Sr Scientist, LCMS

Abzena Inc.; Bristol Township (Bucks County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Abzena is seeking an experienced LC-MS scientist to develop LC-MS methods for conjugate characterization activities supporting process development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oligonucleotide conjugates, radioconjugates, and other complex bioconjugate modalities.

This role will serve as a technical expert in mass spectrometry-based characterization and method development across process development and CMC activities.

Qualifications

• PhD/MS with 5–10 years in LC-MS for biologics or ADCs.
• Hands-on expertise in high-res MS and complex data interpretation.
• Experience with protein/peptide mapping and conjugation analysis.
• Strong technical writing and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead LC-MS method development and transfer for ADCs and bioconjugates.
• Design MS studies for intact antibodies, conjugates, and related species.
• Analyze DAR, linker-payload, PTMs, and impurities.
• Support process development, manufacturing deviations, and regulatory sections.
• Collaborate with QA, formulation, and CROs; prepare reports and SOPs.
• Maintain and troubleshoot LC-MS instrumentation.

Skills

LC-MS analysis

Mass spectrometry

Bioconjugates

Data interpretation

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Analytical Chemistry or related

MS with extensive experience

Tools

Waters Connect

MassLynx

Proteomics software

Job description

With extensive experience in developing biologics and bioconjugates, we offer a seamless service delivered by fully integrated teams, from early discovery to commercial manufacturing.

Forward-thinking and committed, we find the best solution and use the right technologies to design, develop and manufacture your products to ensure we get vital medicines to patients quickly and safely.

We are dedicated to quality excellence. We are driven to get better treatments to market, efficiently and responsibly by reducing timelines and delivering the highest quality products and services.

We are Abzena. More than a CDMO, we are a responsible and dedicated partner that takes care of your products from concept to patient.

We are seeking an experienced LC-MS scientist to develop LC-MS methods for conjugate characterization activities supporting process development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), oligonucleotide conjugates, radioconjugates, and other complex bioconjugate modalities. This individual will serve as a technical expert in mass spectrometry-based characterization and method development across process development and CMC activities.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and implementing advanced LC-MS workflows for structural characterization, impurity analysis, linker-payload assessment, DAR determination, peptide mapping, and comparability studies to support clinical development programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and transfer of LC-MS analytical methods supporting ADCs and related bioconjugate therapeutics.
• Design and execute mass spectrometry studies for characterization of intact proteins/antibodies, fragment antibodies, small format proteins, peptides, linker-payloads, oligonucleotides, and conjugated species.
• Perform characterization activities including DAR analysis, peptide mapping, PTM identification, conjugation site analysis, aggregation and fragmentation assessment, disulfide scrambling, free payload and linker impurity analysis, and stability studies.
• Support analytical investigations related to process development, manufacturing deviations, comparability, and product quality assessments.
• Collaborate closely with process development, bioassay, formulation, and quality teams to establish analytical control strategies and critical quality attributes (CQAs).
• Develop robust sample preparation workflows for proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and conjugated modalities for LC-MS analyses.
• Interpret complex analytical datasets and communicate findings to cross-functional project teams and client sponsors.
• Author technical reports, analytical development summaries, regulatory documentation, SOPs, protocols, and method qualification reports.
• Support regulatory submissions including IND, BLA, and IMPD analytical sections.
• Maintain instrumentation including general maintenance, troubleshooting and scheduling of performative maintenance and vendor repair services.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with 5-8 years of industry experience; or M.S. with 8-10+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience with LC-MS characterization of biologics, ADCs, or related conjugated therapeutics.
• Hands-on experience with high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques and interpretation of complex datasets.
• Experience with analytical characterization techniques including intact/reduced, subunit mass analysis, and peptide mapping.
• Strong understanding of protein chemistry, conjugation technologies, and biopharmaceutical analytical development.
• Experience with data analysis software such as Waters Connect, MassLynx, or equivalent platforms.
• Excellent technical writing, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically supporting ADCs, AOCs, radioconjugates, or oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Familiarity with linker-payload chemistry and conjugation process development.
• Experience with multi-attribute methods (MAM) and advanced characterization workflows.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations for biologics and conjugated therapeutics.
• Experience supporting method qualification, validation, and comparability studies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting CMC development and CGMP environments.
• Prior experience working with CDMOs and external analytical laboratories.

FLSA: Exempt

Abzena is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.