 biotech and pharma partners worldwide. With more than 1,000 completed projects utilising a range of molecular formats and 20 clinical-stage molecules, we are internationally recognized for tackling novel and challenging discovery programs. Our expertise in Phage and Mammalian Display platforms enables us to push the boundaries of antibody discovery, driving innovation for next-generation therapeutics.

The Role

We are seeking a highly capable and enthusiastic Senior Scientist to join the expanding Discovery & Engineering Unit at our South Cambridgeshire site (DEU III). Teamwork is a key skill for this role - Senior Scientists are the highest-level lab-based role in FairJourney Biologics, providing lab-based leadership and collaborating with internal experts in antibody discovery & display technologies.

You will use your keen interest and expertise in Biologics drug discovery to shape and deliver projects involving identification, optimisation and screening of novel antibody-based therapeutics, applying and refining our (phage and mammalian) display technologies and engineering methods. This will be an onsite and predominantly lab-based role, reporting to a team leader.

Your responsibilities will include the independent design and execution of experiments, data analysis and interpretation and communication of the findings to the team and clients. Your responsibilities will include providing technical training to more junior team members and this role is expected to include line management responsibilities. A positive and solution focused mindset is required to deliver on a wide range of innovative and intellectually challenging projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead antibody discovery programs using phage and/or mammalian display, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
• Manage and strengthen client and internal stakeholder relationships to drive project success.
• Apply your knowledge of antibody drug discovery to shape and guide project decisions in collaboration with team leaders and clients.
• Initiate and lead novel research directions and strategic initiatives to advance business objectives.
• Work with the Technology Unit to evaluate and integrate novel platforms to the drug discovery process. As a line manager, support individuals to deliver project work and develop professionally.
• Collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data to inform decision-making.
• Present findings and progress updates to senior management, partners, and at scientific conferences.

Your Profile

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Antibody Discovery, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Immunology, or a related field.
• 6+ years of hands-on experience in antibody drug discovery, preferably within industry, with a demonstrable understanding of therapeutic antibody formats, structures and sequences.
• Practical experience in antibody display technologies (e.g. phage/mammalian display)
• Experience in antibody display library construction would be an advantage.
• In-depth understanding and practical research experience of molecular biology and cellular biology techniques, including DNA cloning and mammalian cell culture.
• Experience of antibody isolation and engineering for optimisation.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry & FACS.
• Demonstrable experience in in vitro cell-based assays (e.g. reporter,TDCC).
• Experience in biochemical assays, (e.g. ELISA, SPR).
• Excellent data analysis, interpretation and problem-solving skills.
• Influencing skills to shape project decisions and direction.
• Ability to plan time and prioritise work.
• Maintain clear written records in a timely manner.
• The ability to present and communicate effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prior experience in project and line management is desirable.

Be Part of a Global Team

By being part of the FairJourney Biologics family, you will be collaborating with teams in Porto, Cambridge, and San Francisco. You’ll have the opportunity to work alongside world-class scientists, share insights across sites, and contribute to groundbreaking antibody discovery projects.

Innovating the Future of Therapeutic Antibodies

IONTAS was co-founded in 2012 by John McCafferty, a pioneer of antibody phage display technology, which contributed to the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. By integrating phage and mammalian display expertise, we deliver high-affinity, developable antibodies that are shaping the future of drug discovery.

As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, there is a growing reliance on specialized CROs to drive innovation in antibody discovery. With an increasing number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies outsourcing their research, FairJourney Biologics is well positioned for long-term growth and expanding opportunities.

• Be part of a dynamic, motivated team at our expanding Cambridge site.
• Contribute to projects that impact partners, patients, and the broader scientific community.
• Attractive salary & benefits package, including pension and life insurance.
• Generous parental leave policies
• Unity Campus is a growing site with a range of perks, including networking events with other local companies, seminars, and an on-site gym with personal training, yoga, and wellness programs.

A Culture That Empowers

We foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. At FairJourney Biologics, your ideas and contributions matter – helping us transform antibody discovery and deliver next-generation therapeutics.

Applications must be submitted directly through our website.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Science

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