Director of Protein Sciences

Director of Protein Sciences

About Lindonlight

Lindonlight is dedicated to the discovery and development of transformative therapies for pediatric brain tumors. The organization operates as an integrated ecosystem comprised of the Lindonlight Foundation, Lindonlight Collective, and Lindonlight Bio. Within this ecosystem, Lindonlight Bio is focused on developing promising therapeutics for pediatric glioma.

Position Summary

Lindonlight is seeking a Director of Protein Sciences to lead discovery, optimization, and early development of protein-based targeting agents for next-generation therapeutics This role will span discovery through early CMC, with accountability for engineering and advancing protein therapeutics optimized for targeted delivery.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in protein engineering, analytics, and expression, with a proven track record of advancing biologics into the clinic and preferably through late-stage development and approval. This is a highly cross-functional leadership role requiring close partnership with medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, translational sciences, CMC, regulatory, and clinical development teams.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

Scientific & Portfolio Leadership

• Define and execute the protein sciences strategy aligned with the company’s platform and pipeline.
• Serve as the scientific owner for protein-based programs from target selection through clinical candidate nomination.
•  Contribute to portfolio prioritization, platform evolution, and long-term pipeline planning.

Protein Discovery & Engineering

• Lead discovery, engineering, and optimization of protein therapeutics with properties tailored for Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), T cell Engager (TCE)applications, including affinity, specificity, internalization, PK/ADA, and stability.
• Oversee antibody and protein discovery approaches, including display technologies, immunization strategies, in silico design, and affinity maturation.
• Apply structure-based and data-driven methods to improve developability and manufacturability.

Protein Analytics & Characterization

• Establish and oversee protein analytics and characterization strategies, including biophysical, biochemical, and functional assays.
• Ensure robust evaluation of purity, stability, aggregation, binding kinetics, epitope, and structure-function relationships.
• Integrate analytical data into discovery and candidate selection decisions.

Expression Platforms & Early CMC

• Provide leadership across protein expression systems, including mammalian, yeast, prokaryotic, and in vitro expression platforms.
• Oversee cell line development, expression optimization, and early process development to enable scalable manufacturing.
• Partner with CMC colleagues to ensure seamless transition from discovery to IND-enabling activities.

CRO & External Partner Management

• Manage and coordinate CROs and external partners across discovery, analytics, expression, and early CMC activities.
• Establish clear scopes, timelines, and success criteria to ensure high-quality, on-time execution.
• Build productive academic and industry collaborations to extend internal capabilities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing Protein Sciences organization.
• Foster a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish best practices, workflows, and decision frameworks appropriate for a growing biotech.

Cross-Functional & Executive Engagement

• Work closely with chemistry, bioanalytics, pharmacology, translational, CMC, regulatory, and clinical teams.
• Support regulatory interactions, IND filings, and technical documentation.
• Serve as a senior scientific representative in partnering, investor, and board discussions, as needed.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD or equivalent in protein engineering, biochemistry, structural biology, immunology, oncology, or related discipline.
• At least 15 years of industry experience in biologics discovery and development.
• Deep hands-on expertise in protein therapeutics discovery and engineering, including protein-drug conjugates.
• Direct experience with monoclonal Antibodies and other Antibody formats including single domain antibodies and related modalities strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in protein analytics, expression, and early CMC activities, including cell line development.
• Proven success by advancing multiple biologic programs into the clinic.
• Experience managing CROs across discovery, analytics, and CMC activities.

Preferred:

• Track record of advancing biologics through late-stage development, BLA submission, and/or regulatory approval.
• Experience with ADCs, or targeted delivery platforms.
• Familiarity with regulatory expectations for biologics CMC and comparability.
• Experience building and scaling teams in a startup or high-growth biotech environment.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong scientific judgment and execution focus.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous, resource-constrained environments.
• Collaborative, decisive, and hands-on leader.
• Credible scientific voice with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information

• Reports to: VP, Research
• Job Type: Full-time
• Schedule: Monday to Friday; Weekends as needed [On-Site]
• Work Hours: Requires flexibility to accommodate early-morning and evening meetings with international collaborators across time zones, including Europe and Asia.
• Location: Cambridge, MA [Kendall Square]
• Travel: Approximately 10–15% | Includes one week of monthly travel to Houston and occasional travel for scientific meetings or partnership engagements.
• Compensation: Expected base salary range: $200,000 - $275,000

Final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the position.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off

Lindonlight is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or any other legally protected status.