Principal Scientist, Protein & Antibody Engineering

Principal Scientist, Protein & Antibody Engineering

About Pledge Therapeutics :

Pledge Therapeutics is an innovative start-up dedicated to advancing treatments in immunology, oncology, and virology. We are passionate about developing novel therapies that improve the lives of patients.

Leveraging our state-of-the-art discovery platform, we have developed high-quality, preclinical drug candidates for multiple exciting drug targets with the potential to transform existing treatment paradigms.

Job Description :

We seek an enthusiastic and skilled senior scientist or principal scientist to spearhead protein and antibody engineering efforts within our Rapid Response Group (RRG), a specialized team in our Discovery Division.

The RRG operates with a hands-on, mission-focused approach, parachuting into high-impact projects to develop critical tools, methodologies, and data that enhance our therapeutic programs.

The successful candidate will be a key member of this elite team, driving research on protein targets and therapeutic development.

In this role you will balance high-level scientific ideation with hands-on execution at the bench.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead the design, optimization, and development of a range of antibody formats (Fab, scFv, VHH, etc.), fusion proteins, and multi-specific antibodies.
• Drive multi-targeting strategies in biologics design, focusing on bispecific, tri-specific, or dual-receptor targeting approaches.
• Design and implement affinity maturation libraries using display platforms (e.g., phage, yeast) to improve affinity, potency, and stability.
• Leverage structural data, computational insights, and other experimental results to optimize and advance antibody variants.
• Develop innovative cloning strategies, construct design, and purification protocols for high-quality protein production.
• Oversee protein expression in insect and mammalian systems, troubleshooting for yield, stability, and characterization using advanced techniques (e.

g., chromatography, mass spectrometry).

• Create and implement functional and binding assays to guide lead candidate selection as well as mechanism of action studies.
• Stay current on scientific advancements, technologies, and methodologies to enhance discovery and optimization efforts.
• Synthesize data and communicate progress in regular meetings, ensuring alignment with project timelines.
• Foster scientific rigor, high productivity, and efficiency, with a results-oriented mindset of accountability and team success.
• Provide thoughtful leadership and lead from the front encouraging innovation and collaboration.

Qualifications :

• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Protein Chemistry, or related fields).
• 5-8 years of experience in a research-driven environment, preferably with 3-5 years of experience in the biopharma or biotech industry.
• Strong track record of scientific achievement, demonstrated by relevant publications.
• In-depth understanding of the biologics drug development process from discovery to pre-IND stages
• Extensive experience in protein design, expression systems, purification, and biophysical characterization techniques.
• Proficiency with structure- and sequence-based optimization tools, and in silico computational approaches for antibody discovery and optimization.

Demonstrated ability to develop and optimize functional assays, as well as assess protein developability.

• Expertise with data analysis tools to visualize, evaluate, and communicate complex datasets effectively.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and organizational skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent work ethic and adaptability, with the ability to multitask and maintain a "can-do" attitude as R&D priorities shift.

Job Type : Full-time, Work Permit, Equal Opportunity Employment.