Scientist – Antibody Screening and Characterization

JLSa2, founded in 2024, is a well-resourced, seed-stage venture backed company located in South San Francisco currently developing a robust pipeline of novel protein-drug conjugate therapies to better address human metabolic diseases and other non-oncology related diseases.

We are seeking a talented and driven Scientist – Antibody Screening and Characterization to support discovery and early development of therapeutic antibodies. The successful candidate will be responsible for screening antibody libraries, characterizing binding and functional properties, and advancing lead candidates through early-stage evaluation.

This role requires strong expertise in immunology, protein biochemistry, and cell-based assays, along with the ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional drug discovery teams.

Key Responsibilities

Antibody Screening

• Perform high-throughput screening of antibody libraries (hybridoma, phage display, yeast display, or single B-cell platforms).
• Identify hits based on binding affinity, specificity, and functional activity.
• Conduct epitope binning and competition studies.
• Prioritize candidates for downstream characterization and engineering.
  
  
  

Binding & Biophysical Characterization

• Evaluate antibody–antigen interactions using:
• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)
• Bio-layer interferometry (BLI)
• ELISA
• Flow cytometry
• Determine kinetic parameters (KD, kon, koff).
• Assess cross-reactivity and species reactivity.
• Characterize aggregation, stability, and purity profiles.
  
  
  

Functional Characterization

• Work with the Cell Bioassay group to design and execute cell-based assays to evaluate:
• Target engagement
• Agonist/antagonist activity
• ADCC/CDC (if applicable)
• Signaling pathway modulation
• Support mechanism-of-action studies.
  
  
  

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Present findings at project team meetings.
• Maintain thorough documentation in electronic lab notebooks.
• Contribute to technical reports and patent applications (as applicable).
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Protein Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Translational Sciences
• In Vivo Pharmacology
• Developability/CMC teams
  
  
  

In all cases, there will be a need to optimize assay conditions, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and improve workflows, with the goal of supporting candidate selection and progression decisions.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field with 2–5 years industry experience OR
• MS with 4–8 years relevant industry experience
  
  
  

Technical Expertise

• Hands-on experience in antibody screening platforms.
• Strong background in protein–protein interaction assays (SPR, BLI preferred).
• Experience in mammalian cell culture and functional assays.
• Familiarity with antibody structure and engineering concepts.
• Experience with data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism).
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with multi-specific antibodies or engineered antibody formats.
• Knowledge of Fc biology and effector function assays.
• Experience with high-throughput screening platforms.
• Familiarity with early-stage developability assessments.
  
  
  

Core Competencies

• Strong experimental design and troubleshooting skills
• Data-driven and detail-oriented
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Team-oriented with collaborative mindset
  
  
  

Work Environment

• Laboratory-based role with data analysis responsibilities
• Fast-paced, collaborative drug discovery setting
  
  
  

Salary Range: $130,000 to $150,000 (Compensation will be commensurate with experience/expertise/level and could fall outside of the stated range)