Associate Director, Antibody Discovery & Characterization

Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is constructing, editing, and redesigning the living world in order to answer the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more. Our bioengineers make use of an in-house automated foundry for designing and building new organisms.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to lead efforts in antibody discovery and develop ability characterization. This individual will play a critical role in advancing our antibody discovery, production, and characterization platform by applying state‑of‑the‑art biophysical and functional assays to assess antibody properties. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in antibody engineering, develop ability assessments, and lead selection strategies.

• Lead method development and execution of antibody production and characterization workflows to support platform programs.
• Design, develop, and execute biophysical and functional assays to evaluate antibody binding, stability, and activity across a range of assays, for various antibody formats (IgGs, Vhh, minibinders, Fabs, bi‑ and multi‑specifics, etc).
• Conduct in‑depth develop ability assessments including binding kinetics, thermal/colloidal stability, polyreactivity, aggregation propensity, etc.
• Support the onboarding of any relevant assays to automated high‑throughput platforms.
• Provide technical leadership in antibody engineering, affinity maturation, and optimization strategies.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to scientific strategy and innovation.
• Author technical reports, SOPs, and present findings to internal leadership and external customers.

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Immunology, Bioengineering, or a related field with 6+ years of industry/academic experience in antibody discovery and characterization (or M.S. with 8+ years of industry/academic experience).
• Expertise in antibody engineering, production (transfection and purification), and develop ability characterization using biophysical and biological techniques.
• Extensive hands‑on expertise with SPR and BLI for quantitative antibody–antigen interaction analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency in antibody develop ability assessment using multiple biophysical techniques (DSF, DLS, SEC, HIC, AC‑SINS, Polyreactivity, etc.).
• Proven ability to lead projects and mentor junior scientists in an industry setting.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

• Industry experience in therapeutic antibody discovery and development.
• Experience in discovery, production and characterization of bi‑ and multi‑specifics.
• Familiarity with automation and high‑throughput screening techniques.
• Knowledge of antibody display platform is desirable.

Total compensation for this role is market driven, with a starting salary of $100k+, as well as company stock awards. Base pay is ultimately determined based on a candidate's skills, expertise, and experience. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental & vision coverage, health spending accounts, voluntary benefits, leave of absence policies, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k) program with employer contribution, 8 paid holidays in addition to a full‑week winter shutdown and unlimited Paid Time Off policy.

Ginkgo has implemented a return to office policy effective October 1, 2025 with required in‑office days 3x per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Some teams may require to be onsite 4-5 days per week and this will be discussed as part of the interview process. This policy applies to all employees who live within 50 miles of Ginkgo’s offices in Boston, MA, Emeryville, CA and West Sacramento, CA.

It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees, employment applicants, and EOE disability/vet.

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