Principal Associate Scientist/Scientist-Display Platform & Directed Evolution

Prellis Biologics; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare plans

401(k) plan

Holiday package with winter shutdown

Job summary

Prellis Biologics in Berkeley, CA seeks a Principal Associate Scientist/Scientist to lead discovery and enrichment of antibody hits through display platforms and directed evolution. You will execute affinity-maturation campaigns and drive library design with cross-functional teams, partnering with Data Science for ML-driven antibody design.

A dynamic, hands-on role within a high-throughput discovery group awaits.

Qualifications

• PhD with 2+ years in molecular/cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related field; or BSc/MSc with 5+ years direct relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience deploying display platforms for antibody discovery and improvement.
• Experience designing and constructing diversity libraries for antibody engineering.
• Familiarity with directed evolution methods (PACE / OrthoRep / site-directed etc.).
• DNA assembly, cloning, cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and mammalian cell culture.
• Biophysical antibody characterization assays (SPR, BLI, ELISA) and data-driven engineering.
• Vendor/CRO oversight for library synthesis and antibody characterization.
• Strong quantitative data analysis and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Scope, build, deploy, and execute display and directed evolution campaigns for hit discovery and maturation.
• Lead design and sourcing of diversity libraries in collaboration with internal teams.
• Scope and deploy methods to screen against challenging targets.
• Scale automation (Biomek, Lynx, Hamilton) to accelerate campaigns.
• Collaborate with Data Science/AI for library design and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Coordinate with Antibody Protein Engineering for lead optimization transitions.
• Evaluate and integrate new display platforms and methods.
• Drive downstream characterization of optimized antibodies.

Skills

Display platforms

Directed evolution

Antibody engineering

AI/ML collaboration

Biophysical characterization

Data analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Education

PhD + 2+ years relevant industry experience

BSc/MSc + 5+ years direct relevant industry experience

Tools

Automation platforms (Biomek, Lynx, Hamilton)

DNA assembly and cloning tools

Flow cytometry / FACS

Job description

The heart of Prellis Bio’s strategy is the combination of novel, cutting-edge methods in machine learning, biology at scale, and next-gen antibody discovery that address long-standing industry-wide problems in the drug development pipeline. Prellis Biologics uses proprietary technology to 3D print human lymph node organoids, enabling the rapid & diverse discovery of human antibody therapeutic candidates for a range of applications. To drive this forward, we are assembling an incredible team of discovery biologists, computational scientists, and protein scientists who want to make a difference to this important problem.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Principal Associate Scientist / Scientist — Display Platforms & Directed Evolution to join our dynamic team in support of our antibody engineering effort. You will lead discovery and enrichment of antibody hits through display platforms and directed evolution, and execute affinity-maturation campaigns to advance lead molecules. You will be responsible for:

• Leading display and directed evolution campaigns — from library construction through screening, selection, and hit characterization — to drive discovery, enrichment, and affinity maturation of antibody candidates.
• Expanding our display platform portfolio — deploying new display formats (yeast, phage, mammalian, ribosome), screening strategies for challenging targets, and diversity library approaches to enable next-generation antibody discovery.
• Screening AI/ML-designed variants at scale — executing display campaigns that test ML-designed antibody variants and generate high-quality datasets to inform Prellis’s next-generation antibody design models, in close partnership with the Data Science team.

This role sits within a highly cross-functional High Throughput Discovery group, with significant opportunities to grow and take on new responsibilities. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, hands-on environment and play a critical role in delivering life-changing therapeutics.

Responsibilities

• Scope, build, deploy, and execute display and directed evolution campaigns (yeast, phage, mammalian, ribosome, or comparable) for hit discovery, enrichment, and affinity maturation of lead molecules — both independently and collaboratively with up- and downstream teams to achieve program goals.
• Lead the design and sourcing of diversity libraries for display campaigns — including collaboration with internal computational design and program teams, construction and QC of libraries, and scoping/outsourcing of library construction.
• Scope and deploy methods and tools to screen against challenging targets.
• Deploy and scale automation (Biomek, Lynx, Hamilton, or similar) to accelerate display campaigns and library QC.
• Partner with Data Science / AI/ML on library design and hit-to-lead optimization — executing display screens on ML-designed variants and leveraging computational models to inform display strategies.
• Partner closely with the Antibody Protein Engineering team on hit-to-lead transitions and lead-molecule optimization campaigns.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging display platforms and directed evolution methods to expand Prellis’s engineering capabilities.
• Drive and/or facilitate downstream characterization of optimized antibodies, including detailed biophysical and functional characterization.

Qualifications

• Scientist (PhD + 2+ years relevant industry experience) or Principal Associate Scientist (BSc/MSc + 5+ years direct relevant industry experience) in molecular/cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience developing and deploying display platforms (yeast, phage, mammalian, ribosome, or comparable) for antibody discovery and improvement.
• Hands-on experience scoping, designing, and constructing diversity libraries for antibody engineering and improvement; working understanding of current state-of-the-art methods and products regarding diversity libraries.
• Familiarity with directed evolution methods (site-directed, error-prone, CDR-walking, continuous evolution / PACE / OrthoRep, or comparable).
• Skilled in DNA assembly, cloning, cell-based assays, flow cytometry / FACS, and mammalian cell culture.
• Working understanding of biophysical antibody characterization assays (e.g. SPR, BLI, ELISA) and experience effectively using them to achieve engineering goals.
• Experience with vendor / CRO oversight for library synthesis and antibody characterization.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills with working understanding of statistics.
• Strong project management skills from planning to execution, with track record of successfully driving and completing complex technical projects.
• Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences; able to work independently and collaboratively across teams.

Bonus Experience

• Hands-on experience with continuous directed evolution (OrthoRep, PACE, or comparable).
• Hands-on experience in multiple display platforms (e.g. mammalian, ribosome, phage) and ability to make recommendations based on goal.
• Hands-on experience designing and driving pooled screening campaigns for antibody/protein engineering, including lentivirus generation, transduction, selection/enrichment strategy, and genotyping.
• Working understanding of laboratory automation platforms (e.g. Biomek, Lynx, Hamilton, Tecan) and how to effectively deploy them to accelerate antibody/protein engineering projects.

About Prellis Biologics

At Prellis we integrate human biology with machine learning. We aim to revolutionize drug discovery by harnessing the power of the human immune system with tightly integrated machine learning to develop next-generation antibody therapeutics with unparalleled speed, precision, and safety. We are committed to empowering our pharmaceutical partners with access to the most promising fully human antibody candidates rapidly identified from the human immune repertoire, enabling them to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster than ever before. Prellis Biologics is a pre-IPO biotech located in Berkeley, CA with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. Our growing pipeline targets high unmet patient needs across therapeutic areas including metabolic disease, inflammation, and oncology. Prellis has raised funding from top investors, including Celesta, Khosla Ventures, SOSV, and Avidity Partners.

What You Can Expect Of Us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

Actual salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Prellis offers compelling benefits based on eligibility, comprising health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save toward retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A competitive employee benefits package, including group medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Holiday package including a 1+ week winter shutdown

Application Deadline

Prellis does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Prellis Bio is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams — grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences — and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.