Scientist I, Biochemistry and Biotherapeutics

Position Summary

PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Scientist I, Biochemistry and Biotherapeutics to join the Biologics Platform team. The successful candidate will support discovery and early development of innovative therapeutics, including antibodies, multi-specifics, T cell engagers and cytokines. This role will focus on the discovery, characterization, and optimization of lead candidates through integrated protein engineering, biophysical and mechanism-of-action studies. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in protein biochemistry with hands-on experience in phage, yeast, or mammalian display and/or AI-assisted protein design for antibody discovery and optimization. The ideal candidate is also a technical expert in evaluating biotherapeutics via SPR, BLI, ELISA, flow cytometry and immuno-assays.

Summary Of Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to pipeline program and discovery project workstreams supporting target validation, candidate selection, and lead candidate optimization
• Collaborate with internal research teams, external partners, and CROs to integrate experimental data with candidate selection criteria
• Prepare high-quality internal presentations, scientific reports, external publications, or conference presentations, as appropriate
• Stay current with emerging advances in immuno-oncology and relevant therapeutic modalities and communicate key findings internally
• Provide scientific input within project teams and support the training or mentorship of junior team members

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Immunology or a related scientific discipline, with 0–2 years of relevant post-PhD experience in an industry or academic research setting
• Hands-on experience with antibody discovery and optimization via combinatorial library-based technologies such as phage, yeast or mammalian display
• Experience with antibody, multi-specific, or other protein-based therapeutics, including formatting, production and high-throughput characterization via affinity (SPR, BLI, Carterra), epitope, developability and cellular functional assays (cytotoxicity, antibody internalization, MSD assay)
• Demonstrated ability to independently advance scientific projects, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate scientific findings clearly through written reports, presentations, publications, patents, or related scientific outputs
• Proficiency with data analysis and molecular biology software, such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Geneious, Snapgene, etc
• Collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to contribute effectively within a dynamic research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of emerging and established protein engineering technologies such as AI/ML-based protein design and optimization (RFdiffusion, pMPNN, AlphaFold, Rosetta, MOE, structure-based rational mutagenesis, etc.)
• Computational expertise in NGS data analysis
• Working knowledge of structural biology, T cell and B cell biology, cancer immunology and immuno-oncology