Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc. | Somerville, MA Sr. Scientist, Protein & Cell Sciences

Pioneering Medicines; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist to lead our Protein Sciences team within Research and Discovery.

This role focuses on protein expression, purification and analytical characterization to support platform development and therapeutic discovery programs. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with mammalian expression systems, protein biochemistry, and assay development, with the ability to work independently and collaborate across a

Qualifications

• PhD (or BS/MS with equivalent experience) in protein biochemistry or related field.
• 5+ years of industry experience.
• Mammalian expression, purification, and analytical characterization.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and transient transfection.
• Purification systems (FPLC) and UHPLC used to assess protein quality.
• Biophysical methods (BLI, SPR, DSF, DLS) and data analysis.
• Strong independent work and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute workflows for recombinant protein production in mammalian systems.
• Improve throughput, reproducibility, and data quality.
• Collaborate with Antibody Discovery, Engineering, and Computational Biology teams.
• Mentor junior scientists and serve as SME for production and stability.
• Maintain robust documentation and experimental rigor.
• Prepare study reports and present results to stakeholders.
• Support continuous lab operations improvement and new methods adoption.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Transient transfection

Protein purification

Analytical characterization

Data analysis

Experimental design

Mentoring/leadership

Education

PhD in protein biochemistry

BS/MS with equivalent experience

Job description

Metaphore Bio is a generative AI drug design company creating a new class of functional antibodies. We are seeking an accomplished protein scientist and leader to run and continually optimize the engine that turns computationally designed antibodies into well-characterized, developable therapeutic proteins. This is a rare opportunity to pair deep protein biochemistry and antibody purification expertise with a first-in-class AI platform - and to shape how a new modality moves from sequence to drug candidate.

Position Summary:

Metaphore Biotechnologies is seeking a highly motivated Sr. Scientist to join our Protein Sciences team within Research and Discovery. This role will focus on protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization in support of platform development and therapeutic discovery programs. The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on experience with mammalian expression systems, protein biochemistry, and assay development, along with the ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across a multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute workflows for recombinant protein production, including transient mammalian expression, purification, and quality assessment.
• Contribute to the design, execution, and troubleshooting of experiments that improve throughput, reproducibility, and data quality.
• Partner closely with Antibody Discovery, Antibody Engineering, Computational Biology, and other cross-functional teams to support integrated project execution.
• Serve as a mentor to junior team members and a subject matter expert within the company in the areas of recombinant production and protein stability metrics.
• Establish and maintain strong documentation practices, experimental rigor, and reproducible workflows.
• Prepare study reports, summarize data, and present results clearly to internal stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement of lab operations, including the adoption of new methods, tools, and workflows as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD (or BS/MS degree with equivalent level of experience) in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical engineering, structural biology, analytical chemistry, or a related field with 5+ years of industry experience.
• Experience in protein production, purification, and analytical characterization in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting responsible for regular production of milligram to grams of material on a reoccurring weekly basis.
• Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and transient transfection.
• Proficiency with protein purification systems (FPLCs and Autosamplers) and analytical systems (UHPLCs) used to assess protein quality and function.
• Experience with biophysical characterization methods such as BLI, SPR, DSF, DLS, or related approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to design, troubleshoot, and optimize experiments independently.
• Strong organizational skills, scientific rigor, and written and verbal communication skills and a record of establishing robust systems
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative, cross-functional environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with antibody discovery workflows and biologics development.
• Experience with automated multi-step midscale purification.
• Experience with production from linear DNA templates.
• Experience with bi and multi specific antibody formats.
• Experience managing direct reports or mentoring junior scientists.
• Familiarity with data capture systems and structured documentation practices.
• Exposure to assay development and validation for discovery or translational applications.

The salary range for this role is $126,000 - $181,500. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience.

Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc. currently offers healthcare coverage, annual incentive program, retirement benefits and a broad range of other benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Metaphore Biotechnologies, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.