Job Description
Job Title: Associate Scientist, Protein Engineering
Location: Watertown, MA (Onsite) The Role Digital Biology is seeking an exceptional Associate Scientist to support our protein optimization and engineering efforts to drive biologics discovery and optimization. You will work at the intersection of target discovery, validation, and high-throughput screening, supporting our discovery teams by applying cutting-edge protein design and engineering techniques. This role will also provide exposure to our in-house cutting-edge spatial sequencing technology that can precisely analyze patient tumor samples and 3-D tumor tissue models.
As a protein-engineering specialist, you will be responsible for executing precise molecular biology strategies to manipulate the functional and/or biophysical characteristics of proteins. You will also be responsible for ensuring exceptional ELN (Electronic Lab Notebook) documentation and for collaborating closely with discovery and engineering teams to collectively drive key data-driven decisions in our therapeutic programs. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, demonstrated technical expertise in molecular biology, protein production/purification, and quantifying protein-protein interactions, as well as proficiency with protein library design, library panning/sorting/screening and monolayer immune cytotoxicity assays.
This is an exciting opportunity to work hands-on with a cutting-edge platform for therapeutics optimization, contribute to key therapeutic programs, and grow within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary biotech environment.
Key Responsibilities - Support internal biologics discovery teams by optimizing small scale eukaryotic protein expression workflows:
- DNA manipulation, site-directed mutagenesis and cloning
- Vector(s) (co-)transfection and/or electroporation
- Affinity-based protein purification
- Protein-protein interactions: ELISA, SPR, and BLI
- Cell culture, including cell line maintenance.
- Cell-based binding (FACS)
- Support bispecific production and protein optimization through interfacing with CROs
- Ensure meticulous data entry and documentation in Benchling Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), maintaining process integrity and traceability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering and bioinformatics, to refine workflow operations, protocols, and analysis outputs.
- Troubleshoot and optimize lab workflows, continuously improving the data quality and efficiency.
- Work closely with Operations team and Process Scientists to ensure organization of samples, reagents, and lab protocols.
Who You Are You are a detail-oriented, process-driven scientist with strong expertise in molecular biology and quantification of protein-protein interaction. You thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative lab environment and are excited to interface with cutting-edge spatial sequencing technology. Your ability to meticulously document data, follow complex protocols, and troubleshoot experimental workflows makes you an essential part of our discovery team.
Qualifications - BS/MS in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in a research or industry setting.
- Strong technical expertise in molecular biology (including qPCR)
- Strong technical expertise in various protein chromatography techniques like: SDS-PAGE, SEC, IEX, HIC etc
- Strong technical expertise in quantifying protein-protein interactions
- Strong technical expertise in quantifying cell-based binding (FACS-based EC50 determination)
- Strong experience in ELN documentation (Benchling preferred) and data organization, with an emphasis on maintaining highly accurate records.
- Excited to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment and effectively communicate results.
- Exceptionally detail-oriented, organized, and process-driven with a strong ability to troubleshoot experimental workflows.
- Strong commitment to lab organization and operations.
Preferred Qualifications - Industry experience in a biotech or pharma setting.
- Experience interfacing with CROs and external collaborations
- Exposure to computational biology and working alongside bioinformatics or engineering teams.
- Experience with expressing and purifying multi-chain (multi-specific) biologics
- Early phase protein developability assays: AC-SINS, aSEC, HIC, poly-reactivity assays, protein bridging assays etc.
- Protein Library Design, phage or yeast display and Library panning/sorting/ screening
- NGS library preparation
- Tissue-sectioning and histology
- Experience with immune cytotoxicity assays
At Digital Biology, we believe that diverse perspectives drive scientific breakthroughs. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative team environment.
Company Benefits: Health, vision, life, dental insurance and 401K plan.
If you don't meet all of the requirements listed here, we still encourage you to apply or reach out to us. No job description is perfect - we may find an even more suitable opportunity that is a better fit for you. Digital Biology
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