Senior Scientist I/II, Antibody Characterization

Company Summary: 

Ampersand Biomedicines is an innovative, privately held biotechnology company leading the way in developing multi-specific medicines that direct a wide range of therapeutic molecules to specific cells and biological contexts. With a strong emphasis on innovation, Ampersand cultivates a highly dynamic and entrepreneurial environment. We are actively seeking an exceptional Protein Scientist to join our team and make significant contributions to our pioneering work. 

Ampersand was founded in Flagship’s venture creation engine, where companies such as Moderna Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MRNA) and Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB) were conceived and created. Since Flagship’s founding in 2000, the firm has originated and fostered the development of more than 100 scientific ventures resulting in over $34 billion in aggregate value, more than 500 issued patents and more than 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents.

Position Summary: 

Ampersand is currently seeking a highly motivated, passionate, and detail-oriented Senior Scientist to join our Protein Sciences team. The successful candidate needs to have a deep understanding of antibody discovery workflow along with hands-on experience with diverse immunoscreening techniques for antibody characterization. This role will provide an opportunity to lead multiple antibody discovery campaigns along with the development of novel therapeutic AND-Body molecules aimed at significantly improving patients’ lives. This role also offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, where you will have the chance to work independently and collaboratively within a highly integrated team. The candidate is expected to have strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills that will enable them to effectively integrate into and guide efforts in our highly cross-functional collaborative team culture. This is a bench facing position and an on-site role in South Boston. The grade for this position will be determined based on the candidate's level of experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform multiple high-throughput antibody screening assays such as binding kinetics, ligand blocking and epitope binning to rapidly identify lead therapeutic candidates.
• Design and develop recombinant protein-based immunoassays for the identification and characterization of therapeutic antibodies using diverse biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Develop and optimize biochemical assays for enzyme activity and inhibition studies.
• Execute small- and large-scale antibody expression and purification using different chromatography techniques and determine their purity and function using SDS-PAGE, WB, SEC, ELISA, SPR and other immunoscreening assays.
• Independently design, execute and troubleshoot diverse immunoassays, analyze data, and routinely present findings during the Protein Sciences and cross-functional team meetings.
• Stay current with target-related biology and advancements in technologies to improve the sensitivity and throughput of antibody screening and characterization assays.
• Co-lead antibody discovery campaigns and effectively collaborate with the In Vitro Pharmacology team to evaluate cell-based assays, and with the In Vivo Pharmacology team to evaluate PK/PD, efficacy, and toxicity.
• Manage a direct report and provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to ensure project goals are met effectively and in a timely manner.
• Accurately and timely record experimental details and data in Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN).
• Maintain scientific and technical expertise through familiarity with scientific literature.

Qualifications/Experience

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Structural Biology or a related discipline with 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Background in therapeutic antibody discovery, screening, antibody engineering and optimization is essential.
• Strong experience with designing and conducting in vitro protein-based assays using a variety of biochemical & enzyme kinetics assays for antibody characterization.
• Experience with diverse immunoscreening assays such as ELISA, SPR, BLI, MSD, AlphaLisa, Luminex, TR-FRET, SEC-MALS, DLS is a must.
• Proficiency in the development of SPR-based screening assays with a strong understanding of kinetic and thermodynamic principles is preferred.
• Experience with antibody screening databases and proficiency in data analysis/visualization software, such as Spotfire, Dotmatics, D360, etc. is a plus.
• Proven track record of scientific innovation and productivity, as evidenced by publications and/or patents.
• The candidate should possess strong leadership skills, including effectively managing a direct report, delegate responsibilities, and foster a collaborative work environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present results and scientific data to team leaders, cross-functional teams, academic collaborators, or partners.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, detail-oriented and enthusiastic about playing a pivotal role in a dynamic and multidisciplinary small biotech environment, specifically within the realm of mAb discovery and screening.

What We Will Offer You:

• Comprehensive, competitive healthcare and dental coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, vision coverage through VSP, family leave, paid time off, 401k retirement plan, disability and life insurance, and fully covered parking/commuter benefits.
• A dynamic early-stage work environment and highly interdisciplinary, talented, and collaborative team.
• Participation in an unprecedented opportunity to significantly impact the quality of life of patients by developing a targeted approach to delivering therapeutic molecules.
• Professional growth opportunities through mentoring, training, immersion in cross-functional projects, and opportunities to learn and try new things.

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a bioplatform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture. Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.