Senior Research Associate, Antibody Engineering

The Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI) is a nonprofit research organization advancing protein science to accelerate research and improve human health. Founded in 2017 and located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, the Institute’s three-pronged strategy is to build protein tools, conduct related internal research, and develop educational programs for the protein science and biological research communities.

With a significant endowment, IPI uniquely combines the freedom of academia with the high throughput and scale of industry to take on transformative projects. IPI has built a robust platform for discovering, developing, and distributing synthetic antibodies and other protein tools to share with the biomedical community. The Institute's deep protein expertise, collaborative spirit, and research tools are powering new biomedical and therapeutic discoveries with a growing community of researchers at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, and other institutions across Greater Boston and beyond.

This is a senior-level science research position for an enthusiastic individual interested in high-throughput antibody discovery, production and characterization, and concepts of bioengineering, biochemistry, and robotic automation. Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting and assisting in advancing the antibody discovery pipeline at IPI with day-to-day activities such as antibody expression and purification, QC and optimization, data analysis, reporting results, coordination with various IPI teams as well as external stakeholders, and management of the pipeline in a Good Laboratory Practice environment.

The candidate must be adaptable and willing to learn new techniques to help with daily IPI laboratory operations. The candidate must be engaged, well organized, and detail oriented.

This is an exciting opportunity to continue to learn industry-leading antibody discovery platform technologies in a semi-academic environment. IPI provides a fast-paced, highly knowledgeable, and collaborative research environment.

• Antibody expression and purification in high-through form mammalian cell culture.
• Operating laboratory automation equipment including Biomek.
• Perform quality control analyses including Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Polylreactivity ELISAs, differential scanning fluorescence (DSF).
• Mammalian cell culture maintenance.
• Molecular biology skills such as DNA prep.
• Provide support for ongoing projects within the team.
• Assist in conducting experiments and working on research problems.
• Coordinate time management, scheduling, product delivery and data sharing across Antibody Platform teams.
• Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols and data in an electronic laboratory notebook in accordance with the Institute’s policy.
• Present data clearly in a weekly group meeting.
• Troubleshoot routine technical problems.

• B.S. (with 4 years+) or MS (with 3 years+) in biological or life sciences field required.
• Experience with protein biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture such as HEK
  293 cells, CHO cells.
• Familiar with running SDS-PAGE gel and Western Blot.
• Experience with ELISA, PSR, DSF, SEC experiments.
• Basic understanding of fundamental programming (Python) helpful, but not required.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills and highly attentive to details.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate within a team-based environment is required.
• Enthusiastic team member with strong commitment to IPI’s mission and a desire to conduct impactful science.

$85,000 - $95,000 a year

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Flexible spending accounts and a healthcare reimbursement account.
• 401(k) plan with generous 6% employer match – immediately 100% vested.
• Generous PTO package.
• Commuter and parking reimbursement.
• Career development opportunities.

For more information, visit proteininnovation.org or follow us on social media,  is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit research organization and an equal-opportunity employer. The Institute celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Please be advised that you will be required to provide evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. IPI will not guarantee sponsorship of foreign nationals and retains complete discretion regarding providing sponsorship to any prospective or existing employee at time of hire or at any time in the future.