Protein Design and Biophysics Specialist

Job summary

The role focuses on advancing an autonomous platform for the design, production, and biophysical characterization of protein binders, integrating computational modeling and experimental techniques. The position is situated within a cutting-edge research environment that combines artificial intelligence with molecular biology.

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, or a related field.
• Strong background in protein biochemistry and biophysics, with experience in protein expression, purification, and characterization.
• Practical experience with protein AI models for structure prediction and/or binder design (e.g., AlphaFold, ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion).
• Proficiency in Python scripting for automation of computational analyses and data pipelines.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including cloning and mutagenesis.
• Experience with biophysical methods for quantification of protein-protein binding interactions.
• Familiarity with cell-free expression systems and/or affinity purification methods.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer protein binders using AI-guided computational methods.
• Develop and maintain Python pipelines for automated modeling and data analysis.
• Perform molecular biology procedures including cloning and site-directed mutagenesis.
• Express protein binders using cell-free expression systems and conduct affinity purification.
• Carry out biophysical characterization of protein interactions using FIDA and related techniques.
• Contribute to the development of semi-high-throughput experimental workflows.
• Collaborate closely with industrial partners on the Closed-Loop initiative.

Skills

• Direct experience with FIDA or other binding assays, and with protein fluorescent labeling is desirable.
• Experience with semi-high-throughput experimental setups and laboratory automation.
• Background in molecular dynamics simulations or other computational analyses of protein structure and dynamics is a plus.

Education

• PhD in a relevant field is required.

Tools

• Familiarity with tools such as ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion, AlphaFold, and Boltz for protein design and modeling.