Associate Director, Antibody Platform in Oxford

Location of role: Oxford, UK

Department: Antibody Research

Key Responsibilities

• The primary purpose of this role is to leverage emerging expertise and subject matter knowledge in antibody technologies and biologics drug discovery to address significant and complex challenges, aligning work with the wider Immunocore’s strategy.
• The individual will interpret internal and external business context, recommend best practices, and identify new solutions to improve products and processes.
• They will make timely, tough decisions, effectively dealing with ambiguity and limited information.
• The role involves developing and executing the strategy for antibody discovery and engineering, leveraging machine learning, with a focus on engineering multi‑specifics.
• The incumbent will be expected to maintain strategic awareness of the market, competitive landscape, and opportunities, understanding the impact of their decisions on short‑term and long‑term results.
• They will interact proactively with key stakeholders, influencing, negotiating, and persuading on difficult concepts, and regularly presenting at high‑profile meetings.
• Leadership is a key component, with responsibilities including leading functional teams or projects, serving as a best practices resource, and providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to professional and managerial employees.
• Advanced people management skills are essential, with a focus on managing changing priorities, inspiring and motivating the team, and fostering a climate of creativity and empowerment.
• The individual will create a safe environment for learning and development, establish clear career paths, and hold career development conversations.
• They will proactively manage talent development, provide challenging opportunities, and offer constructive feedback, holding individuals accountable for their self‑development.
• The role requires effective coaching skills, the ability to bring vision and strategy to life, and the capacity to engage in difficult conversations to inspire action and create a sense of purpose.
• Provides deep scientific and technical expertise in antibody research, including antibody fragments and multi‑specifics, discovery approaches, affinity maturation, and developability criteria and assays.
• Shape, establish and maintain strategic capabilities to further develop and continually improve our antibody platform.
• Bridge antibody strategy with execution by the laboratory‑based teams using outsourcing as/when appropriate.
• Identify innovative antibody technologies and leverage machine learning to benefit discovery and engineering.
• Co‑lead innovative technology and/or drug discovery projects.
• Analyse, interpret and effectively communicate plans and findings at departmental, project, and leadership team meetings, providing go/no‑go recommendations.
• Liaise with Therapy area leaders and the drug pipeline‑focused teams to identify and trial new approaches.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders across Research and the wider organisation and present to governance committees as required on recommendations.
• Develop and maintain relevant internal and external scientific networks.
• Keeping up to date knowledge/awareness of external antibody related research, both academic and industrial.
• Lead and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications, invention disclosures and patents.
• Present at international conferences.
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety guidelines, electronic lab notebooks and other systems, policies & procedures.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Responsible for leading a team of 6‑8 scientists.
• Setting objectives and goals, providing regular feedback on personal performance and reviewing progress against objectives.
• Recognizing and acknowledging the success of individuals, teams and projects.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in protein engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology or related discipline and at least 10 years of related experience; or equivalent experience.
• Experienced in biologics drug discovery in industry.
• Experience with a variety of antibody discovery platforms, affinity maturation methods, developability analytics and tools, application of machine learning.
• Understands the clinical impact of antibody and multi‑specific‑based therapies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in leading teams or project(s) and successfully delivering objectives to time.
• Understands the significance and impact of antibody and multi‑specific‑based therapies, is aware of the relevant technologies in the field and understands the similarities and differences within each of these.
• Strong publication record.
• Experience in implementing innovative solutions that benefit drug discovery.
• Proposed and delivered significant changes that have measurably improved company pipeline or technology capabilities.
• Initiated interdisciplinary and/or academic collaborations.
• Presented scientific findings or papers to internal and external audiences, including to partners or at conferences.

About the Company

Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial‑stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialise a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions. Focused on delivering first‑in‑class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. At Immunocore, we recognise that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advance medicine and support one another in these pursuits. Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.