At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead antibody discovery and engineering, shaping strategies and guiding programmes to clinical candidate selection.
- Company: Nucleome Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech firm focused on innovative drug discovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to impact therapeutic advancements.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities to mentor and shape the future of therapeutics.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and drive groundbreaking biologics capabilities in a fast-paced environment.
- 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 in Oxford employer: Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd
Nucleome Therapeutics is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and scientific excellence thrive. As a leader in antibody discovery, you will have the opportunity to shape groundbreaking therapeutic programmes while collaborating with top-tier professionals in a supportive culture that prioritises mentorship and employee growth. Located in a vibrant biotech hub, Nucleome provides unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge resources and a network of industry leaders, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in biotechnology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Antibody Discovery in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your past successes in antibody discovery. Share specific examples of how you've led programmes from target validation to candidate selection. This will help you stand out as a strong contender.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with our goals at Nucleome Therapeutics.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your scientific knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you would shape discovery strategies and mentor teams. Show us that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a great cultural match for our company!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Antibody Discovery in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director, Antibody Discovery role. Highlight your leadership in antibody discovery and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to drive biologics from concept to clinical candidate.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about antibody discovery and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention any experience with CROs and cross-functional partnerships.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you lead a project that resulted in a successful candidate nomination? Share those numbers and outcomes to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and shows us you're serious about joining our team at Nucleome Therapeutics!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nucleome Therapeutics Ltd
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on the latest advancements in antibody discovery and biologics. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in detail, especially how you've led programmes from target validation to candidate selection. This will show that you not only understand the science but can also apply it strategically.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and guiding teams, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams or collaborated with external partners. Highlight your ability to influence decisions and drive projects forward, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about screening strategies and assay designs. Brush up on your knowledge of ELISA, SPR/BLI, and other relevant assays. Being able to articulate your thought process behind experimental designs will demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Align with Company Goals
Research Nucleome Therapeutics and understand their pipeline and strategic goals. Be ready to discuss how your vision for antibody discovery aligns with their objectives. Showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the company culture can set you apart from other candidates.
