Director of Protein Engineering
Summit Therapeutics, Inc.
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Palo Alto • California • United States
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Salary
💰 $200,000 - $250,000 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Drive multiple drug discovery programs concurrently, ensuring efficient progression from conceptual design to the selection of clinical development candidates, meeting aggressive project timelines.
- Lead the design, development and engineering of novel protein therapeutics, including antibodies and bispecific/multimeric molecules, to enhance function, stability, safety and developability for oncology applications.
- Utilize molecular engineering approaches driven by AI/ML, novel display technology, directed evolution and structure-guided design, to optimize protein candidates.
- Perform hands-on protein expression in transient eukaryotic systems (e.g., HEK293, CHO cells) and generate stable expression cell lines.
- Execute protein purification using various chromatography techniques (affinity, IEX, SEC, etc.) and FPLC/HPLC systems.
- Conduct comprehensive analytical and functional characterization of engineered proteins using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, ELISA, flow cytometry, SPR/BLI, and endotoxin measurement.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive projects from target validation through candidate nomination.
- Troubleshoot experiments, develop new protocols, and document findings in electronic lab notebooks and technical reports.
- Present data and research updates effectively at internal meetings and external scientific conferences.
- Stay current with the latest advancements in protein engineering, cancer biology, and immunotherapy to propose and implement innovative technologies.
Requirements
- PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific field (or MS with equivalent industry experience).
- A minimum of 10+ years of relevant experience in recombinant protein engineering and expression within an academic or industrial setting.
- Extensive hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA manipulation, cloning, and mutagenesis.
- Proficiency in protein expression, purification, and characterization.
- Familiarity with computational modeling tools and bioinformatics software (e.g., PyMOL, Geneious) for physical chemical characterization for protein design is desirable.
- Experience with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), T-cell engagers, or other immune-based therapeutic modalities is a plus.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and a proactive, hands-on attitude.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with meticulous attention to detail in documentation and record-keeping.
- Ability to work both independently/team leader and collaboratively within a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
Benefits
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Applicant Tracking System Keywords
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Hard Skills & Tools
protein engineeringprotein expressionprotein purificationmolecular biology techniquesDNA manipulationcloningmutagenesisanalytical characterizationchromatography techniquesAI/ML
Soft Skills
problem-solvingcommunicationattention to detailcollaborationleadershipproactive attitudedocumentationtroubleshootingprotocol developmentpresentation skills
Certifications
PhD in BiochemistryPhD in Molecular BiologyPhD in Chemical EngineeringMS in related scientific field