DescriptionHeadquarters Location: Emeryville, CA
Candidate Location: Hybrid
Travel Required: 5%
Reports To: VP, Platform Biology & Bioanalysis
Department: Platform Biology & Bioanalysis
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Who You Are and What You'll Do:You are passionate about life sciences and making a difference to cancer patients, their families, and healthcare providers. You will serve as the in-house mass spectrometry expert supporting Platform Biology, Bioanalysis, and ADC research programs. The role will be responsible for designing and executing studies that inform molecule characterization, metabolism, catabolism, linker-payloads, biomarkers, and mechanism of action. The position will partner broadly across Research and Development to address complex analytical challenges and translate MS data into actionable program decisions.
Job Responsibilities: - Serve as the subject matter expert for mass spectrometry-based characterization of biologics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), linker-payloads, and related biomolecules across discovery and development programs.
- Design, develop, and implement LC-MS/MS and high-resolution mass spectrometry methods to support molecule characterization, linker-payload stability, catabolism, payload release, and mechanism-of-action studies.
- Lead characterization of ADC attributes including drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR), conjugation heterogeneity, linker stability, payload-related species, and degradation products.
- Apply mass spectrometry and proteomics approaches to investigate protease biology, protease substrate specificity, and protease-mediated processing relevant to CytomX's Probody® and ADC platforms.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to generate analytical data that informs candidate selection, optimization, and development decisions.
- Develop innovative mass spectrometry approaches for characterization of proteins, peptides, biomarkers, and complex biological matrices.
- Provide scientific leadership in the interpretation of mass spectrometry data and communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams.
- Oversee and scientifically direct external CRO activities requiring specialized mass spectrometry expertise.
- Author technical reports, study summaries, scientific publications, and presentations.
- Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building scientific excellence across the organization.
- Stay current with emerging advancements in mass spectrometry, proteomics, and analytical technologies and evaluate opportunities for implementation at CytomX.
- Independently define and manage budget and other resources for own team and projects overseen.
Minimum Qualifications: - Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline with 4-5+ years of relevant industry experience. Extensive hands-on experience with LC-MS/MS and mass spectrometry platforms (e.g., Orbitrap and triple quadrupole instruments) in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO environment.
- Demonstrated expertise in mass spectrometry-based characterization of proteins, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and/or other complex biologics.
- Experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting mass spectrometry workflows and interpreting complex datasets to support research and development programs.
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience developing and applying novel mass spectrometry-based approaches to address complex biological, biochemical, and mechanistic questions.
- Experience characterizing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), including drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR), conjugation heterogeneity, linker-payload stability, payload release, and catabolite characterization.
- Strong understanding of protein chemistry, bioconjugation, post-translational modifications, and analytical characterization of biologics.
- Knowledge of protease biology and enzyme-substrate interactions, including cleavage-site specificity and the kinetics of proteolytic processing; experience applying it to cleavable linkers, prodrugs, or other protease-activated molecules is a plus.
- Proven ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate complex datasets to multidisciplinary scientific teams.
- Experience with advanced analytical and bioanalytical technologies, including capillary electrophoresis (CE), capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF), ELISA/Ligand Binding Assays, CE-MS, and mass spectrometry-based approaches for characterization of biologics and ADCs.
- Experience developing novel analytical approaches to address complex biological and biochemical questions.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Experience managing external CROs and scientific collaborations.
- Demonstrated project leadership and mentoring experience in a biotechnology environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively present scientific findings to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while successfully collaborating within cross-functional teams.
- Records of scientific achievements demonstrated through publications, patents, conference presentations, or significant technical contributions.
How You Will Work:- Demonstrates collaboration and teamwork. Works well with others and understands that collaboration leads to better results.
- Possesses strong communication skills. Communicates clearly, concisely, and professionally. Listens actively to build understanding.
- Exhibits strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness. Builds and cultivates strong and enduring relationships with others. Acts with humility and understands own strengths and weaknesses.
- Shows continuous improvement and a commitment to self-management and development. Operates with a continuous improvement mindset and continuously seeks to expand own knowledge and capabilities.
- Demonstrates a patient focus. Puts the patient first in actions and decisions taken.
- Contributes to strategy and innovation. Contributes to or leads elevating and actionable strategies. Ideates and creates unique opportunities to advance the organization.
- Demonstrates leadership and a commitment to organizational values. Takes ownership and has a strong sense of personal accountability. Consistently achieves or exceeds goals and expectations. Puts significant emphasis on living / upholding company values.
- Demonstrates ability and commitment to building effective teams. Attracts, develops, and retains diverse top talent. Aligns, mobilizes, and engages others to achieve and sustain peak performance.
- Has a track record of driving vision and purpose in teams.
Compensation, Benefits, and So Much More - The expected salary range for this role based on the primary location for this position in California is $175,000 - $200,000 per year. Offer amounts are determined by factors such as experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
- A great environment where we work collaboratively, leverage each other's strengths, and work toward a shared vision with our common goals of doing the best thing for patients.
- A robust and enduring approach to your development and career growth fueled by a strong learning curriculum and career guidance that helps you understand how you can grow your career at CytomX.
- A robust and highly competitive total rewards program that helps you achieve your compensation goals while supporting a great work / life balance.
Conditions of Employment - Background investigations are required for all positions at CytomX, consistent with applicable law.
