Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist – Protein Sciences

Location: Redwood City 

Company Overview: 

ImmunEdge is a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapeutics for patients with serious or life-threatening diseases. With a highly experienced team of experts in immunology and drug development, we are pioneering innovative approaches to target and modulate key molecular pathways that regulate the immune response.  

At ImmunEdge, we are driven by a shared commitment to improving human health through innovative science. We are building a culture based on kindness, collaboration, and a deep passion for advancing science. As an early joiner to the company, you will help cultivate an environment where every team member is encouraged to challenge ideas, think critically, and contribute their unique perspectives. We value openness, transparency, and continuous learning, and want to empower our employees to take ownership of their work while fostering a sense of community and teamwork. Whether you’re working in the lab, the office, or across functional teams, you will find an inclusive space where your contributions matter and your professional growth is supported. 

Join us in shaping the future of biotechnology. Together, we can change lives. 

Position: 

We’re looking for a passionate senior research associate/ associate scientist to join the protein purification and analytics team in the Biotherapeutic Department. This role will be a fit for one who enjoys hands on science and wants to make a direct impact on the discovery and development of next-generation biologics. As part of the protein purification and characterization team, you’ll contribute to the production and characterization of therapeutic proteins and antibodies, with an emphasis on complex biologics such as bispecific and multi-specific antibodies, as well as challenging antigens. The successful candidate will be responsible for executing purification processes and various biochemical/biophysical analytics to support our pipeline. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Execute purification workflows for mono-clonal and bispecific/multi-specific antibodies, and other therapeutic proteins, using appropriate chromatographic techniques, including affinity, IEX, HIC, SEC, and mixed modes. 

• Characterize the quality of biomass and partially purified materials; analyze purity impurity distribution, aggregation, charge heterogeneity, determine expression titter, molecule identity, protein assembly quality, PTMs, and other quality attributes; develop and transfer methods at analytical scale and process scale.  

• Optimize purification process for small-scale and large-scale productions to support discovery, lead optimization, and preclinical studies. 

• Troubleshoot production and purification challenges and improve process to enhance yield and purity; provide insights and feedback for molecule redesign and engineering when production problems are tied to intrinsic sequence liabilities. 

• Maintain detailed documentation of experiments, including materials, protocols, results, and conclusions, in electronic lab notebooks and technical reports. Maintain good records of protein inventory. 

• Present updates to cross-functional project teams and group or department meetings. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 6 years of related industry experience. Level will be commensurate with experience. 

• Understanding protein biochemistry, structure and folding, resin chemistry and chromatography, extensive hands-on experience with protein purification and characterization. 

• Strong purification skills. Experience with high-throughput protein purification, e.g. Avant + CETAC, for multi-specific antibodies. Experience with automated two-step or three-step purification for multi-specific antibodies. Experience with column packing and multi-gram scale purification for mono-specific, bi-specific, and multi-specific antibodies. Experience with maintaining low to ultra-low endotoxin. 

• Strong analytical skills and experience with SEC-HPLC, CIEX-HPLC, protein mass spectrometry, mass photometry, DLS, nanoDSF. 

• Excellent communication skills and teamwork spirit. 

• Experience with human and mouse IgG based bispecific redox assembly, IgG cleavage and site-specific bioconjugation (e.g. biotinylation) is a plus 

• Experience with upstream bioprocesses, i.e. transfection and biomass harvest, is a plus 

• Experience with antibody binding characterization (BLI, SPR, ELISA) is a plus 

Expected Salary Range: $93,000 - $120,000 

Due to the urgent nature of this role, we encourage all qualified candidates to apply promptly. Compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity, and location.  

ImmunEdge offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus plan, equity, and a generous benefits package including comprehensive health (medical, dental, and vision) insurance for our employees and their families, a 401k plan, FSA plans (medical, dependent), an Employee Assistance Plan, and a holiday and paid time off plan. 

At ImmunEdge, we believe that a diverse, open, and inclusive environment and culture is key to our success.  We will not be influenced in recruiting, hiring, promoting or any other employment practices by race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical or genetic condition, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. ImmunEdge will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable laws. 

Note to External Recruiters: Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place does not create any implied obligation.