Senior Research Associate – Protein Expression & Process Development

Kiso Ji Biotech is advancing next-generation antibody therapeutics through integration of proprietary transgenic heavy chain‑only antibody (HCAb) platforms, AI‑guided discovery, and high‑throughput protein production systems.

We are currently expanding our protein sciences capabilities and are seeking two Senior Research Associate positions to lead and support recombinant protein expression and purification workflows across mammalian (HEK
293, CHO/ExpiCHO), insect (Sf9/Hi5), and bacterial (E. coli) hosts. This is a highly hands‑on laboratory role focused on developing, optimizing, and scaling protein expression and downstream purification processes to support antibody discovery, functional screening, and structural biology programs.

The successful candidates will thrive in a fast‑paced biotech environment, demonstrate robust experimental rigor, work independently, and contribute scientifically to the development of robust, high‑yield protein production pipelines for next‑generation antibody therapeutics.

Senior Research Associate

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Process Development

• MSc. or Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field with a minimum of 2 years of hands‑on industry or research experience.
• Demonstrated track record of independent project ownership in a fast‑paced biotech or research environment.

• Lead and optimize recombinant protein expression across mammalian (HEK
  293, CHO/ExpiCHO), insect (Sf9/Hi5), and bacterial (E. coli) expression systems.
• Drive cell line development workflows to establish stable, high‑yield antibody‑producing cell lines.
• Execute and optimize downstream purification of recombinant antibodies and proteins using FPLC‑based chromatography systems (affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion).
• Develop and troubleshoot expression and purification strategies for challenging targets, including membrane proteins, ensuring high purity and yield.
• Maintain and apply biophysical characterization methods to assess protein quality, homogeneity, and functionality.
• Desirable (not mandatory):
  Experience with membrane protein reconstitution into nanodiscs or other lipid‑based systems for structural or functional studies.

• Partner closely with molecular biology, antibody discovery, and assay development teams to align protein production timelines with program milestones.
• Contribute to experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific reporting.

• Strong problem‑solving ability with a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving expression and production challenges.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for internal reporting and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Highly motivated, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable to evolving priorities in a dynamic biotech environment, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans.
• Paid vacation and statutory holidays.

• Structured training and professional development programs.
• Annual performance reviews with merit‑based bonuses.
• Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge, proprietary antibody discovery technologies.
• Direct exposure to advanced AI‑guided therapeutic discovery platforms.

The salary range for this position is $80,000–$110,000 CAD annually, commensurate with experience, technical expertise, and qualifications. Final compensation will reflect internal equity, relevant industry experience, and candidate qualifications.