Scientist, Antibody Production and Characterization

BioSpace; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

AlivaMab Biologics seeks a Scientist to design and optimize transient transfection workflows for antibodies and proteins in mammalian systems. You will contribute to throughput, quality and automation within a fast-paced research environment.

The role requires deep biochemistry and protein science knowledge, hands-on purification and analytical characterization, and a collaborative mindset to drive project decisions and deliverables.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with industry experience in protein sciences and antibody workflows.
• Hands-on mammalian expression, purification and characterization expertise.
• Strong documentation, troubleshooting, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute and optimize transient transfection workflows for antibodies and proteins in mammalian systems.
• Refine Protein Science processes for throughput, quality and efficiency.
• Purify antibodies by affinity, ion exchange or other methods from hybridoma and recombinant expression.
• Characterize antibodies by SDS-PAGE, SDS-cGE, SEC-HPLC and SEC-MALS for quality and developability.
• Develop automated high-throughput antibody production workflows on Bravo and other platforms.
• Improve expression and purification methods to increase yield and stability, including VLP production.
• Understand and optimize protein conjugation techniques for research use.
• Maintain electronic notebooks (Benchling) and communicate findings through reports and presentations.

Skills

PhD in Biochemistry

Molecular biology

Protein engineering

Mammalian expression

Mass spectrometry

SDS-PAGE / SDS-cGE

AKTA purification

Education

PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, or related field

MS in a related field with 5-7 years industry experience

Tools

AKTA instrumentation

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to join our Protein Sciences team and contribute to both day-to-day operations and the advancement of Protein Science workflows. This position will focus on the design, optimization, and execution of transient transfection processes at various scales for antibody and protein production in mammalian expression systems. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in biophysical characterization and biochemical modification to evaluate key protein attributes. This position will report to the Associate Director of Protein Sciences and work closely with scientists in the Antibody Discovery, Antibody Engineering, Protein Sciences, and Project Management teams. The ideal candidate will drive innovation through process refinement, high-throughput automation, and growing proficiency of chemical conjugation techniques. This role offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment, where creative solutions and a strong scientific approach are key to success.

AlivaMab Biologics is a rapidly growing leader in the discovery of human antibody therapeutics, trusted by top-tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to deliver panels of drug-quality human antibodies. We deliver on our partners' design goals, from simple to extraordinarily challenging, through collaborative access to our scientists' creativity and experience combined with proven technologies, including the AlivaMab® Mouse suite of transgenic mice. We excel in the rapid and efficient delivery of molecularly diverse therapeutic antibody candidates, well-characterized for function, kinetics, and developability, with expanding capabilities for engineering advanced modalities, including multispecifics, single-domain human VH antibodies. Our organization is dedicated to creating a healthier world through partnerships that bring better medicines to patients faster, and we recognize our success starts with hiring people who share our passion for science.

Responsibilities

• Independently design, execute and optimize transient transfection workflows for antibodies and proteins in various mammalian expression systems
• Troubleshoot and refine current Protein Science processes, for throughput, quality, and efficiency, as needed
• Design and conduct small to mid-scale antibody purification by affinity, ion-exchange or other chromatographic methods from hybridoma and recombinant expression
• Perform antibody characterization (SDS-PAGE and SDS-cGE, SEC-HPLC, SEC-MALS) for quality control and support developability assessment of antibodies for stability, purity and other relevant biophysical properties
• Explore, enable, and execute the development of automated high throughput processes to support antibody production workflows on Bravo, and other platforms
• Develop expression and purifications methods for antibodies, difficult-to-handle proteins and optimize platform processes for higher production yields and product stability, including VLP production
• Develop a strong understanding of current protein chemical conjugation techniques, and work to optimize and validate them for research applications
• Effectively maintain meticulous records of lab activities using electronic notebook (Benchling); communicate findings clearly through written reports and presentations to support project progression and scientific decision-making
• Manage multiple projects independently demonstrating strong self-motivation, effective time management, and the ability to consistently meet project deadlines
• Demonstrate attention to detail and scientific judgment essential for guiding data-driven decisions
• Drive innovation and project success by providing creative solutions to protein science challenges, taking initiative to explore new ideas and approaches while collaborating effectively within the team and cross-functionally in a fast-paced research environment

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Protein Engineering, or a related field with a minimum of 1-3 years of industry experience or MS with minimum of 5-7 years of direct industry experience is required
• Proven hands-on experience with multiple mammalian expression platforms is required
• Proficiency with AKTA instrumentation, demonstrating a broad range of standard and unique antibody purification (e.g., affinity, ion exchange, HIC and SEC) and QC techniques is required
• Demonstrated track record of generating high-quality recombinant proteins for biophysics or assay development in a timely manner
• Experience with SDS-PAGE or SDS-cGE, SEC-HPLC, SEC-MALS, and mass spectrometry-based methods for antibody analysis
• Experience with therapeutic antibody developability assessment is a plus
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities are required
• Self-motivated team player with excellent record keeping as well as written and verbal communication skills
• Extraordinary attention to detail, planning, and organizational skills are required
• Creative thinker who demonstrates initiative and a desire to collaborate in an exciting and fast-paced research environment

About AlivaMab Biologics

AlivaMab Biologics sets its partners' antibody discovery programs on the fastest and most de-risked path through discovery and development. Trusted by top-tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, AMB delivers drug-quality, fully human antibodies on exceptional timelines. AMB achieves its partners' design goals, from simple to extraordinarily challenging, through the generation and function-first screening of large, molecularly diverse panels of antibodies. AMB focuses on rapid and efficient delivery of antibodies, characterized for function, kinetics and developability, and engineering for alternative formats, including multi-specifics and CARs. The AMB team's experience and passion for antibody drug discovery and development combined with the use of trusted, proven technologies, including Ablexis' AlivaMab® Mouse platforms, ensure the highest probability of success.

AlivaMab Biologics provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to religion, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, alienage or citizenship status, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Salary Range: $118,000 - $145,000 annually

This range represents AlivaMab Biologics' good-faith estimate of the base compensation for this position at the time of posting. Offered title and compensation will account for factors such as experience, education, and comprehensiveness of qualifications. The salary range excludes bonuses, equity, health benefits, PTO, other benefits, or any other forms of compensation that may be part of the total compensation package.