Scientist/Senior Scientist, Molecular Biology

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

A biopharmaceutical company in San Diego is seeking a skilled Molecular Biologist to join their research team. This role focuses on antibody discovery through phage display and requires extensive hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques. Candidates should have a Ph.D. and demonstrated abilities in scientific research. The position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000 to $150,000 and a robust benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience with antibody expression and purification using E. coli, HEK293, and CHO systems.
• Proven ability to adapt to fast pace and evolving research priorities.
• Track record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and screen phage display libraries to identify lead antibodies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams to advance lead antibodies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and present findings at internal meetings.

Skills

Hands-on experience with phage display technology for antibody discovery

Proficiency in molecular cloning, PCR, and gel electrophoresis

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Excellent record-keeping, communication, and collaboration skills

Education

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

Tools

E. coli

HEK293

CHO systems

Job description

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARWR) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Molecular Biologist to join our dynamic research team in Discovery Chemistry. The successful candidate will play a key role in antibody discovery to support platform development and drug delivery initiatives. This position requires extensive hands‑on experience in phage display, mammalian cell culture, and antibody production, supported by a strong foundation in molecular biology.

Responsibilities

• Design, construct, and screen phage display libraries to identify lead antibodies.
• Perform molecular cloning, antibody gene assembly, and expression vector design.
• Express and purify recombinant antibodies using bacterial and mammalian expression systems.
• Characterize lead antibodies using binding assays (ELISA, SPR, BLI) and functional assays.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional project teams to advance lead antibodies through drug development stages.
• Maintain accurate documentation and present findings at internal meetings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Hands‑on experience with phage display technology for antibody discovery.
• Proficiency in molecular cloning, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
• Experience with antibody expression and purification using E. coli, HEK293, and CHO systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot experiments independently.
• Excellent record‑keeping, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Proven ability to adapt to fast pace and evolving research priorities.
• Track record of scientific productivity, including peer‑reviewed publications, conference presentations, or patents.

Preferred

• Industry or postdoc experience.

Salary

California pay range: $120,000—$150,000 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.

All applicants must have authorization to work in the US for a company.