Associate Scientist/Scientist I, Analytical Development (Biologics Discovery/CMC)

Enlaza Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Equity

Health insurance

401(k)

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Flexible vacation

Paid holidays

Relocation assistance (if eligible)

Vision insurance

Year-end shutdown

Job summary

Enlaza Therapeutics in San Diego is seeking an Analytical Development Scientist to advance LC-MS-based characterization of antibodies, ADCs, and complex biologics. You will perform intact mass, peptide mapping, PTM assessments, and disulfide mapping while supporting stability studies and method development.

Join a collaborative team focused on covalent biologics; this role offers growth into a Scientist level with mentorship and cross-functional project exposure.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, or closely related field; 0–2 years of industry experience in analytical development for protein biopharmaceuticals.
• Advanced MS techniques for protein characterization, including disulfide mapping, PTM mapping, and molecular heterogeneity assessment.
• Experience with biophysical characterization to evaluate stability, aggregation, and conformational integrity.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform LC-MS-based characterization, including intact mass, subunit analysis, peptide mapping, PTM assessment, disulfide mapping, and heterogeneity analysis.
• Execute routine protein/antibody separations (SEC, HIC, IEX, icIEF, CE-SDS).
• Troubleshoot and optimize methods for antibodies, ADCs, and other engineered proteins.
• Analyze data, troubleshoot unexpected results, and communicate findings.
• Maintain electronic lab notebooks and assist in protocols/reports.
• Evaluate emerging analytical technologies and implement fit-for-purpose methods.
• Lead analytical initiatives and mentor junior team members for Scientist level.

Skills

Mass spectrometry for protein

Communication skills

Protein data interpretation

Education

Ph.D. in analytical chemistry/biochemistry or closely related field

Tools

Protein Metrics Software Suite

Job description

Enlaza Therapeutics is a biotech company developing an innovative synthetic biology platform to create a new and unique class of biological medicines. We are dedicated to the development of therapeutics for serious disease and delivering these to patients. We seek an Associate Scientist or Scientist skilled in protein science and protein characterization to help build the foundation of our team and enable our drug discovery efforts.

Position:

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Analytical Development Scientist to join our team at Enlaza’s San Diego site. The successful candidate will bring experience in analytical method development and advanced characterization of protein- and antibody-based therapeutics to support Enlaza’s covalent biologics platform.

This individual will play a key role in optimizing and executing analytical methods to characterize antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and other complex biologics. The role requires hands-on experience in separation sciences, mass spectrometry-based protein characterization, and biophysical analytical techniques to support drug discovery, lead sequence nomination, preclinical development, and early-stage manufacturing process development.

The successful candidate will apply orthogonal analytical approaches to evaluate molecular identity, purity, heterogeneity, stability, and quality. They will also support stability studies, analytical method development, and participate in cross-functional teams to advance promising candidates through early-stage development.

Responsibilities:

• Design and perform LC-MS-based characterization, including intact and reduced mass analysis, subunit analysis, peptide mapping, post-translational modification (PTM) assessment, disulfide mapping, sequence confirmation, and characterization of molecular heterogeneity. Apply appropriate mass spectrometry approaches to support protein engineering, candidate selection, and process development.
• Execute routine protein/antibody separations, including HPLC/UPLC-based size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), ion-exchange chromatography (IEX), and capillary electrophoresis techniques such as icIEF and CE-SDS
• Perform, troubleshoot, and optimize fit-for-purpose analytical methods for characterization of biologics, including antibodies, ADCs, bispecific antibodies, and other engineered protein therapeutics.
• Execute and summarize data from stability or forced degradation studies.
• Analyze analytical data, identify and troubleshoot unexpected results, and communicate scientific conclusions.
• Maintain accurate and complete records in electronic laboratory notebooks. Assist in authoring or reviewing protocols, methods and reports, and other scientific documentation.
• Evaluate emerging analytical technologies and industry advances, identify opportunities to improve analytical workflows, and implement fit-for-purpose methods to address evolving characterization needs.
• For candidates at the Scientist level, lead analytical initiatives, serve as SME in one or more analytical methods, mentor junior team members, and resolve challenging protein characterization and method development problems.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, or closely related field, with 0-2 years of industry experience (or equivalent combined education and experience) in analytical development for protein-based biopharmaceutical products
• Subject-matter expertise in advanced mass spectrometry techniques for protein structural characterization, disulfide bond analysis, PTM mapping, and molecular heterogeneity assessment; proficiency in Protein Metrics Software Suite is desirable
• Experience with biophysical and physicochemical characterization techniques to evaluate protein stability, aggregation, conformation, and molecular integrity.
• Understanding of biologics heterogeneity, degradation pathways, and analytical approaches for assessing product quality attributes.
• Experience performing stability and forced degradation studies.
• Demonstrated ability to plan experiments, troubleshoot analytical methods, interpret data, and communicate scientific findings effectively.
• Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with various mass spectrometry-based techniques to support research analytics – cross-linking MS, covalent labeling, LBA-LCMS, quantitative analysis of peptides and small molecules
• Experience with small format antibody therapeutics
• Experience as an analytical lead on a cross-functional project
• Familiarity with analytical method qualification, transfer, lifecycle management, and regulatory expectations for biologics development.
• Exposure to managing outsourced analytical testing or analytical development.

Compensation:

In addition to a competitive compensation package with stock options, the company also offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families, which includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental disability insurance.

Job Type:

Full-time

$95,000 – 135,000

Supplemental Pay Types:

Annual Bonus – 10%

Equity

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Flexible vacation
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Relocation assistance (if eligible)
• Vision insurance
• Year-end shutdown

Enlaza Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer committed to scientific excellence, innovation, and improving the lives of patients through transformative medicines.