Principal Scientist - Antibody Characterization, Optimization & Immunology

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc; Westbrook (ME); On-site; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health / Dental / Vision benefits Day‑One

5% matching 401(k)

Annual cash bonus opportunity

Financial support and pet insurance

Employee stock program

Job summary

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc is seeking a Principal Scientist at their Molecular Analytics and Bioanalytical Research and Instrumentation Center in Westbrook, Maine. This role involves applying deep immunology knowledge to develop cutting-edge diagnostic products for veterinarians worldwide.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. along with 5–7 years of relevant experience, focusing on antibody development and biophysical characterization. A range of benefits is offered, including health insurance, retirement matching, and a potential annual cash bonus.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of industry/academia experience.
• Deep understanding of adaptive immunity and antibody biology.
• Experience with cloning and mammalian expression systems.

Responsibilities

• Leverage automated single‑cell biology platforms for antibody screening.
• Lead biophysical characterization and optimize antibody candidates.
• Provide technical leadership within cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Ph.D. in Immunology

Experience in antibody development

Hands‑on expertise in biophysical methods

Multi‑species antibody experience

Strong planning and decision-making skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field

Tools

Automated single‑cell biology platforms

Biophysical characterization techniques (BLI, SPR)

Job description

Join IDEXX's Molecular Analytics and Bioanalytical Research and Instrumentation Center (BRIC) at the intersection of immunology and antibody science - where deep knowledge of the immune system directly drives the development of diagnostic products used by veterinarians worldwide. As a Principal Scientist, you will apply expertise spanning adaptive immunity, antibody biology, and biophysical characterization across a portfolio unmatched in the industry, working with cross‑functional teams to advance candidates from immunological concepts to characterized lead.

What Will You Do

• Leverage automated single‑cell biology platforms and deep understanding of B cell activation, affinity maturation for high‑throughput screening, and selection of high‑quality antibody candidates against novel targets.
• Apply humoral immunology knowledge—antibody isotypes, Fc effector biology, T cell help, and antigen presentation—to guide candidate generation, selection, and optimization decisions.
• Lead biophysical characterization (BLI, SPR), developability assessments, epitope mapping, evaluate binding kinetics, stability, and sequence liabilities—executing optimization campaigns via site‑directed mutagenesis and structure‑guided engineering.
• Provide technical leadership within cross‑functional teams, author technical reports, design history files, and laboratory notebooks.

What Do You Need to Succeed

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or related field with 5–7 years of industry/academia experience.
• Deep understanding of adaptive immunity: B and T cell biology, humoral immune responses, and antibody affinity maturation.
• Proven experience in antibody development—biophysical characterization, and lead optimization.
• Hands‑on expertise in biophysical methods and molecular biology skills including cloning and mammalian expression systems.
• Multi‑species antibody experience is a significant advantage.
• Experience with automated single‑cell biology platforms for high‑throughput antibody screening and functional cell profiling.
• Strong planning, execution, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills with a demonstrated ability to drive complex projects to completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams.

What You Can Expect From Us

• Salary range starting at $120,000 based on experience.
• Opportunity for annual cash bonus.
• Health / Dental / Vision benefits Day‑One.
• 5% matching 401(k).
• Additional benefits including financial support, pet insurance, mental health resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donation matching, and more.

About the Job Location

Living in Maine (often called "Vacationland") offers access to active downtown areas, the outdoors, coastal and mountainous regions, and hiking trails. The Westbrook, ME area provides great access to a vibrant work culture with several large companies.

You can learn more on the Portland tourism website: https://www.visitportland.com/visit/resources/moving-to-maine/

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign‑born residents, and veterans to apply.

IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

While we appreciate our staffing partners, we are unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.