Principal Scientist, AI Protein Sciences; Discovery Platforms & Automation

Syst Immune is a leading and well‑funded clinical‑stage biopharmaceutical company located in Redmond, WA and Princeton, NJ. It specializes in developing innovative cancer treatments using its established drug‑development platforms, focusing on bi‑specific, multi‑specific antibodies, and antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs). Syst Immune has multiple assets in various stages of clinical trials for solid tumor and hematologic indications, and a robust preclinical pipeline of potential cancer therapeutics in the discover and IND‑enabling stages.

We offer an opportunity for you to learn and grow while making significant contributions to the company’s success.

Syst Immune is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead the design, implementation, and ownership of a next‑generation automated protein sciences platform supporting biologics discovery. This role will focus on building scalable capabilities in cell‑free protein expression, purification, high‑throughput binding characterization, sample handling and data analysis through the integration of AI, laboratory automation, and robotics.

This position is ideal for a scientist who has experience building or significantly expanding experimental platforms and wants to take technical ownership of automation strategy, technology selection, workflow architecture, and scientific execution. The individual will operate as a technical leader responsible for establishing platform capabilities that accelerate protein and antibody discovery programs.

This role combines hands‑on experimental science, platform strategy, capital planning, and scientific leadership, with future opportunity to build and mentor a small team.

• Lead the design and buildout of an automated protein sciences platform from concept through implementation
• Evaluate, select, and implement robotic systems, liquid handlers, and supporting automation infrastructure
• Define workflows for protein production, purification, and characterization to maximize throughput and reproducibility
• Establish best practices for automation integration into discovery workflows
• Serve as the scientific and technical owner of the platform

• Design and execute protein science workflows including:
  • Cell‑free protein expression systems
  • Protein purification (affinity, ion exchange, SEC)
  • Binding characterization assays (BLI, SPR, ELISA, Octet)
  • Biophysical characterization techniques
• Apply structural biology knowledge to guide construct design and protein optimization strategies
• Interpret structure‑function relationships to guide discovery decisions
• Drive experimental strategy supporting therapeutic protein programs

• Develop automated workflows for protein expression, purification, and assay execution
• Partner with vendors and internal stakeholders to deploy new technologies
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, quality, and reproducibility through automation
• Establish data workflows supporting automated experimentation

• Define equipment strategy and capital investment priorities
• Lead vendor evaluations and purchasing decisions
• Manage platform budget and equipment planning
• Design laboratory processes ensuring efficient system integration

• Partner with computational biology teams to integrate modeling and experimental workflows
• Work closely with antibody discovery, protein engineering, and translational teams
• Support integration of experimental data into discovery decision making
• Contribute to strategic platform development supporting pipeline growth

• PhD in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related field
• 6+ years of industry experience in protein sciences, biologics discovery, or related field
• Deep expertise in protein expression, purification, and binding characterization assays
• Experience applying structural biology to protein design, characterization, or discovery workflows
• Experience with cell‑free protein expression systems
• Proven experience evaluating, selecting, purchasing, and…