Lead Scientist, Protein Engineering

What We're Building:

We have been quietly building the foundational layers of our Physical AI Scientist platform:

🤖 Physical AI that can operate scientific instruments with human-level dexterity.

🧪 Scientific AI that can analyze results, reason about next steps, and close the loop autonomously.

This is an incredibly ambitious mission, but we believe that a team of ambitious people with high ownership can accomplish incredible things.

• We’re a team of passionate, mission-driven engineers from companies like Tesla, Amazon, Space
  
  X, and Neuralink. We’re collaborative and love moving fast, both with our product and on team trips skiing or go-karting!

• As a team, we love nerding out about engineering and robotics — plus other topics like race cars or cooking. We like learning new things and then sharing our new knowledge with each other.

• Our team is opinionated and straightforward. We don’t mind intense discussions about design tradeoffs. If we have arguments or miscommunication, we resolve conflicts quickly and empathetically.

We're seeking an exceptional antibody or protein scientist to drive the scientific backbone of our Physical AI Scientist platform. This role combines deep technical ownership, scientific execution and leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in a fast-moving environment. As a founding member of this team, you’ll work with a high-impact team of engineers to help establish Medra as the leader in Physical AI to close-the-loop between computational predictions and experimental validation in biologics R&D.

• Work with our internal engineering team to design and launch Medra Labs 1

• Define and set‑up the workflow for end‑to‑end antibody and protein engineering, including liaising with vendors & suppliers, setting up instruments, testing hardware / software prototypes, and final integration into robust, production‑grade systems

• Develop fit‑for‑purpose assays to evaluate binding, specificity, potency, and develop ability (e.g., SPR/BLI, ELISA, cell‑based assays, stability screens).

• Design and execute iterative experimental campaigns that balance speed, rigor, and scalability.

• Troubleshoot complex experimental challenges and set best practices for reproducible, high‑quality data generation.

• Drive the creative process to uncover novel opportunities in instrumentation, workflow design, and system integrations.

• Work closely with customers to deeply understand their science, define scientific goals and requirements, outline a fully‑automated experimental plan, and run experiments

• Provide technical leadership in antibody/protein engineering across internal teams and external partners.

• Contribute to scientific strategy, mentoring, and the evolution of Medra’s Physical AI platform

• PhD in Bio/Biological Engineering, Biological Sciences, Protein Engineering, Biophysics, Chemistry/Biochemistry, or a related field

• 3+ years of direct hands‑on experience with the design and characterization of antibody and protein therapeutics, including cloning, expression, purification, analytics, and quality control. Experience with at least one advanced modality (beyond monoclonals) is preferred.

• Experience with binding and develop ability assays such as SPR/BLI, ELISA, flow cytometry, stability, etc., as well as the relevant instruments for each.

• Proven ability to design clear experimental plans, think strategically, solve complex problems creatively, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including scientists and senior executives

• Entrepreneurial drive and a desire to have broad ownership, operating with significant autonomy in a highly ambiguous and rapidly changing environment, akin to a startup CSO

• A willingness to wear many hats / a flexible attitude towards responsibilities and scope

• Bonus points if you have experience working with available AI models for protein generation and prediction

This position is 100% in-person
, you must be able to come on‑site to our San Francisco office. We do not offer hybrid roles. We do offer relocation benefits for applicants who need to relocate.

Medra is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.

We value diversity at Medra and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!