Bioconjugations Chemist/Biochemist

TAE Life Sciences; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TAE Life Sciences is seeking a highly motivated researcher in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biology to join our Chemistry team and contribute to the development of novel antibody conjugates and targeted modalities.

The successful candidate will design, synthesize, conjugate, purify, and characterize antibody-based conjugates, with hands-on antibody conjugation, ADC preparation, and chromatography experience using ÄKTA systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Biology with hands-on antibody conjugation experience.
• Experience with antibody purification and protein chromatography using ÄKTA or equivalent.
• Proficiency in analytical and preparative HPLC for proteins, peptides, ADCs.
• Experience with polymers, peptides, and small-molecule conjugates.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize antibody conjugation and ADC preparation.
• Prepare and characterize antibody-based conjugates and boron-containing conjugates.
• Perform analytical and preparative chromatography for purification.
• Characterize purity, identity, conjugation efficiency, and stability of conjugates.
• Collaborate with Chemistry and Biology teams on experiments and troubleshooting.

Skills

Antibody conjugation

Protein chromatography

Analytical HPLC

Bioconjugation chemistry

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biology

Tools

ÄKTA systems

HPLC

SEC-HPLC

RP-HPLC

Job description

TAE Life Sciences (i.e. TAE LS) is a technology and precision medicine company based in Irvine and Santa Monica, California. Our mission is to transform the clinical management and treatment of cancer via innovative and tissue sparing neutron radiation therapy known as BNCT. We re-engineer therapeutic antibodies against biologically important targets and enable them with the ability to deliver boron to tumor followed by neutron radiation to eradicate cancer cells by an in situ alpha-particle generation nuclear fission reaction, while sparing the non-cancer i.e. normal cells. Our first neutron beam medical device, Alpha Beam™, was commissioned and began to treat cancer patients in Xiamen, China. Work to expand the TAE LS global presence is underway.

We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative researcher in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Biology to join our Chemistry team and contribute to the development of novel antibody conjugates and targeted therapeutic modalities. The successful candidate will apply sound scientific principles to the design, synthesis, conjugation, purification, and characterization of antibody-based conjugates.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with the conjugation of antibodies and/or peptides to a variety of payloads, including cytotoxins, PEG-based polymers, fluorophores, or other small molecules. Experience with antibody purification and protein chromatography, including operation of ÄKTA systems, is required. The candidate should also have demonstrated proficiency with analytical HPLC methods for protein, peptide, and ADC characterization.

As a member of the Chemistry team, the candidate will:

• Develop and optimize polymer synthesis and functionalization for antibody conjugation.
• Develop and optimize methods for conjugating polymers, peptides, and small-molecule payloads to monoclonal antibodies.
• Prepare and characterize antibody-boron conjugates.
• Perform analytical and preparative chromatography, including protein purification using ÄKTA and HPLC-based purification of conjugates and intermediates.
• Develop and execute analytical methods to characterize purity, identity, conjugation efficiency, and stability of antibody and polymer conjugates.
• Collaborate closely with Chemistry and Biology research teams to design experiments, interpret results, troubleshoot technical challenges, and advance programs.
• Contribute to the development of innovative conjugation technologies and new therapeutic modalities.

Required Qualifications

• PhD required: Chemistry/Biochemistry or Biology
• Hands-on experience with antibody conjugation/ADC preparation and characterization.
• Experience with protein purification and chromatography, including ÄKTA or equivalent systems.
• Experience with analytical and preparative HPLC.
• Experience working with proteins, peptides, polymers, and/or small-molecule conjugates.
• Strong experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).
• Experience with polymer synthesis and polymer-protein conjugation.
• Experience with site-specific or selective bioconjugation chemistry.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques used for ADC and protein characterization, such as SEC-HPLC, RP-HPLC, LC-MS, UV/Vis, and related methods.