Automated Antibody Engineering Scientist

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health / Dental / Vision Benefits Day‑

5% matching 401k

Employee stock program

Job summary

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. is seeking an Automated Antibody Engineering Scientist in Westbrook, Maine to lead molecular biology and antibody generation workflows from gene design to validated reagents for immunoassay development.

The role requires hands-on experience in primer design, cloning, protein expression across systems, and protein characterization. You will advance multiple projects in a fast-paced, collaborative setting while leveraging automation and published technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 5–7 years of lab experience or Master with 3–5 years
• Strong hands-on molecular biology skills: primer design, PCR, cloning, Gibson assembly, mutagenesis, sequence analysis
• Experience with recombinant protein/antibody expression in mammalian, insect, or bacterial systems
• Familiarity with standard protein characterization techniques (SDS‑PAGE, SEC, Western blot, ELISA)
• Experience with lab automation platforms (Hamilton, Tecan, Biomek) and protein purification (AKTA FPLC)
• Knowledge of antibody discovery platforms (hybridoma, phage display, single B‑cell cloning)
• Background in immunoassay development or in vitro diagnostics is a plus
• Excellent communication, organization, and multi-project management skills

Responsibilities

• Design and execute molecular biology workflows for antibody construct development including primer design, PCR cloning, site‑directed mutagenesis, and sequence verification
• Develop expression constructs in mammalian, insect, or bacterial systems to support high-throughput antigen production
• Execute antibody generation workflows with platform selection, screening, and hit confirmation
• Perform protein/antibody characterization using SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, BLI, and SEC
• Maintain automated liquid handling protocols to boost throughput across workflows
• Collaborate with LC/MS and genomics teams to plan antigen design and production strategies
• Partner with immunoassay teams to communicate reagent performance and meet milestones
• Generate presentations and communicate progress to cross‑functional teams
• Leverage literature to adopt new molecular biology and antibody technologies
• Document experiments and maintain compliant records, following safety and regulatory requirements

Skills

Molecular biology

Primer design

PCR

Cloning

Gibson assembly

Mutagenesis

Sequence analysis

Protein expression

Mammalian systems

Insect systems

Bacterial systems

SDS-PAGE

Western blot

ELISA

Automation platforms

AKTA FPLC

Antibody discovery platforms

Phage display

Hybridoma

Immunoassay development

BLI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology / Biochemistry / Immunology

5-7 years of lab experience or 3-5 years with Master

Tools

Hamilton

Tecan

Biomek

AKTA FPLC

Job description

The Reagent Discovery group in Discovery Tech Futures, R&D, is looking for a motivated Automated Antibody Engineering Scientist to join a team focused on developing high-throughput antibody workflows for the next generation of IDEXX diagnostics. The successful candidate will employ a broad range of molecular biology and biochemistry techniques - from gene design and cloning through antibody generation to provide validated reagents for downstream immunoassay development. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and collaborative environment.

Why This Role Matters

At IDEXX, the ability to rapidly develop high-quality antibody reagents is foundational to advancing pet health diagnostics. The Reagent Discovery team is the critical bridge between biomarker discovery and immunoassay development - and this role sits at the center of that pipeline. As a Scientist II, you will drive the molecular biology and antibody generation workflows that move novel biomarkers from target sequence to validated reagent, directly enabling new diagnostic tools for the veterinarians and pet owners we serve.

• You will need direct experience with molecular biology techniques, including primer design, gene synthesis, cloning strategies, and recombinant construct development for antibody expression.
• You have designed and executed workflows for antibody generation using recombinant antibody expression, display technologies, or a combination of platforms.
• You are comfortable working across the full bench workflow - from sequence analysis and construct design through transfection, expression, and basic protein characterization.
• You have worked cross-functionally with discovery and assay development teams, communicating experimental data clearly and aligning with stakeholders on project timelines.
• You are organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to advance multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.

In this role, you will

• Design and execute molecular biology workflows for antigen and antibody construct development, including primer design, PCR-based cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, and sequence verification.
• Develop and optimize recombinant expression constructs using mammalian, insect, or bacterial systems to support high-throughput antigen production.
• Devise and execute antibody generation workflows, including platform selection, immunization or display screening, and hit confirmation.
• Perform protein and antibody characterization utilizing standard biochemical techniques including SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, BLI, and analytical SEC.
• Develop and maintain automated liquid handling protocols to increase throughput and reproducibility across molecular biology and screening workflows.
• Collaborate with LC/MS and genomics teams to evaluate incoming biomarker targets and establish feasible antigen design and production strategies.
• Partner with downstream immunoassay development teams to communicate reagent performance data, define acceptance criteria, and meet delivery milestones.
• Generate clear, concise presentations and communicate progress updates to cross‑functional audiences.
• Leverage published literature to identify novel molecular biology, antibody generation, and expression technologies applicable to the Reagent Discovery pipeline.
• Document experiments and maintain accurate electronic records. Adheres to appropriate safety procedures and regulatory requirements.

What You Need to Succeed

• A degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or a related discipline Candidates should possess a Bachelor's with 5-7 years' of relevant laboratory experience, Master's with 3-5 years' experience of relevant laboratory experience.
• Strong hands‑on experience with molecular biology techniques including primer design, PCR, restriction enzyme cloning, Gibson assembly, site‑directed mutagenesis, and sequence analysis is a must.
• Experience with recombinant protein or antibody expression in mammalian, insect, or bacterial systems is a must.
• Familiarity with standard protein characterization techniques (e.g., SDS‑PAGE, analytical SEC, Western blot, ELISA).
• Familiarity with laboratory automation platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Biomek, or similar liquid handling systems).
• Experience in protein purification utilizing AKTA FPLC or similar instruments is a plus.
• Experience in antibody discovery platforms such as hybridoma technology, phage display, or single B‑cell cloning is a plus.
• Background in immunoassay development or in vitro diagnostics is a plus.
• Working knowledge of binding assay technologies such as BLI or SPR is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively toward a unifying set of goals.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills are a must.
• Organizational skills and ability to plan and prioritize work across multiple projects are a must.
• Takes initiative and is accountable; detail‑oriented and adaptable to shifting priorities.

What you can expect from us

• Salary range starting at $90,000 based on experience
• Opportunity for annual cash bonus
• Health / Dental / Vision Benefits Day‑One
• 5% matching 401k
• Additional benefits including but not limited to financial support, pet insurance, mental health resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donation matching, and much more

If you're looking for a role that will challenge you, offer a variety of work and learning, while helping an amazing industry, we'd love to hear from you!

Why IDEXX

We're proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve since 1983, our team members help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, ensure safe drinking water for billions, and help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.

We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you'll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.

If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you'll find it here. Let's pursue what matters together.

About the job location

If you're thinking about relocating for this role, here are a few things to know about living in Maine (often called "Vacationland"). The Westbrook, ME area provides great access to active downtown areas and the outdoors, with the coast and numerous mountains and hiking trails nearby. You'll also find a number of large companies like ours in the area, creating a vibrant work culture.

You can learn more on the Portland tourism website: https://www.visitportland.com/visit/resources/moving-to-maine/

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign‑born residents, and veterans to apply.

IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

While we appreciate our staffing partners, we are unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.