Scientist : Bioconjugation - Discovery Sciences

Scientist I – Bioconjugation

iQ Biosciences (iQ) is a specialized preclinical research partner dedicated to helping drug developers ask the right questions early to generate meaningful data and make confident decisions throughout development. Since 2014, our immunology expertise, coupled with our agility, drive, and collaborative approach, has made us the partner of choice for research organizations of all sizes and across a range of therapeutic areas.

iQ offers an integrated, scientist-led model that combines three core capabilities – high-quality cellular products, in vitro bioservices, and custom bioconjugation – and a commitment to being as passionate about its clients' research as they are.

As we enter a dynamic growth phase, we are expanding our Discovery Sciences Bioconjugation division focused on supporting clients developing conjugates for therapeutic drug discovery and biomedical research. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of protein chemistry and drug discovery, contribute to a diverse portfolio of client projects, and grow within a team that values scientific rigor, practical problem-solving, and responsive execution.

The Scientist I – Bioconjugation is a hands-on scientist responsible for the execution, analysis, and scientific support of bioconjugation studies across client-sponsored and internal research projects. Working closely as the technical lead with Project Management and cross-functional scientific teams, the Scientist I will independently execute complex laboratory workflows, interpret experimental data, troubleshoot moderately complex technical issues, and contribute to experimental design and study planning.

The Scientist I is expected to apply sound scientific judgment to assigned work, independently plan routine experiments and optimization activities, adapt established methods to project-specific variables, and recommend appropriate next steps based on experimental results. More complex study design, novel method development, and higher-risk scientific decisions are generally made in consultation with more senior scientific staff. This is a highly hands-on laboratory role suited to a scientist who is ready to move beyond technical execution and take increasing ownership of experimental reasoning, study outcomes, and scientific communication.

Bioconjugation & Technical Execution

• Independently execute antibody and protein bioconjugation reactions using established chemical and/or enzymatic approaches, including maleimide-, NHS ester-, and comparable protein-modification chemistries.
• Perform purification and buffer-exchange workflows using techniques such as desalting, tangential flow filtration, size-exclusion chromatography, Protein A, and AKTA/FPLC-based systems.
• Characterize conjugates using analytical methods such as SEC, HIC, UV-Vis, SDS-PAGE, concentration assays, and other appropriate methods; mass spectrometry experience is a plus.
• Independently execute complex established workflows and adapt experimental execution based on project-specific variables and approved scientific rationale.
• Plan and perform routine pilot, comparison, optimization, and confirmation experiments.
• Apply working knowledge of protein chemistry, buffer composition, pH, protein handling, and storage conditions to maintain sample quality and identify potential technical risks.
• Work carefully and economically with limited, high-value, or client-provided biological materials.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely experimental records and study documentation.

Experimental Planning & Scientific Judgment

• Contribute to study design and independently plan routine experiments within defined project objectives.
• Identify important experimental variables and recommend focused experiments to evaluate routine technical questions.
• Adapt established conjugation, purification, or analytical methods based on project variables, prior experience, and experimental results.
• Develop scientific rationale for routine experimental decisions and communicate that rationale clearly to the technical lead and project team.
• Evaluate whether experimental results adequately address the…