Associate Scientist, Protein Engineering

Zealand Pharma U.S., Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma U.S., Inc. in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Associate Scientist or Scientist to support discovery programs through hands-on purification, analytical characterization, and data generation for protein-based therapeutics. The role offers growth opportunities at our new research center.

You will work with FPLC-based purification (SEC, IEX, affinity) and basic analytical methods, learning advanced workflows while contributing from day one in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field (Associate Scientist); PhD preferred (Scientist)
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in protein purification and/or analytical chemistry (Associate Scientist); 2-3 years of relevant industry experience preferred (Scientist), depending on degree level
• Foundational to working knowledge of protein purification techniques, such as FPLC-based chromatography (SEC, IEX, affinity)
• Foundational to working knowledge of analytical characterization methods used to assess protein identity, purity, and concentration
• Familiarity with standard laboratory practices for handling and analyzing protein samples
• Willingness to learn additional techniques, including mass spectrometry, biophysical characterization, and automated/high-throughput workflows

Responsibilities

• Support purification of recombinant proteins to assist discovery programs from early research through lead-series selection
• Assist with FPLC-based purification workflows, including SEC, IEX, and affinity chromatography, at analytical scale, under supervision
• Perform basic analytical characterization to help confirm protein identity, purity, and concentration using standard analytical techniques
• Support the routine execution of established purification and analytical workflows within Molecular Platform Development
• Learn and apply automated and high-throughput purification and analytical workflow procedures
• Assist senior colleagues with troubleshooting of routine purification and analytical issues, while building scientific and technical skills through feedback and mentorship

Skills

Protein purification

Analytical chemistry

FPLC-based chromatography

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)

Ion-exchange chromatography (IEX)

Affinity chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Biophysical characterization

Automated/high-throughput workflows

Data communication of results

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry/Molecular Biology or related field

Master's degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry/Molecular Biology or related field

PhD preferred (Scientist)

Tools

FPLC

Job description

Your new position

As an Associate Scientist or Scientist in Protein Purification and Analysis, you will play a foundational role supporting discovery programs through hands‑on purification, analytical characterization, and data generation for protein‑based therapeutics. This position offers an excellent opportunity to build technical proficiency in modern purification and analytical technologies at the inception of our new Cambridge, MA research center. This role suits a scientist earlier in their career with a foundational understanding of protein purification and analytical techniques, scientific curiosity, and a strong desire to grow in scope and responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Support purification of recombinant proteins to assist discovery programs from early research through lead‑series selection
• Assist with FPLC‑based purification workflows, including size‑exclusion (SEC), ion‑exchange (IEX), and affinity chromatography, at analytical scale, under supervision
• Perform basic analytical characterization to help confirm protein identity, purity, and concentration using standard analytical techniques
• Support the routine execution of established purification and analytical workflows within Molecular Platform Development
• Learn and apply automated and high‑throughput purification and analytical workflow procedures
• Assist senior colleagues with troubleshooting of routine purification and analytical issues, while building scientific and technical skills through feedback and mentorship

Your profile

You are early in your career, with a foundational understanding of protein purification and analytical techniques and a strong desire to grow in scope and responsibility. You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and are eager to learn from senior colleagues while contributing to discovery programs from day one. You communicate experimental data and results clearly and accurately.

• BS or MS in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field (Associate Scientist); PhD preferred (Scientist)
• 1-2 years of relevant experience in protein purification and/or analytical chemistry (Associate Scientist); 2-3 years of relevant industry experience preferred (Scientist), depending on degree level
• Foundational to working knowledge of protein purification techniques, such as FPLC‑based chromatography (SEC, IEX, affinity)
• Foundational to working knowledge of analytical characterization methods used to assess protein identity, purity, and concentration
• Familiarity with standard laboratory practices for handling and analyzing protein samples
• Willingness to learn additional techniques, including mass spectrometry, biophysical characterization, and automated/high‑throughput workflows

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

$85,000 - $125,000

EEO Statement

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. Since our founding in 1998, Zealand Pharma has built a core expertise in the discovery, design, and development of therapeutic peptides. This expertise has led to an R&D pipeline of innovative investigational candidates designed to address a broad range of disease areas. We have four therapeutic focus areas: obesity, rare diseases, chronic inflammation, and type 1 diabetes. In obesity, our peptide capabilities place us in a unique position to address a vast global health challenge and positively impact hundreds of millions of lives. Within rare diseases, we have a long‑standing commitment to deliver new treatments to patients living with congenital hyperinsulinism and short bowel syndrome. For chronic inflammatory diseases, we are progressing peptide programs focused on high‑profile targets shown to be difficult to address with small molecules and antibodies. For type1 diabetes, we aspire to change the management of this disease. Our strategy is to pursue global co‑development and commercialization partnerships that complement and extend our capabilities across the value chain to deliver new peptide therapies to people who need them.