At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead antibody drug discovery and shape innovative therapeutic programmes.
- Company: Nucleome Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech firm focused on biologics.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to mentor future scientists.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in advancing cutting-edge therapies and shaping the future of medicine.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in antibody discovery with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Overview of the role
Reporting to the CSO, you will provide scientific and strategic leadership for antibody drug discovery at Nucleome Therapeutics as the company enters a pivotal phase of pipeline expansion. This role will establish and accelerate biologics capabilities aligned with Nucleome’s proprietary genetics and 3D gene regulation platform, helping translate first-in-class targets into a growing portfolio of therapeutic programmes. We are looking for an experienced antibody discovery leader with a strong track record of advancing biologics from target concept through to clinical candidate selection. Working closely with platform biology, translational, and executive teams, you will shape discovery strategy, guide programme decisions, mentor scientists, and oversee external partnerships to ensure high-quality, data-driven delivery across the biologics portfolio.
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for antibody discovery and engineering, establishing biologics capabilities aligned to the company’s genetics platform and pipeline priorities.
- Lead programmes from target validation through candidate nomination, defining discovery and engineering strategies, guiding experimental design, and driving key scientific and go/no-go decisions.
- Evaluate target tractability, programme feasibility, and scientific risk, providing rigorous, data-driven recommendations to support portfolio prioritisation and investment decisions.
- Partner closely with immunology, functional genomics, translational, and platform biology teams to integrate biological insight into antibody discovery and development strategies.
- Design and oversee screening cascades and assay strategies for functional and biophysical characterisation of antibodies, including binding, kinetics, mechanism of action, and developability assessment.
- Provide oversight and scientific direction to CROs and external collaborators, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard and in line with programme objectives and timelines.
- Contribute to the growth and development of internal scientific capability through mentoring, coaching, and supporting high-performance delivery across discovery teams.
- Work closely with senior leadership to shape the future direction of the biologics portfolio and support the successful expansion of therapeutic programmes across the organisation.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- PhD-trained scientist, or equivalent industry professional, with substantial leadership experience in antibody discovery, biologics drug discovery, and antibody engineering within a biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.
- Deep expertise in end-to-end antibody discovery and engineering, with a strong track record of leading programmes from target validation through candidate selection and shaping scientific strategy in a fast-paced biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
- Experience leading CROs, external collaborators, and cross-functional partnerships to deliver biologics discovery programmes effectively and to a high scientific standard.
- Strong experience in designing and implementing antibody screening and characterisation strategies, including functional, biochemical, and biophysical assays such as ELISA, SPR/BLI, and cell-based assays.
- Solid understanding of protein expression, developability, and analytical assessment, including stability, aggregation, manufacturability, and readiness for downstream CMC activities.
- Experience applying in silico or computational design approaches to antibody engineering would be advantageous.
- Demonstrated ability to drive process and system improvements, identify opportunities for change, and adopt new technologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and ways of working.
- Proven ability to interpret complex data sets and make robust, data-driven go/no-go recommendations to support programme progression and portfolio decision-making.
- Strong communication, influencing, and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively across scientific disciplines and engage credibly with senior stakeholders and executive leadership.
- A proactive and enthusiastic self-starter with a strong work ethic and a commitment to scientific excellence.
- A hands-on, pragmatic approach, with the flexibility to contribute wherever needed to support the wider business.
Director, Antibody Discovery employer: Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd
Nucleome Therapeutics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where scientific innovation meets strategic leadership in antibody drug discovery. Located at the forefront of biotechnology, we provide our employees with unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, mentorship, and collaboration across diverse teams, all while contributing to groundbreaking therapeutic programmes that have the potential to transform patient care. Our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity ensures that every team member can thrive and make a meaningful impact in their field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Antibody Discovery
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
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If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Antibody Discovery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd. This shows your passion for the industry!
