ICON plc

Senior Research Scientist

ICON plc$95K — $115K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Protein Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, or relevant field (2 years experience) or Master's degree (5 years experience).
  • Hands-on expertise in protein chemistry and recombinant protein expression and purification.
  • Experience in antibody purification and characterization, including workflow optimization.
  • Proficiency in chromatography techniques (affinity, ion exchange, SEC) for protein purification.
  • Familiarity with analytical techniques like SEC-HPLC, DSF, BLI, and SPR.
  • Ability to troubleshoot protein expression and purification challenges.
  • Experience in supporting drug discovery through protein chemistry.

Responsibilities

  • Independently design and optimize recombinant protein constructs for various applications.
  • Perform mammalian cell transfections and maintain cell lines for protein production.
  • Develop protein purification workflows using chromatography methods.
  • Characterize proteins and antibodies using biochemical and biophysical techniques.
  • Establish quality control criteria for proteins and antibodies.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues in protein and antibody production and quality.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement and pension plans to secure financial future.
  • Life assurance and disability coverage for added security.
  • Access to employee assistance programs and wellbeing resources.
  • Opportunities for learning and development through structured training and career pathways.
Full Job Description
Sr. Research Scientist - Wilmington, DE
  • Independently design and optimize recombinant protein constructs for expression and downstream applications.

  • Perform transfection of plasmids into mammalian cells, cell line maintenance, generation of baculovirus, and protein expression in insect (Sf9) and mammalian systems.

  • Express recombinant proteins using bacterial expression systems and optimize conditions to maximize yield, solubility, and quality.

  • Develop, optimize, and execute protein purification workflows using chromatography techniques includingaffinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

  • Develop and execute purification strategies for antibodies, antibody fragments, and antibody-containing complexes.

  • Performantibody purification and QC, including assessment of purity, aggregation, integrity, concentration, and overall sample quality using appropriate analytical methods.

  • Characterize purified proteins and antibodies using a broad range ofbiochemical and biophysical techniques, including analytical SEC/HPLC, SDS-PAGE, intact-mass analysis where applicable, DSF/thermal shift assays, BLI, SPR, and other analytical assays.

  • Establish and applyprotein and antibody quality-control criteriato ensure samples are suitable for structural studies, binding assays, biochemical assays, immunization campaigns, and other downstream applications.

  • Evaluate protein and antibody stability, homogeneity, aggregation state, concentration, and batch-to-batch consistency; identify potential quality issues and implement appropriate corrective strategies.

  • Troubleshoot recombinant protein and antibody expression, purification, and stability challenges to improve yield, purity, monodispersity, and functional quality.

  • Generate high-quality protein samples and protein complexes forX-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, biophysical studies, biochemical assays, and other structural biology applications.

  • Support antibody discovery programs by providing purified and well-characterized antibody molecules and complexes for downstream functional and structural characterization.

  • Independently plan and execute small- and large-scale expression, purification, and characterization experiments while effectively managing multiple projects and priorities.

  • Contribute to the daily operations of a highly productive protein production laboratory, including maintaining equipment, improving workflows, and supporting laboratory development and technology implementation.

  • Analyze and interpret experimental data, communicate results clearly, and make data-driven recommendations that can influence program strategy and decision-making.

  • Collaborate effectively with protein engineers, structural biologists, assay scientists, computational scientists, and project teams in a highly matrixed environment.

  • Contribute to the development and implementation ofAI-enabled and technology-driven approachesto accelerate protein production, characterization, structural biology, and drug discovery workflows.

  • Maintain accurate experimental records and communicate results through presentations, written reports, and cross-functional project meetings.

  • Work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining high scientific and operational standards.

Requirements

  • PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Protein Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, or a related field withat least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree withat least 5 years of relevant experiencein drug discovery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, or an academic laboratory.

  • Demonstrated hands-on expertise inprotein chemistry, recombinant protein expression, purification, and biophysical characterization.

  • Experience with purification and characterization ofantibodies and/or antibody fragments, including development and optimization of purification workflows and analytical QC.

  • Demonstrated experience evaluatingprotein and antibody purity, homogeneity, aggregation, stability, integrity, and suitability for downstream applications.

  • Proficiency with chromatography-based purification techniques, including affinity, ion exchange, and SEC.

  • Experience with analytical and biophysical techniques such asSEC-HPLC, DSF/thermal stability assays, BLI, SPR.

  • Proven ability to troubleshoot challenging protein expression and purification problems and independently develop effective solutions.

  • Proven experience supportingdrug discovery programs through protein chemistry.

  • Ability to independently manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and deliver high-quality results on established timelines.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively incross-functional and matrixed teams.

  • Self-driven, creative, scientifically curious, and entrepreneurial, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving research environment.


Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.


Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.


Benefits may include:

  • Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
  • Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
  • Retirement and pension plans
  • Life assurance and disability coverage
  • Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
  • Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location.


Visit our to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

About ICON plc

ICON plc is a global provider of drug development and commercialisation services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development. ICON has approximately 15700 employees in 40 countries. The company was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1990 and is headquartered in Leopardstown, Dublin. ICON has been publicly traded on the NASDAQ since 1998.
Learn more about ICON plc
Size
39,300 employees
Market Cap
$16.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$332.3 million
Founded
2017
5 Year Trend
+26.9%
Revenue
$2.7 billion
NASDAQ

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