Research Associate, Antibody-Drug Conjugates

About Us:

Ridge Biotechnologies enables the development and construction of the next generation of precision medicines through enzyme and targeted therapeutic design. Using our powerful experimental and computational platform built on large datasets generated by cell-free synthesis, biorthogonal chemistries, and ever-improving machine learning models, Ridge is pioneering the design of new medicines and scalable production methods that enable our partners to bring life-saving therapies to patients in need.

In recent months, we’ve secured multiple partnerships and launched our first product lines:
Native Link enzymes that provide precise and stable bioconjugation without modification of protein sequence, glycan, or disulfide bonds;
Pro Trigger protease-cleavable linkers that enable selective drug release in the tumor microenvironment; and novel enzyme-based Catalytic Medicines.

Ridge Bio’s founders are industry veterans who have previously built successful biotechnology companies and academic leaders from top institutions including Stanford and Caltech with world-leading expertise in cell-free systems, therapeutic development, and protein engineering. We are backed by Sutter Hill Ventures, a quiet powerhouse that has been building successful companies since 1962 by focusing on bringing together great people to solve hard technological problems in big markets.

Our company culture is dedicated to intellectual integrity, service ownership, and creative impact.

We are looking for a thoughtful and driven scientist with hands-on experience in synthesis and analysis of bioconjugate therapeutics, excellent lab skills, and strong problem-solving abilities to join our tightly knit team. You’ll work with brilliant scientists with complementary sets of expertise to solve challenging problems at the intersection of biochemistry, protein engineering, and therapeutic development, applying our Native Link and Pro Trigger technologies to advance therapeutic programs with our growing group of partners.

An appetite for tackling new challenges and techniques, working flexibly across disciplines, and a pragmatic approach to therapeutic development are a must. You’ll have the opportunity to consistently expand your skillsets in synthesis, conjugation, and bioanalytical characterization as you help execute impactful projects alongside our protein engineering and bioconjugation chemistry teams. Level and compensation will be set by experience and previously demonstrated impact in highly related research.

• At least a B.S. with 2-3 years of experience or an M.S. with 1-2 years of experience in chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. Additional experience and demonstrated impact in highly related research are welcomed and will be reflected in level and compensation.
• Direct, hands-on experience implementing bioconjugation methods to produce biotherapeutics (e.g. proteins, peptides, lipids, and nucleic acids).
• Direct, hands-on experience performing cell-based and plate-based assays (such as cell killing, antibody binding, antibody internalization, flow cytometry, ELISA).
• Direct, hands-on experience maintaining and expanding mammalian cell lines.
• Direct experience with bioanalytical chemistry methods including HPLC, mass spectrometry, and other methods for biophysical characterization of proteins and bioconjugates.
• Direct experience with isolation and purification of antibodies and protein conjugates including SEC, IEX, ProA, HIC, TFF.
• Hands-on experience executing synthesis and conjugation chemistry applicable to production of bioconjugate therapeutics (e.g. high throughput mammalian expression systems, peptide synthesis, site-specific conjugation, enzymatic conjugation, chemical conjugation, and click chemistry).
• Hands-on experience with antibody/ADC develop ability assays, e.g. buffer/serum/lysosomal stability, immunoprecipitation, DSF, HIC, forced aggregation/degradation.
• Demonstrated ability to boot up, run, and report on experiments in an interdisciplinary and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work full-time hours at our Bay Area location…