Researcher - Protein Therapeutics

The Opportunity:

The IBRI is poised to transform life sciences—and for millions of people, even life itself.

A Protein Therapeutics Researcher contributes to early‑stage drug discovery by generating high‑quality recombinant proteins and antibodies to support target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization. The role involves executing and optimizing protein expression and purification workflows across multiple platforms, characterizing biomolecules using a range of biochemical and biophysical assays, and supporting phage display campaigns for antibody discovery. Researchers collaborate closely with internal and external partners to analyze data, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and advance project milestones.

This position provides opportunities to broaden technical expertise while making impactful contributions to therapeutic development.

Protein Expression Development

• Develop optimal protein expression methodologies for each unique target, including:
• Utilize molecular biology techniques to introduce recombinant plasmid DNA into respective expression platforms.
• Evaluate suitability of different expression platforms for each protein (bacteria, insect, mammalian) via SDS-PAGE, Western blot, Bradford Assay or protein activity assay, if applicable.
• Perform comprehensive expression screening experiments within identified expression systems to identify ideal expression parameters.

Protein Purification and Analytical Assessment

• Purify recombinant proteins using affinity, ion‑exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size‑exclusion chromatography.
• Assess protein purity and yield using SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, Bradford assay, or other suitable methods.

Molecular Biology and DNA Engineering

• Evaluate yield and purity using SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Bradford Assay, or another suitable method
• Perform various molecular biology techniques to purify, quantify, characterize, and manipulate recombinant DNA, including:
• Isolate recombinant DNA from host vectors.
• Assess DNA purity and yield using absorbance-based methods (e.g. Nano Drop).
• Perform restriction enzyme digests on isolated DNA and analyze banding pattern via agarose gel.
• Run site-directed mutagenesis protocols to introduce hypothesis-driven amino acid mutations, when applicable.
• Purify target proteins using various chromatography resins (affinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, size-exclusion, etc.)

Cell Culture Maintenance

• Maintain and expand various cell lines using aseptic techniques to support protein production, ensuring high viability and sterility.

Phage Display Support and Antibody Characterization

• Assist with or run phage display campaigns using in-house phage display library.
• Make required media, antibiotic stocks, agar plates, etc.
• Transform bacteria from parent library stock and grow subsequent culture outputs using aseptic culture techniques.
• Perform phage titer experiments.
• Evaluate unique phage output using poly/monocloncal ELISAs.
• Assess binding kinetics of antibody/antigen pairs using biophysical methods (e.g. Biolayer Interferometry)
• Analyze DNA sequences of unique clones using Snap Gene or other analysis software.

Collaboration and Data Management & Documentation

• Assist other members of the Protein Therapeutics teams with ongoing projects when needed.
• Regularly communicate data to supervisor, team, and collaborators in both formal and informal meetings.
• Maintain an organized and detailed record of all experiments, methods, and raw/analyzed data in an electronic lab notebook.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, or other similar fields.
• Knowledge of basic lab techniques (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, protein quantification assays, etc.) is required.
• Prior experience with protein expression and purification is required.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills are required.
• Willingness to learn new techniques is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required.

• Familiarity with AKTA chromatography systems is highly preferred.
• Experience working with BSL2 material (mammalian and/or insect cell culture) is preferred.
• Experience with antibody production and…