Senior Scientist, Antibody Engineering & Platform Innovation

GigaGen Inc; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

PTO

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

GigaGen Inc. seeks a Principal Scientist to lead protein engineering and molecular biology projects within the Technology Development team in California. The role focuses on antibody design, expression, purification, and novel analytical assays, with leadership across cross-functional teams.

The candidate will mentor staff, manage internal and external collaborations, and contribute innovative tools and workflows for ongoing platform improvement. Strong publication record is valued.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical/biological engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology or similar preferred.
• 8+ years industry and/or post-PhD experience OR MS with 12+ years OR Bachelors with 15+ years of industry experience.
• Publications and conference presentations demonstrating a strong scientific background.
• Broad technical background covering additional areas of interest.
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports.
• Experience managing CROs and external collaborations.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, manuscripts, or other documents.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and manage experiments for testing next‑generation antibody therapeutics, including construct design and expression/purification strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects involving protein engineering, synthetic biology, and high-throughput sequencing.
• Suggest new assays and technologies to advance GigaGen products and obtain management support.
• Stay current with cutting-edge tools and coordinate testing/implementation.
• Mentor junior lab staff and manage one or more staff.
• Manage projects with external vendors and coordinate across teams to meet goals.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team leadership

Mentoring direct reports

CRO management

Technical writing

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in chemical/biological engineering or related

8+ years industry experience OR MS with 12+ years OR BA with 15+ years

Tools

Mammalian expression systems

Single-cell assays

Automation

Job description

GigaGen, a subsidiary of Grifols, discovers and develops next-generation recombinant antibody therapeutics. Our core technology utilizes a microfluidic droplet system to capture and immortalize diverse immune repertoires, which can then be mined for exceptional monoclonals or enriched and used as high-potency polyclonal therapeutics. Our pipeline includes several recombinant polyclonal products for infectious diseases and a monoclonal antibody with a unique mechanism for oncology, with several projects in the clinic.

We are seeking an innovative and experienced Principal Scientist to direct protein engineering and molecular biology projects as a part of the Technology Development team. This team initiates and leads early-stage research projects with the goal to improve the platform technology and build a toolbox for our next-generation of recombinant antibody therapeutics. The successful candidate will have significant experience in antibody and antigen engineering, protein expression and purification, and advanced cloning techniques. Additional expertise in mammalian synthetic biology, single-cell assays, bioinformatics, automation, droplet microfluidics, bacterial or yeast biology, or related areas may also be beneficial. A proven track-record of innovation as evidenced through publications and patents is expected.

Primary responsibilities for role:

• Independently design and manage experiments for testing next-generation antibody therapeutics, including construct design, expression and purification strategies, and implementation of novel analytical assays.
• Provide technical leadership for complex projects which may include elements of protein engineering, synthetic biology, high-throughput sequencing, and in vitro assays.
• Contribute ideas for new assays and technologies to enable the next-generation of GigaGen products and work with management to obtain support and resources to be successful.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge tools and new technologies related to GigaGen’s antibody discovery platform and coordinate for testing and implementation
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and troubleshooting efforts within the team
• Propose and manage goals, timelines, and personnel for multiple projects, and drive internal and external communications within and across teams to ensure goals are met on time
• Synthesize and interpret complex data for internal and external presentations
• Mentor junior lab staff, with opportunities for management of one or more staff
• Initiate and manage projects with external vendors

Required experience, skills and education qualifications:

• PhD in chemical/biological engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, or similar preferred
• 8+ years industry and/or post-PhD experience OR MS with 12+ years of industry experience OR Bachelors with 15+ years of industry experience
• Strong background in a relevant scientific field, as evidenced by publications and conference presentations
• Broad technical background covering additional areas of interest
• Experience managing and mentoring direct reports
• Experience managing CROs and external collaborations
• Technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, manuscripts, or other documents
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, meet deadlines, and prioritize work across multiple projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and efficient in communicating in interdisciplinary and cross-functional teams
• Advanced ability to creatively apply scientific principles in problem solving in potentially novel areas.

Occupational Demands:

Work is performed in a clinical and/or a laboratory environment. Exposure to biological fluids with potential exposure to infectious organisms. Exposure to electrical office equipment. Exposure to chemicals.Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves.Frequently sits and bends neck for 4-6 hours per day.May stand and twist neck for 2-4 hours per day. Occasionally walks, bends and twists waist and squats.Frequent hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.Ability to make precise coordinated movements, of the fingers to grasp and manipulate objects. Moderate lifting of 15-30lbs. with a maximum lift of 35 lbs. May reach above and below shoulder height. Color perception/discrimination, near vision and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/30 and to 20/100 in the other eye.Able to communicate complex information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Frequently works with diverse groups to obtain consensus on complex issues. Ability to apply abstract principles to solve complex conceptual issues. Performs a wide range of complex tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence.

The estimated pay scale for Principal Scientist role based in California, is $165,000.00 to $205,000.00 per year. A dditionally, the position is eligible to participate in the company bonus pool. We offer a wide variety of benefits including, but not limited to: Medical, Dental, Vision, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays and up to 5% 401(K) match and tuition reimbursement. Final compensation packages will ultimately depend on education, experience, skillset, knowledge, where the role is performed, internal equity and market data. We are committed to offering our employees opportunities for professional growth and career progression. Grifols is a global healthcare organization with employees in 30 countries focused on patient health and providing impactful results. Since our humble beginnings in 1909, Grifols has been a family company that prides itself on its family-like culture. Our company has more than tripled over the last 10 years, and you can grow with us!

Third Party Agency and Recruiter Notice:

Agencies that present a candidate to Grifols must have an active, nonexpired, Grifols Agency Master Services Agreement with the Grifols Talent Acquisition Department. Additionally, agencies may only submit candidates to positions that they have been engaged to work on by a Grifols Recruiter. All resumes must be sent to a Grifols Recruiter under these terms or they will be considered a Grifols candidate.

Grifols provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religious practices and observances; national origin; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability.We will consider for employment all qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of all applicable laws, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

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