Protein Design Scientist - ML, Kinetics & Robotics

Clera; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Clera seeks an advanced scientist to own the full design-make-test-model loop for AI-driven protein engineering. You will improve diffusion-based sequence design, operate an ML platform at scale, and manage robotic liquid handling and spectroscopy workflows.

You will execute end-to-end BLI/SPR assays, fit kinetics, and refine models to deliver production-ready sequences. A biology background and Python prowess are essential in this high-leverage role at Clera.

Qualifications

• 2+ years building or operating diffusion models, protein language models, or structure prediction in a real make-test-model loop.
• Robot liquid-handling protocols written and deployed to production, not just supervised.
• Fitted BLI or SPR kinetic curves end-to-end and diagnosed failure modes: mass transport, binding issues, referencing.
• Proficient in Python for robot methods and kinetics data analysis.
• Ability to close the full loop from design to synthesis/expression, kinetics, and model updates.
• Comfort using protein language models and sequence design tools as inputs/outputs, not black boxes.
• Strong biology/biochemistry background; gene editing or receptor trafficking a plus.

Responsibilities

• Improve and extend diffusion and related models with architectural refinements and new attention heads.
• Operate an ML inference platform at scale, diagnosing usage patterns across signups and segments.
• Own fluid-handling robotics and plate automation and ship reliable, production-ready protocols.
• Design and execute end-to-end kinetics experiments, referencing, dilution series, QC, and failure-mode diagnosis.
• Write cloud-lab protocols and manage internal screening instrumentation.
• Work the full stack from receptor biology through scoring functions to platform outputs used by scientists.
• Close design loops: take sequences from the platform, run kinetics, update the model, and ship improved sequences.

Skills

Diffusion models

Python scripting

ML platform ops

Biology background

Education

Biology / life sciences degree

Tools

Hamilton robots

Tecan instruments

Opentrons

BLI/SPR instruments

RFdiffusion

BindCraft

Job description

Clera seeks an advanced scientist to own the full design-make-test-model loop for AI-driven protein engineering. You will improve diffusion-based sequence design, operate an ML platform at scale, and manage robotic liquid handling and spectroscopy workflows.

You will execute end-to-end BLI/SPR assays, fit kinetics, and refine models to deliver production-ready sequences. A biology background and Python prowess are essential in this high-leverage role at Clera.