Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery

Kelly Services; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Annual performance bonus

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Two company-wide shutdowns each year

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Mountain View, CA to drive antibody discovery campaigns from mice to candidate antibodies. The role spans hybridoma and single B‑cell technologies, with hands‑on work across immunized mice, screening, and characterization to progress therapeutic candidates.

We expect strong hands‑on antibody discovery experience, mammalian cell culture, and ability to work independently in a fast‑paced biotech startup environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of industry experience for RA; Master’s with 2+ years for SRA.
• Hands-on antibody discovery using hybridoma and/or single B‑cell approaches.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, maintenance, transfection, and assays.
• Experience evaluating protein–protein interactions by ELISA and flow cytometry.
• Experience with automated/high‑throughput assays is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute antibody discovery campaigns using hybridoma and/or single B‑cell technologies.
• Evaluate serum antibody titers and process lymphoid tissues from immunized mice.
• Perform hybridoma generation, subcloning, and related workflows.
• Screen and characterize antibodies for binding and functional activity.
• Maintain and expand mammalian cell lines; support scalable workflows.
• Analyze results, provide updates, and collaborate across the org.

Skills

Antibody discovery

Independent work

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or related discipline

Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Tools

Hybridoma

Single B-cell technologies

Mammalian cell culture

Job description

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery for a direct hire opportunity with a leading therapeutic antibody discovery and development company in Mountain View, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting‑edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology and medical device industries.

Workplace: Onsite in Mountain View, CA

Position Title: Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery

Position Type: Direct hire

Base salary range:

• Research Associate (MS + 2 years / BS + 3–5 years): $90,000 – $110,000 per year.

• Senior Research Associate (BS + 5+ years / MS + 4+ years): $110,000 – $135,000 per year.

Our client is a Series A–funded biotechnology company developing advanced antibody discovery and development technologies to enable new medicines for challenging therapeutic targets. Based in Mountain View, California, the company combines a proprietary transgenic mouse platform with an experienced scientific team to accelerate the identification of diverse, high-quality, and developable antibody candidates.

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to join the Antibody Discovery team. In this hands‑on role, you will support antibody discovery campaigns from immunized mice through antibody screening and characterization. You will work across hybridoma and single B‑cell technologies, contribute to programs spanning a range of targets, and help advance promising candidates toward therapeutic development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a thoughtful, technically skilled scientist who enjoys working in a collaborative startup environment and wants to make a direct contribution to the development of novel antibody medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute antibody discovery campaigns using hybridoma and/or single B‑cell technologies.

• Evaluate serum antibody titers and process lymphoid tissues from immunized mice.

• Perform electrofusion, hybridoma generation, subcloning, and related antibody discovery workflows.

• Screen and characterize antibodies for binding and functional activity using:

• ELISA and quantitative binding assays

• Flow cytometry

• Biochemical assays

• Cell-based functional assays

• Maintain, expand, cryopreserve, and clone mammalian cell lines.

• Support the development and implementation of efficient, scalable, and high‑throughput discovery workflows.

• Evaluate new technologies, automation opportunities, and process improvements to increase the speed, quality, and reproducibility of antibody discovery.

• Maintain accurate experimental records, sample tracking, and data documentation.

• Analyze and communicate results, provide regular project updates, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organization.

• Contribute to a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Research Associate: Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or a related discipline, with approximately 5+ years of relevant industry experience.

• Senior Research Associate: Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline with approximately 2+ years of relevant industry experience, or equivalent experience and demonstrated accomplishments.

• Hands‑on experience with antibody discovery using hybridoma technology and/or single B‑cell approaches is required.

• Practical experience with mammalian cell culture, cell‑line maintenance, transfection, and functional cell‑based assays.

• Experience evaluating protein–protein interactions using techniques such as quantitative ELISA and flow cytometry.

• Experience with antibody screening, characterization, or developability‑relevant assays is highly desirable.

• Experience developing or implementing automated and/or high‑throughput assays is strongly preferred.

• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques is beneficial.

• Experience with small‑animal handling and mouse tissue processing is helpful but not required.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and deliver high‑quality results with limited supervision.

• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and time‑management skills.

• High attention to detail and a proactive, collaborative approach.

• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast‑paced biotechnology startup where priorities may evolve.

Why Join?

You will join a growing biotechnology company where your work can directly influence the discovery of new therapeutic antibodies. The company offers the opportunity to:

• Work with cutting‑edge antibody discovery technologies and challenging therapeutic targets.

• Gain broad exposure to discovery research, assay development, technology advancement, and drug development.

• Collaborate closely with experienced scientists and cross‑functional colleagues.

• Make meaningful contributions in a highly interactive, entrepreneurial environment.

• Help shape the company’s scientific capabilities, workflows, and culture as the organization grows.

The company offers a competitive total compensation package, including:

• Competitive base salary

• Stock options

• Annual performance bonus opportunity

• Comprehensive benefits

• Paid time off

• Two company‑wide shutdowns each year, during the summer and winter

• Professional development opportunities

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.