Scientist I – Antibody Engineering

Antibody Design Labs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Antibody Design Labs in San Diego is seeking a Research Scientist specializing in Molecular Biology and Antibody Engineering to lead library construction programs, drive sequence diversity design, and manage timelines to deliver high-quality discovery services in a fast-paced CRO setting.

You will collaborate on phage/yeast display libraries, oversee QC and documentation, and contribute to experimental design and client communication.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related life sciences with 1–3 years post-degree or industry experience; or an MS with 5+ years hands-on industry experience in antibody engineering or display technologies.
• Expertise in constructing complex molecular libraries (synthetic, semi-synthetic, or immunized) and understanding immunoglobulin gene structures, variable domain cloning, and CDR diversification strategies.
• Proficiency in advanced molecular cloning techniques, library QC metrics, and sequence analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design, construction, and characterization of antibody and peptide libraries (phage, yeast, or related platforms).
• Collaborate on sequence diversity schemes, codon optimization, humanization, and affinity maturation to build diverse libraries.
• Manage workflows and timelines for client and internal discovery programs, ensuring on-time delivery of project deliverables.
• Maintain precise project documentation, SOPs, and data logs; perform QC evaluations (NGS/Sanger) on generated libraries.

Skills

Library construction

Sequence diversity design

Project management

Documentation & QC

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Biotechnology

MS with 5+ years industry experience in antibody engineering

Tools

NGS data analysis software

Job description

Founded in 2011, Antibody Design Labs (ADL) is a specialized Contract Research Organization (CRO) delivering a centralized platform of advanced tools, resources, and techniques for recombinant antibody generation, engineering, and design. We provide high-level discovery capabilities to global biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners. Our end‑to‑end services cover all early‑stage discovery programs in peptides and antibodies—including immunization, synthetic and immunized library construction, screening, and functional validation.

Position Overview

We are seeking a talented and driven Research Scientist specializing in Molecular Biology and Antibody Engineering to join our team. In this pivotal role, you will take ownership of the library construction programs, contribute directly to sequence diversity design, and oversee project timelines to ensure high-quality service delivery on schedule. This is an excellent opportunity for a scientist who thrives in a collaborative, fast‑paced CRO environment where your expertise directly impacts innovative therapeutic discovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Library Construction & Execution: Lead the end-to-end design, construction, and characterization of synthetic, naive, and immunized antibody and peptide display libraries (phage, yeast, or related platforms).
• Sequence Diversity & Design: Collaborate on sequence diversity schemes, codon optimization strategies, humanization, affinity maturation and structural considerations to build highly diverse, high-quality recombinant libraries.
• Service Delivery & Project Management: Manage workflows and timelines for client and internal discovery programs, ensuring all project deliverables are executed accurately and on time.
• Documentation & Quality Control: Maintain precise project documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data logs; perform quality control evaluations (including NGS/Sanger sequencing analysis) on all generated libraries.

Qualifications

Education:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related life sciences discipline with 1–3 years of post‑degree or industry experience; or
• M.S. in a relevant discipline with 5+ years of hands‑on industry experience in antibody engineering or display technologies.

Core Technical Expertise:

• Proven track record of successfully constructing complex molecular libraries (synthetic, semi‑synthetic, or immunized).
• Deep understanding of immunoglobulin gene structures, variable domain cloning (scFv, Fab, VHH/nanobodies), and CDR diversification strategies.
• Strong proficiency in advanced molecular cloning techniques, library QC metrics, and sequence analysis software.

Soft Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adaptable, self‑motivated, and enthusiastic about working in a tight‑knit, agile team structure.

• CompensationCompetitive salary paired with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.