Associate Director, Protein Sciences

Alector, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Alector, Inc. in South San Francisco seeks an experienced Protein Sciences leader to oversee internal and CRO-driven protein science activities, train colleagues, and guide antibody–oligonucleotide conjugate programs.

You will manage a small team, partner with discovery and development groups, and drive developability and analytical strategies while integrating new AI tools to accelerate programs.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, protein sciences, or related; 8+ years in biotech/pharma, or MS/MSc with 10+ years.
• Leadership experience in protein sciences, with staff development and external collaboration.
• Proven track record advancing therapeutic proteins/antibodies from discovery toward development.
• Hands-on production, purification, characterization, and analytical methods; AKTA/HPLC mass spec familiarity.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and CRO protein science activities to deliver proteins and conjugates for programs.
• Build and evolve purification, conjugation, and analytical capabilities for antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates.
• Mentor a small Protein Sciences team and manage external CRO partnerships.
• Drive development strategy addressing developability and manufacturing considerations.

Skills

Leadership

Protein sciences

AI/LLMs in research

Team mentoring

External collaboration

Education

PhD in biochemistry or related

MS with 10+ years experience

Tools

AKTA

HPLC

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Our mission is to develop therapies that empower the immune system to combat neurodegeneration and our team is focused on developing treatments for some of the most challenging diseases facing our society. By harnessing advancements in genetics, immunology and neuroscience, we are pioneering the development of potential therapies to counteract the devastating progression of neurodegeneration. We are supported in this mission by experienced and accomplished scientists and clinicians, a novel portfolio of programs, leading healthcare investors, and pharma company partners, who share in our commitment to bettering the lives of patients and realizing a world where we make brain disorders history.

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Protein Sciences leader to oversee protein science activities conducted internally and through external CRO partners. This is an opportunity to join Alector at a critical inflection point, lead and develop a small internal team, and build new capabilities supporting our growing focus on antibody–oligonucleotide conjugate therapeutics. This individual will serve as a cross‑functional scientific connector and directly manage members of the Protein Sciences team. The ideal candidate combines strong people leadership and external‑partner oversight with a willingness to work in the laboratory to train colleagues, introduce new techniques, and troubleshoot complex technical challenges.

Key Goals & Accountabilities

• Advance our Protein Sciences strategy. Lead internal and external Protein Sciences activities to deliver high-quality proteins and conjugates that support Alector’s research and development programs.
• Build capabilities for emerging modalities. Establish and evolve protein purification, conjugation, and analytical capabilities to advance antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates and other emerging program needs.
• Develop the team and scale our impact. Manage, mentor, and develop a small Protein Sciences team while providing hands‑on technical guidance and effectively leveraging external CRO partners to meet program priorities and timelines.
• Accelerate programs from research toward development. Partner across discovery, platform, development, CMC, and other teams to advance lead candidates, ensuring production and analytical strategies address developability, process viability, and manufacturing considerations.
• Innovate how we work. Integrate new technologies, including AI and large language models, into Protein Sciences workflows to accelerate programs, generate insights, and use resources more effectively.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, protein sciences, or a related scientific discipline with 8+ years of relevant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience, or an equivalent combination of MS/MSc with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Significant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience in protein sciences, therapeutic antibodies, or related biologic modalities, including experience leading and developing scientific staff.
• Demonstrated history of advancing therapeutic proteins or antibodies from research and discovery toward development, including familiarity with developability and CMC considerations.
• Broad scientific expertise across protein production, purification, characterization, and analytical methods, with hands‑on experience using FPLC/AKTA and familiarity with HPLC, mass spectrometry, or related analytical platforms.
• Active user of large language models (LLMs), with a strong interest in applying evolving AI technologies to scientific research and drug development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience with antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates or closely related conjugated biologic modalities.
• Experience managing external CRO partnerships; experience working with WuXi Biologics or similarly fast‑paced global CROs is a plus.

$200,000 - $225,000 a year

At Alector, our vision is bold, people are our priority, and our values are at the core of everything we do. Our dynamic and flexible environment encourages our teams to experiment, take ownership of decisions, and question convention to solve complex problems. We value shared wins, perseverance, and a growth mindset, which drives us forward, together.

Among the things you'll discover at Alector from your very first day are our committed and driven colleagues, a bold company vision, and new, modern offices designed to inspire innovation and collaboration in South San Francisco, right at the heart of Biotech Bay. Our benefits are thoughtfully designed around Alectorians and their loved ones and include flexible hybrid work options, competitive compensation, and comprehensive and unique benefits that enhance your health and well-being.

We believe that hard‑working teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who can challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives and bring creative ideas to the table. We are committed to building an open, diverse, and inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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