GPCR Biologist — Antibody Discovery & Engineering

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

Our client is an AI-driven biotech startup integrating high-throughput biology with generative AI to discover and develop antibody therapeutics with exceptional speed and quality. Through multiple pharma partnerships, the platform has been validated to deliver best-in-class, differentiated antibodies that are difficult to identify using traditional approaches including antibodies against targets long considered "undruggable" with biologics, such as GPCRs.

Position Summary: Our client is seeking a GPCR biologist to join their Antibody Therapeutics team and help build out a growing effort to target G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) with next-generation antibody therapeutics, spanning receptor agonists, antagonists, allosteric modulators, and internalizing biparatopic approaches. This role sits at the intersection of classical GPCR pharmacology and antibody engineering: someone who genuinely understands receptor signaling not just binding and can translate that mechanistic insight into differentiated antibody design.

This is a rare, high-impact opportunity to shape a novel area of the company's antibody pipeline within a fast-growing, AI-driven biotherapeutics company focused on cardiometabolic, immunology, and CNS disease. This is a bench-facing, on-site position based in Irvine, CA. Level is flexible, Scientist through Director, with final title determined based on experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and drive discovery and engineering of antibodies against GPCR targets, including agonist, antagonist, allosteric modulator, and internalizing/biparatopic approaches.
• Apply deep knowledge of GPCR structure and downstream signaling G-protein coupling, beta-arrestin recruitment, biased agonism, receptor internalization to guide antibody design, screening, and candidate selection strategy.
• Develop and execute functional assays (e.g. cAMP, calcium flux, BRET/FRET-based beta-arrestin recruitment, radioligand binding, receptor internalization) to characterize the mechanism of action of antibody candidates.
• Partner closely with protein engineering, structural biology, and computational/AI teams to translate GPCR biology insight into next-generation antibody design.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with in vitro and in vivo pharmacology teams to advance GPCR-targeted candidates toward IND-enabling studies.
• Present experimental results, mechanistic rationale, and program strategy to project teams and leadership.
• Stay current with GPCR biology, receptor pharmacology, and antibody engineering literature and technologies.

Professional Experience and Qualifications:

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Pharmacology, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline, with hands-on GPCR research experience. Years of experience are flexible candidates from Scientist through Director level will be considered.
• Deep working knowledge of GPCR signaling biology, including G-protein coupling, beta-arrestin pathways, biased agonism, allosteric modulation, and receptor internalization mechanisms is a must.
• Direct experience with GPCR functional/pharmacology assays (cAMP, calcium mobilization, BRET/FRET-based recruitment assays, radioligand binding, etc.) is a must.
• Antibody engineering or antibody discovery experience is strongly preferred; at minimum, genuine enthusiasm for and ability to partner closely with antibody engineers is essential.
• Track record of advancing GPCR-targeted programs from mechanistic understanding into validated candidate molecules.
• Self-motivated, hands-on, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, early-stage biotech environment without reliance on large-company infrastructure.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex mechanistic and pharmacology data clearly to cross-functional teams and leadership.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience and level, including salary, equity, and benefits.

Why Join:

• Work on one of the genuinely novel, differentiated frontiers of antibody discovery GPCRs have been historically intractable for biologics, and this platform is built to go after them.
• Competitive compensation, comprehensive healthcare coverage, equity participation, family leave, paid time off, and 401k retirement plan.
• A dynamic, early-stage, highly interdisciplinary team with a collaborative, innovation-driven culture and genuine ownership over your area of science.
• Professional growth opportunities through mentoring, training, and cross-functional immersion in a fast-scaling antibody discovery platform.