Description
About the role
We are seeking a Scientist / Senior Scientist to join our very early-stage stealth biotech company. Based at Alexandria Launch Labs in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood, this is a hands-on, on-site lab role for an experimental scientist who is excited to help build a new technological platform from the ground up. We’re looking for someone who enjoys working closely with a small team, tackling important technical challenges, and helping shape both the science and the way the lab operates, with a particular focus on antibody chemistry, protein bioconjugation, purification, and characterization.
What you’ll do
Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments involving antibodies, antibody-derived constructs, and related protein reagents.
Develop and optimize antibody chemistry and bioconjugation workflows, including site-selective and residue-selective labeling/modification strategies where relevant.
Purify and characterize antibodies, proteins, and conjugates using affinity methods, SEC, ion exchange, FPLC/ÄKTA, and HPLC.
Develop analytical workflows to assess purity, yield, conjugation efficiency, aggregation, and sample quality.
Perform and interpret protein characterization experiments, including SDS-PAGE, concentration/quality checks, buffer prep, and biochemical or binding assays depending on project needs.
Express and purify recombinant proteins when needed, primarily in E. coli (though experience with mammalian expression is also a benefit), including troubleshooting expression, solubility, and yields.
Analyze data, communicate findings clearly, and help guide next experimental steps.
Track samples, maintain strong documentation, and contribute to internal reports, SOPs, invention disclosures, and publications where relevant.
Help build robust lab workflows and infrastructure, including inventory, reagent prep, equipment upkeep, and continuous process improvement.
Requirements
What we’re looking for
PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, or a related field, or BS/MS with 5+ years of highly relevant industry or academic experience.
Strong hands-on experience with antibody chemistry, protein bioconjugation, or antibody-related workflows.
Experience with protein purification and characterization, including FPLC/ÄKTA and possibly HPLC.
Strong experimental background in protein handling, analytical characterization, and biochemical assay development.
Familiarity with recombinant protein expression and purification, ideally including E. coli, but not necessarily as the main focus of prior work.
Ability to independently troubleshoot, optimize methods, and drive projects forward with limited oversight.
Strong organization and documentation habits.
Clear communicator who can share results and reasoning with teammates from different backgrounds.
Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment where priorities evolve and multiple workflows run in parallel.
Nice-to-haves
Experience with antibody conjugates, linker chemistry, cysteine/lysine labeling, or site-specific conjugation methods.
Familiarity with immunology or therapeutic antibody development workflows.
Exposure to single-molecule biophysics, including nanopore or fluorescence-based methods.
Experience with mass spec for protein or conjugate characterization.
Experience with mammalian or yeast expression systems.
Basic scripting or data analysis experience.
Evidence of scientific ownership through papers, patents, posters, talks, or invention disclosures.
