Principal Scientist, Assay Development

Spear Bio Inc.; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and rapidly growing startup that is revolutionizing disease diagnosis with innovative wash-free immunoassay technology. As a Principal Scientist, you'll lead a talented team in developing ultrasensitive assays that empower clinicians and researchers. This role offers the chance to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare, working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the success of our products. If you're passionate about protein biology and have a proven track record in immunoassay development, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a high-growth environment. Embrace the challenge and help shape the future of diagnostics!

Benefits

Stock Ownership

Strong Benefits

Great Work Environment

Qualifications

• PhD with 4+ years in immunoassay development for protein biomarkers.
• Strong experience in protein chemistry and assay optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead assay development teams and validate assays for clinical use.
• Design ELISA assays and analyze performance characteristics.

Skills

Immunoassay Development

Protein Biology

Analytical Validation

Project Management

Statistical Methodologies

ELISA Assays

Team Leadership

Education

PhD in Biochemistry

PhD in Analytical Chemistry

Tools

Real-Time PCR

MSD

Molecular Devices

Luminex

Biacore

Job description

Location: Woburn, Massachusetts
Department: R&D
Employment Type: Full Time – Onsite
Minimum Experience: Experienced

Spear Bio is a well-funded and rapidly growing start-up headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts. We are bringing to market a novel wash-free immunoassay platform with unprecedented sensitivity. The company’s commercial focusis dedicated to revolutionizing early disease diagnosis and monitoring by providing scalable, ultrasensitive solutions that enable accurate measurement of low abundant biomarkers, empowering clinicians and researchers to improve patient outcomes and advance global health.

The Principal Scientist will help lead one of Spear Bio’s Assay Development teams and contribute to the development and verification of our new range of ultrasensitive immunoassays. This role will have cross-functional responsibilities and work closely with the Platform and Product Development teams. The Principal Scientist will be expected to have a strong track record in immunoassay development for research and clinical applications and a deep understanding of protein biology.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of junior scientists in developing portfolio of assays, and qualify and/or validate assays for research and clinical use.
• Be a subject matter expert in the field of protein biomarkers for neurodegeneration or immuno-oncology.
• Design and develop ELISA based assays for ultrasensitive detection of analytes including antibody selection, conjugation of reagents and chemistries, sample preparation and handling, data analysis methodologies.
• Design and perform experiments to demonstrate feasibility and characterize performance and robustness (dynamic range, limit of detection, spike and recovery, precision, accuracy, and assay linearity) of ELISA based assays.
• Contribute to scientific literature and internal reports, documents, and communications including the writing and/or creation of abstracts, peer-reviewed journal articles, poster presentations, and marketing materials, and represent Spear Bio at conferences.
• Maintain familiarity with current technology and related literature and conduct project related information searches (some searches may be extensive).
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated knowledge of statistical methodologies including DoE Experience working within a cGMP/ GLP, and ISO regulated quality system.
• Work independently and have a strong understanding of the theory and biology behind the application and products.
• Possess strong presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish collaborative working relationships and become a key contributor within the assay development, platform, and product teams.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage and organize work around multiple and changing priorities.

Requirements:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or related life science field with a minimum of 4+ yearsdeveloping ultrasensitive blood-based protein biomarker immunoassays, ideally for neuro-diseases, directly from industry (e.g., IVD, clinical trials, contract research, or pharma/biotech).
• Deep understanding of protein biology
• Deep technical experience in multiple aspects of immunoassay development, including but not limited to: protein chemistry, antibody screening, antibody conjugation, assay diluent formulation, multiplexing, preanalytical sample processing, scale-up, assay optimization and troubleshooting, Real-Time PCR, immunoassays (immunoblotting and ELISAs) and gel-based assays (SDS-PAGE and CE-SDS), multivariate data analysis, analytical validation, and clinical validation.
• Advanced understanding of ligand binding assays and diverse analytical formats and platforms including colorimetric/electrochemiluminescence/luminescence/fluorometry-based assays and experience with typical analytical systems, e.g. MSD, Molecular Devices, Luminex, Ella, Quanterix, Octet, Biacore.
• Prior experience leading/mentoring team of junior scientists, and providing technical, clinical, and professional development
• Work on site in Woburn, MA 100%.

We offer competitive compensation, with meaningful stock ownership, strong benefits, and a great work environment. This is an opportunity to enter a high-growth startup company at an early stage. We are recruiting candidates who have demonstrated leadership and excellence throughout their careers and are excited by contributing to building an industry-leading company.

Spear Bio Inc. provides equal opportunity in employment to all persons. No person shall be denied equal access because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical/mental disability.