Job Title: Scientist, Antibody Engineering
Location: Stevenage
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Are you passionate about making life science life changing and delivering impact for patients? We want to hear from you.
About the role:
The Scientist, Antibody Engineering role at LifeArc offers the prospect of being fully involved in multiple antibody humanisation or discovery projects.
Working as part of our Antibody Engineering team, you will support the antibody humanisation activities as well as any modifications and engineering of antibodies required during the lead optimisation phase.
You will be responsible for assessing the properties of antibody-based molecules with a range of assays and techniques as part of discovery or humanisation campaigns. This will require performing specialised and non-routine experiences as well as analysing and interpreting data and presenting results/conclusions to project leaders and the wider project team.
Key responsibilities:
- Deliver optimised antibodies through humanisation and other engineering strategies
- Use molecular modelling and sequence analysis to design engineered antibody variants.
- Screen antibody variants using high throughput expression and binding studies, including ELISA and binding kinetics.
- Perform and support more detailed analysis of lead antibody panels for detailed binding, function and developability criteria
- Provide clear verbal and written reports/presentations internally as required
(Essential) experience required:
- Hands-on experience of developing, setting-up and using binding assays such as ELISA, or similar biochemical assays, to assess key parameters of antibody-based molecules
- Practical experience in protein (antibody) expression in mammalian cells
(Essential) Education:
- PhD in a life science or relevant discipline or BSc/MSc Degree with relevant substantial laboratory experience in an outcome driven discovery setting
Desirable:
- Experience in an industrial or industry-like setting
- Working knowledge of antibody discovery strategies, high-throughput screening methods or biophysical analytical techniques
- Hands-on experience in other assay technologies such as determining binding kinetics by SPR or related biophysical methods
- Knowhow regarding the examination or modelling of molecular structures
- Understanding of antibody structure and antibody engineering approaches such as Fc engineering
Skills & abilities:
- Focused on the generation of robust data and its clear presentation in verbal and written formats
- Ability to work well with others as a self-motivated, proactive and adaptable team player
- Organised and meticulous with details and accuracy
- Critical and analytical thinker, displaying intellectual curiosity to embrace opportunities and expand skills with new methods or equipment.
About us:
LifeArc is a not-for-profit life science organisation, leading the way for change in rare diseases in the UK and supporting promising initiatives in global health. We seek out research in areas of unmet need that has great potential, providing support to help it become breakthroughs that change lives.
What we can offer you:
Focused on finding life changing solutions for underserved patients, our people thrive in an inclusive, and supportive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing. Our multidisciplinary approach guarantees our people growth opportunities, while our culture of innovation and collaboration drives the impact we make delivering on our purpose of ‘putting patients at the centre of everything we do’.
LifeArc is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to candidates with a disability or long-term health condition who meet the essential criteria for the role.
Please note that in certain situations, such as high volumes of applications, it may not be practical to interview all eligible candidates. In these cases, we may need to select those who best meet the essential criteria. (At LifeArc, the Disability Confident Scheme’s ‘minimum criteria’ is referred to as ‘essential criteria’).
Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds, for example, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At LifeArc we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so whatever your background or lived experience, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate, and you may be just right for this or other roles.
We all have potential. At LifeArc, you’ll discover what you can really do with it.
Agencies: We will only work with recruitment partners on our preferred supplier list and will not engage with speculative CVs submitted.
