Position Summary:PharmaEssentia Innovation Research Center (PIRC) is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative
Scientist I,
Biotherapeutics to join the Biologics Platform team. The successful candidate will support discovery and early development of innovative biologic therapeutics, including antibodies, cytokines, multi-specifics, and T cell engagers. This role will focus on the identification, characterization, and optimization of lead candidates through integrated protein engineering, immune-cell assay development, and mechanism-of-action studies. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in protein, immunology, and/or cancer biology, along with hands-on experience designing and/or evaluating therapeutic molecules in immunology or immuno-oncology discovery projects. As a valued contributor to a growing and dynamic team, this individual will help drive our mission to develop transformative therapies for patients.
Summary of Key Responsibilities: - Contribute to pipeline program and discovery project workstreams supporting target validation, candidate selection, and lead candidate optimization.
- Collaborate with internal research teams, external partners, and CROs to integrate experimental data with candidate selection criteria.
- Prepare high-quality internal presentations, scientific reports, external publications, or conference presentations, as appropriate.
- Stay current with emerging advances in immuno-oncology and relevant therapeutic modalities and communicate key findings internally.
- Provide scientific input within project teams and support the training or mentorship of junior team members.
Essential Qualifications: - PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cancer Biology or a related scientific discipline, with 0-2 years of relevant post-PhD experience in an academic or industry research setting.
- Experience with antibody, multi-specific, or other protein-based therapeutics, including formatting, production, characterization (e.g., affinity, epitope, developability), and functional evaluation.
- Hands-on experience designing, executing, and interpreting immune cell-based assays, including flow cytometry, cytotoxicity assays, co-cultures, and other immunoassays.
- Demonstrated ability to independently advance scientific projects, collaborate cross-functionally, and communicate scientific findings clearly through written reports, presentations, publications, patents, or related scientific outputs.
- Proficiency with data analysis and molecular biology software, such as FlowJo, GraphPad Prism, Geneious, etc.
- Collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented mindset, with the ability to contribute effectively within a dynamic research environment.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience in cancer immunology and immuno-oncology.
- Working knowledge of emerging and established protein engineering technologies such as AI/ML-based protein optimization, structure-based rational mutagenesis, or combinatorial display-based technologies such as yeast and phage.
- Working knowledge of in vivo tumor model design, data analysis, interpretation, and translational relevance.
