Senior Scientist, Antibody Characterization

Xaira Therapeutics
South San Francisco, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Aimed at mid-to-senior-level biophysicists or biochemists who thrive in hands-on lab environments and startup cultures.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 5+ years of industry experience in antibody characterization and a track record in biophysics or biochemistry
    — “PhD degree in a relevant discipline with 5+ years of industry experience or a BS/MS degree with 10+ years of industry experience”
  • Individuals with a history of using BLI and SPR platforms for high-throughput antibody analysis
    — “Characterize antibodies in high-throughput manner via biolayer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor platforms”
  • Professionals who enjoy cross-functional collaboration and are comfortable in dynamic, fast-evolving startup settings
    — “Strong collaborative skills and interest in working in cross-functional teams and a startup environment”

Things to consider

  • The role requires lab-based work, which may not suit candidates preferring remote or computational work
    — “This is a hands-on, lab-based position”
  • Candidates must be prepared to work with multiple antibody formats, including bispecific and antibody-like molecules
    — “Extensive experience in antibody screening including monoclonals, bispecific, and other antibody-like molecules”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with Carterra and Biacore platforms in your resume and interviews
    — “Extensive hands-on experience with ELISA, BLI and SPR based platforms (Carterra, Biacore)”
  • Emphasize your ability to analyze and curate experimental data for cross-functional teams
    — “Analyze experimental data, curate results and reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams”
  • Showcase your background in protein characterization techniques such as DLS, DSF, and SEC
    — “Basic knowledge of protein production, purification and characterization techniques (including affinity, ion exchange, HIC, DLS, DSF and SEC)”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • characterizing antibodies
  • screening for off-target binding
  • early developability assessment
  • presenting findings to cross-functional teams
Typical background
PhD in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biologyindustry experience in antibody characterization

Skills & requirements

Required

Antibody CharacterizationBiolayer InterferometrySurface Plasmon ResonanceProtein ProductionPurification And Characterization TechniquesData Analysis

Preferred

Assay AutomationFluorescence Based Binding Assays

Stack & domain

Antibody CharacterizationBiolayer InterferometrySurface Plasmon ResonanceElisaProtein ProductionPurificationCharacterization TechniquesData Analysis SoftwareProactive AttitudeOrganizational SkillsCommunicationCollaborationProblem-solvingTroubleshootingBiotechDrug DiscoveryAI

About the role

Original posting from Xaira Therapeutics via Greenhouse

About Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.

About the Role

As a part of the Protein Analytics team, you will play a crucial role in discovering and developing novel biotherapeutics. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience characterization of monoclonal and bi/multispecific antibodies within a biotherapeutics discovery setting, coupled with a proactive and can-do attitude. This is a hands-on, lab-based position. 

Responsibilities:

Support the discovery and development of therapeutic molecules through hands-on laboratory work.

Characterize antibodies in high-throughput manner via biolayer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor platforms to determine Yes/No binding, Kinetics and Affinity information.

Screen antibodies and other antibody-like molecules for off-target binding assessment via BVP ELISA or other poly-specificity/poly-reactivity assays.

Perform early developability assessment on antibody panels using SPR, DLS, DSF, SEC and ELISA platforms.

Support other workflows as needed, including fluorescence based binding assays and assay automation.

Analyze experimental data, curate results and reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams.

Maintain experimental records in an ELN.

Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and contribute to lab organization and operations.

Qualifications:

PhD degree in a relevant discipline with 5+ years of industry experience or a BS/MS degree with 10+ years of industry experience in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology, or a related discipline

Candidates with fewer years of experience are also encouraged to apply, and the leveling of the role can be adjusted if needed

Extensive experience in antibody screening including monoclonals, bispecific, and other antibody-like molecules.

Extensive hands-on experience with ELISA, BLI and SPR based platforms (Carterra, Biacore).

Basic knowledge of protein production, purification and characterization techniques (including affinity, ion exchange, HIC, DLS, DSF and SEC).

Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) and other statistical tools.

Proactive attitude with a self-starter mindset.

Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Strong collaborative skills and interest in working in cross-functional teams and a startup environment.

Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.

Ability to work independently with accountability and meticulous attention to detail.

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity.  The base pay range for this position is expected to be $136,000 - $170,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Source: Xaira Therapeutics careers (Greenhouse)

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