Research Scientist - Protein Biochemistry & Epitope Discovery

Job Title: Research Scientist – Protein Biochemistry & Epitope Discovery 

Reports To: Director of Research 

Job purpose:
The Research Scientist will support our growing program in Food allergen epitope discovery and cross-reactivity research. The role bridges protein chemistry, immunology, and mass spectrometry, with a focus on characterizing allergenic proteins and mapping epitope-level interactions that influence immune tolerance and cross-reactivity.  The scientist will contribute directly to translational research aimed at improving diagnostic precision and guiding biosimilar protein immunotherapy strategies. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Protein Extraction & Purification
  • Perform defatting, extraction, and purification of proteins from complex biological or food-based materials.
  • Operate and maintain High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and related chromatography systems for protein fractionation and isolation.
  • Assess protein purity and composition using SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and quantitative spectrophotometric analysis.
• Immunoassays & Binding Studies
  • Design and execute ELISA-based binding and inhibition assays using patient or pooled allergic sera to evaluate IgE binding, cross-reactivity, and blocking capacity.
  • Conduct avidity or competitive binding assays to characterize antibody affinity and specificity.
  • Collaborate with the immunology team to translate biochemical findings into clinical and diagnostic relevance.
• Epitope Identification & Data Integration
  • Prepare purified fractions for LC–MS/MS analysis and perform downstream bioinformatic peptide analysis to identify candidate epitopes.
  • Integrate mass spectrometry, immunoassay, and structural modeling data to define clinically meaningful epitope patterns.
  • Contribute to the design of new diagnostic assays and translational immunotherapy platforms based on identified protein domains.
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Partner with cross-disciplinary teams including immunologists, data scientists, and clinicians.
  • Maintain detailed experimental records, conduct data analysis, and contribute to publications, reports, grant applications, and conference presentations.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Food Science, or a related field.
• Proven hands-on experience in protein purification and chromatographic separation (HPLC required).
• Strong background in binding and inhibition assay development (ELISA, competitive binding, or similar platforms).
• Experience interpreting and correlating mass spectrometry proteomic data
• Excellent technical writing, organizational, and collaborative skills.

Preferred experience: 

• Prior research involving food allergens, seed storage proteins, or other clinically relevant immunogenic proteins.
• Familiarity with IgE/IgG binding kinetics, cross-reactivity mechanisms, and allergen structural biology.
• Understanding of biosimilar protein immunotherapy principles and translational allergy research.

Physical requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk between multiple office locations that include the use of stairs (elevator is only available in some instances).

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. 

Direct reports:
N/A

The company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.