Senior Scientist – Protein Sciences & Laboratory Automation

Commonwealth Sciences, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth Sciences, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled scientist to lead purification, characterization, and analytical development for biologics.

You will design automated workflows, operate AKTA systems, and troubleshoot robotic liquid handlers to improve throughput and reproducibility. Role requires advanced degree with industry experience in protein purification/characterization and a strong track record in lab automation.

Qualifications

• PhD with 3–5 years industry experience, or MS with 8–10+ years.
• Proficiency in protein purification and characterization (Affinity, SEC, IEX, HPLC, HIC, SDS-PAGE, ELISA).
• Hands-on AKTA chromatography systems experience.
• Experience with automated workflows and liquid-handling platforms.
• Preference for robotics experience with Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter or Opentrons.

Responsibilities

• Lead protein purification, production, characterization, drug conjugation, and analytical development activities.
• Develop and optimize purification and analytical methods to support biologics discovery and development.
• Design, develop, and optimize automated laboratory workflows to improve throughput and reproducibility.
• Operate and troubleshoot liquid-handling platforms and lab automation systems for purification and analyses.
• Support developability studies and characterization using biochemical, biophysical, and analytical techniques.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to advance protein engineering, synthetic biology, and biologics discovery programs.

Skills

Protein purification

Protein characterization

Laboratory automation

Robotic liquid handling

Education

PhD in Bioengineering/ Biochemistry/ Chemical Engineering or related field

MS in related field with 8–10+ years industry experience

Tools

AKTA chromatography systems

Hamilton

Tecan

Beckman Coulter

Opentrons

Job description

• Lead protein purification, production, characterization, drug conjugation, and analytical development activities.
• Develop and optimize protein purification and analytical methods to support biologics discovery and development.
• Design, develop, and optimize automated laboratory workflows to improve throughput, reproducibility, and efficiency.
• Operate and troubleshoot liquid‑handling platforms and laboratory automation systems for protein purification, sample preparation, and analytical workflows.
• Support protein developability studies and characterization using a range of biochemical, biophysical, and analytical techniques.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to advance innovative protein engineering, synthetic biology, and biologics discovery programs.

Requirements:

• PhD in Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 3-5 years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with 8-10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong expertise in protein purification and characterization, including Affinity, SEC, IEX, HPLC, HIC, SDS-PAGE, and ELISA.
• Hands‑on experience with AKTA chromatography systems.
• Experience with laboratory automation and liquid‑handling platforms, including developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting automated laboratory workflows.
• Experience with robotic liquid handlers such as Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Opentrons, or similar platforms is highly preferred.