Associate Scientist - Expression and Early Development

Overview

Associate Scientist – Expression and Early Development at Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd

Reporting to the Senior Director of Expression and Early Development (EED), the Antibody Associate Scientist will be a lab-based role supporting mammalian expression and purification of high-quality monoclonal antibodies. The role will provide critical material for downstream research activities, including in-vivo studies, perform early developability assessments to select optimal candidates for progression into development, and applying state-of-the-art scientific approaches to evaluate and select monoclonal antibody candidates for development.

The antibody scientist will have the unique opportunity to be involved from the outset in developing R&D capabilities within a fast-growing, dynamic biotech environment, while also having the chance to become a subject matter expert throughout the company.

Responsibilities

• Carry out molecular biology work flows using vectors to express antibodies from CHO cells.
• Express and purify high quality monoclonal antibody batches for use in in-vitro and in-vivo research studies.
• Contribute to developing in-house built antibody production platform to supply antibody material at various scales to meet assay requirements.
• Employ chromatography strategies for purification of mg to gram quantity mAb batches using an AKTA platform.
• Design and conduct mAb stability studies, analysing with appropriate QC and controls for both small scale screening and formalised stability studies on lead mAbs.
• Perform in silico analysis and developability assessments of lead molecules
• Application of QC assays, as well as biophysical and biochemical characterisation to identify and select antibody drug candidates for progression into development.
• Represent the team in multi-team project meetings to progress Alchemab lead projects.
• Maintain accurate and timely laboratory records in compliance with company procedures.
• Proactively solve problems on a day-to-day basis.
• Demonstrable understanding of antibody structure, function and the antibody drug development process.
• Foundational experience in mammalian expression of antibodies using CHO cells including transfection, application of chromatography methods used in antibody purification and running chromatography systems.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships across the business.
• A team player who proactively and directly communicates and collaborates with other team members across our sites.
• Adaptable to the changing requirements of Alchemab’s research programmes in a fast-paced environment.
• Intermediate experience and knowledge of standard biochemical and biophysical techniques used to characterise and QC monoclonal antibodies.
• Molecular biology technique expertise including vector design and cloning.
• Familiar with real time and accelerated stability studies and assessing outcomes for biologics.
• A thorough knowledge and experience of in-silico and lab-based approaches to assess the developability and manufacturability of monoclonal antibodies.

Qualifications

Degree/diploma in a relevant biological discipline plus experience in a relevant area or equivalent

Relevant industry experience

About Us

Alchemab has developed a highly differentiated platform which enables the identification of novel drug targets and therapeutics by analysis of patient antibody repertoires. The platform uses well-defined patient samples, deep B cell sequencing, and computational analysis to identify convergent protective antibody responses among individuals that are susceptible but resilient to specific diseases.

Alchemab is building a broad pipeline of protective therapeutics for hard-to-treat diseases, with an initial focus on neurodegenerative conditions and oncology. The highly specialized patient samples that power Alchemab’s platform are made available through valued partnerships and collaborations with patient representative groups, biobanks, industry partners, and academic institutions.

The company is based and headquartered in Cambridge, UK with the widely acclaimed Dr. Jane Osbourn leading the company as CEO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organisation.

Note to recruitment agencies: we are not looking for assistance at this stage so please contact the HR department only at hr@alchemab.com if you think you can help in the future.