At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and execute experiments for antibody research and data generation.
- Company: Join Abcam's innovative team in the Danaher Affinity Reagents Autonomous Laboratory.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative lab environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on challenging targets and cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in antibody discovery and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: PhD in life sciences with 5+ years in antibody discovery or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Abcam is seeking a Senior Scientist – Antibody Data & Epitope Strategy to join the Danaher Affinity Reagents Autonomous Laboratory (DARAL) in Cambridge, UK. This lab‑based position reports to the Director of Production and focuses on experimental antibody research and data generation with an emphasis on sequencing, repertoire diversity, and epitope‑level insight.
In This Role, You Will Have The Opportunity To:
- Design and execute experiments to generate antibody sequence, repertoire, and epitope‑level data.
- Integrate sequencing outputs with binding and functional data to understand antibody diversity and convergence.
- Develop experimental strategies that link sequence space to biological behaviour across hard targets.
- Use data‑driven insight to inform antibody format choice, target prioritisation, and progression decisions within DARAL.
- Partner with engineering, automation, and data teams to ensure sequencing‑enabled experiments are scalable and reusable.
The Essential Requirements Of The Job Include:
- PhD (or equivalent) in a life sciences discipline, with 5+ years’ experience in antibody discovery, protein science, or related experimental fields.
- Strong understanding of antibody sequence–structure–function relationships, including epitope recognition and biological context.
- Hands‑on experience generating or analysing antibody sequence or repertoire data.
- Experience with experimental approaches to epitope characterisation (e.g. competition assays, mutagenesis, domain mapping, or binning strategies).
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain scientific trade‑offs and priorities to diverse stakeholders.
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Antibody repertoire sequencing, NGS‑enabled discovery, or diversity analysis.
- Alternative antibody formats (e.g. VHHs, scFvs, engineered libraries).
- Relating sequence and epitope diversity to downstream reagent performance.
- Working on hard‑to‑drug or historically challenging targets (e.g. membrane proteins).
- Supporting higher‑throughput or automation‑ready antibody discovery workflows.
Senior Scientist - Antibody Discovery, Sequencing & Epitope Strategy in Cambridge employer: Abcam
Abcam is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment within the cutting-edge Danaher Affinity Reagents Autonomous Laboratory in Cambridge, UK. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, employees benefit from a culture that fosters professional growth through hands-on experience and partnerships with engineering and data teams. The company prioritises employee development and provides unique opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking research in antibody discovery, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful scientific impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist - Antibody Discovery, Sequencing & Epitope Strategy in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the antibody discovery field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your hands dirty with practical experience. If you can, volunteer or take on short-term projects related to antibody research. This not only boosts your CV but also shows potential employers your commitment and passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of antibody sequence-structure-function relationships. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role at Abcam. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist - Antibody Discovery, Sequencing & Epitope Strategy in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your experience in antibody discovery and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about antibody research and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about working at Abcam!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your hands-on experience with sequencing and epitope characterisation. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of antibody sequence-structure-function relationships.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our team at DARAL!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abcam
✨Know Your Antibodies
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of antibody discovery and the latest sequencing techniques. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with generating or analysing antibody sequence data, as well as any experimental approaches you've used for epitope characterisation.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those related to hard-to-drug targets or complex experimental designs. Highlight your ability to link sequence data to biological behaviour and how that informed your decisions.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex scientific concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to demonstrate your excellent communication skills, especially when discussing trade-offs and priorities with diverse stakeholders. Think about how you can make your insights accessible to non-specialists.
✨Collaborate and Integrate
Be ready to talk about your experience working with cross-functional teams, such as engineering and automation. Discuss how you’ve partnered with others to ensure experiments are scalable and reusable, and how that collaboration has led to successful outcomes.