Glycobiology & Mass Spectrometry Scientist

Glycobiology & Mass Spectrometry Scientist – Zolexeon, Inc

Posted on: June 04, 2026

Description:

Company:Zolexeon, Inc.

- early-stage clinical glycoproteomics diagnostics
Location:Billerica, MA (on-site)
Start Date:Immediate
Employment Type:Full-time
Compensation:Competitive base salary + benefits + early-stage equity

Building on this advanced platform and on highly promising pilot results, our current pipeline targets
cancer
and
autoimmune diagnostics
, supported by collaborations with leading academic biobanks, clinical key-opinion-leaders, and with first-line access to today’s most advanced MALDI technology. We operate from a dedicated laboratory in Billerica, MA, with next-generation MALDI instrumentation and established infrastructure.

We’re hiring a
founding laboratory scientist
to lead bench-level MS and glycobiology work  be clear: this is not a narrow, pigeon-hole specialist position where someone hands you an SOP and asks you to process samples. This is a vital
scientific leadership role
in which you’ll drive the development of our core analytical platform from sample preparation through data output. You’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with company leadership to turn prototype assays into bullet-proof reproducible, high-throughput clinical workflows.

This role is built for a PhD-level mass spectrometrist with strong protein biochemistry fundamentals who wants the authority, messiness, and upside of
building something from the ground up
— someone who embraces meaningful work and thrives in both academic and industry settings, is comfortable with early-stage ambiguity, and sees the chance to shape a laboratory, a platform, and a company as a rare and exciting scientific opportunity.

• MALDI-MS Workflow Development:Design, optimize, and validate high-throughput, high specificity, and high-sensitivity MALDI-MS acquisition workflows for glycan and glycoprotein biomarker detection from human serum, plasma, and urine specimens.
• Sample Preparation & Glycochemistry:Develop and standardize protocols for glycan release (PNGase F, chemical cleavage), derivatization, enrichment, and purification, optimized for clinical-grade reproducibility.
• Automation & Throughput Engineering:Implement and optimize liquid-handling automation (96/384-well plate workflows) to achieve the throughput and reproducibility required for clinical sample processing.
• Data Processing & QC:Build downstream data processing pipelines for spectral QC, feature extraction, normalization, and reporting. You'll seamlessly fuse your MS data with bioinformatics and ML stacks developed by the wider team.
• SOPs & Regulatory Documentation:Author SOPs, validation protocols, and documentation meeting diagnostics-grade standards (CLIA/CAP framework) in anticipation of laboratory certification.
• Translational Assay Development:Drive clinical validation studies from analytical validation through early clinical concordance testing, partnering with our clinical and biostatistical allies.
• Laboratory Operations:Manage instrument uptime, consumables, vendor relationships, and laboratory safety in a BSL-2 environment. As the primary laboratory scientist, you’ll run day-to-day operations.
• Scientific Strategy:Contribute to experimental design, help write grants and manuscripts, and be a voice for Zolexeon at conferences.

The Non-Negotiables:

• PhD in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, mass spectrometry, glycobiology, or a closely related discipline.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with MALDI-MS or high-resolution MS platforms in a research or clinical laboratory setting.
• Strong protein/glycoprotein biochemistry skills — comfortable with enzymatic digestion, target protein purification, sample prep optimization, derivatization, and analytical troubleshooting
• Experience with laboratory automation/liquid-handling platforms
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar tools for MS data processing and statistical analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, document rigorously, and manage multiple…