RESEARCH ASSOCIATE – TARGET DISCOVERY
Planet Pharma · South San Francisco, CA · 2 wk ago
On-siteAnalystFull-time
Location: South San Francisco, California | Employment type: Contract | Worksite: On-Site
About the role
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our Target Discovery team working at the interface of immunotherapy and antibody research. This position will work hands-on with immunoassays and antibody characterization to support discovery and validation of novel therapeutic targets. The role offers exposure to the full pipeline—from assay development and antibody screening to experimental validation of candidate targets. This is an ideal opportunity for a recent graduate seeking industry research experience in immunology, cancer biology, or protein and antibody sciences.
Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and execute ELISA-based assays (direct, indirect, sandwich, and competitive formats) to characterize antibody binding and specificity.
- Screen and characterize candidate antibodies for affinity, specificity, and cross-reactivity against target and off-target antigens.
- Troubleshoot and optimize assay conditions to ensure reproducible, high-quality results.
- Prepare, aliquot, and manage antibody and antigen reagents, ensuring accurate inventory and documentation.
- Analyze and document experimental results; contribute to internal datasets and presentations.
- Collaborate with computational and translational scientists to interpret data and support identification and validation of candidate therapeutic targets.
Requirements
- B.S. or M.S. in biological sciences or a related field (immunology, cancer biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and/or bioengineering).
- Hands-on experience with ELISA and/or other immunoassays is essential.
- Experience with ELISA and liquid-handling automation is a plus.
- Western blotting and flow cytometry experience is a plus.
- Familiarity with mammalian cell culture is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow complex protocols.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.