GPCR Antibody Discovery & Engineering Lead

Walker Cole International; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation

401k retirement plan

Healthcare coverage

Paid time off

Family leave

Job summary

Walker Cole International is partnering with a fast-growing AI-driven biotech startup to hire a GPCR biologist for the Antibody Therapeutics team in Irvine, CA. The role blends GPCR pharmacology with antibody engineering to design next‑generation antibodies against GPCR targets.

You will work across discovery, engineering, and translational biology, develop functional assays, and collaborate with AI and structural biology groups to translate signaling insights into differentiated antibody

Qualifications

• PhD-level or equivalent with hands-on GPCR research experience.
• Deep knowledge of GPCR signaling biology including G-protein coupling and beta-arrestin pathways.
• Direct experience with GPCR functional/pharmacology assays (cAMP, calcium mobilization, BRET/FRET).
• Antibody engineering or discovery experience preferred; ability to partner with antibody engineers essential.
• Track record of advancing GPCR-targeted programs from mechanism to validated candidates.

Responsibilities

• Design and drive discovery and engineering of antibodies against GPCR targets, including agonist, antagonist, allosteric modulator, and biparatopic approaches.
• Apply GPCR structure and signaling knowledge to guide antibody design, screening, and candidate selection.
• Develop and execute functional assays (cAMP, calcium flux, BRET/FRET-based beta-arrestin recruitment, radioligand binding, receptor internalization) to characterize MOA of candidates.
• Partner with protein engineering, structural biology, and AI teams to translate GPCR biology into next-generation antibody design.
• Collaborate with in vitro and in vivo pharmacology teams to advance GPCR-targeted candidates toward IND-enabling studies.
• Present results and strategy to project teams and leadership; stay current with GPCR biology and antibody engineering literature.

Skills

GPCR signaling biology

Antibody engineering

Functional pharmacology assays

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Pharmacology/Structural Biology/Biochemistry/Cell Biology or related

Tools

cAMP assays

BRET/FRET-based assays

Radioligand binding

Job description

Walker Cole International is partnering with a fast-growing AI-driven biotech startup to hire a GPCR biologist for the Antibody Therapeutics team in Irvine, CA. The role blends GPCR pharmacology with antibody engineering to design next‑generation antibodies against GPCR targets.

You will work across discovery, engineering, and translational biology, develop functional assays, and collaborate with AI and structural biology groups to translate signaling insights into differentiated antibody