Scientist​/Senior Scientist - TCR engineering and TCE development San Francisco, CA

Scientist / Senior Scientist - TCR engineering and TCE development

We are a well-funded biotech startup that has developed a suite of proprietary technologies combining ultrahigh throughput single cell functional screening with computational AI models to advance the development of immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. We are currently looking for a protein engineering scientist with experience in TCR affinity maturation and T cell engager (TCE) development to join our interdisciplinary team.

The candidate is expected to adapt quickly and communicate well, especially in a fast-paced startup environment. He/she will collaborate with other team members and be part of an exciting journey. We pay competitive salaries with bonus and equity, plus full benefits that include medical, dental, vision, 401k match, commuter benefits and daily lunch.

Responsibilities:

• Design libraries and perform TCR affinity maturation using yeast display.
• Lead TCR engineering efforts for enhanced affinity, specificity, and stability.
• Partner with AI/ML scientists to design sequences and libraries, contributing to iterative design-build-test cycles to advance therapeutic candidates.
• Collaborate with the team to develop TCEs and conduct in vitro functional assays to assess efficacy and safety.
• Work with CRO on TCR/TCE production and binding characterization.

Skills and

Qualifications:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Immunology, or a related field.
• Expertise in yeast display technologies, and high-throughput TCR/antibody screening.
• Experience in TCR, antibody or protein engineering, including affinity maturation, deep mutational scanning, cross-reactivity, and biophysical property optimization.
• Experience with TCR/antibody library construction, screening, and binding measurement.
• Fundamental understanding of TCR/antibody and structure-function relationships.
• Familiarity with protein structure analysis tools (Pymol, Chimera, MOE).
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment, take initiative, and drive projects forward independently.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bispecific antibodies and format screening.
• Background in T Cell Engager development.
• Experience with mammalian expression systems and protein purification techniques.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation:

• $120,000 - $160,000 (depending on the depth of expertise) + 10% performance bonus + equity.
• 4% Salary 401K match;
  Daily lunches;
  Commuter Benefits;
  Unlimited snacks and drinks.
• Disability Insurance, Life Insurance;
  Workplace Insurance;