Senior Research Associate – Protein Expression & Process Development

Kiso Ji Biotech is advancing next-generation antibody therapeutics through the 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 Associates to lead and support our recombinant protein expression and purification workflows across multiple expression systems including 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 position will involve close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams spanning molecular biology, antibody engineering, AI‑guided discovery, and analytical characterization.

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

Position
Senior Research Associate

Department
Process Development

Qualifications & Responsibilities
Education & Experience

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

Core Technical Responsibilities

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

What We Offer

Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans

Paid vacation and statutory holidays

Growth & Development

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

Compensation
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.

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