The Antibody Society
Associate Principal Scientist, Research Science
The Antibody Society, South San Francisco, California, us, 94083
Job Description
We are seeking an energetic and highly motivated Scientist in Antibody Engineering with hands‑on experience in antibody discovery, optimization, and characterization. This individual will work as part of a rapidly growing bio‑therapeutics group focusing on lead selection for new projects and development of leads from established discovery pipeline projects. The successful candidate will design and execute strategies to generate, engineer, and mature therapeutic antibodies and novel biologics. The successful candidate will collaborate cross‑functionally with Discovery Biology, Protein Sciences, Structural Biology, and Developability/CMC to advance molecules from hit identification through lead optimization.
Responsibilities
Design and initiate target‑focused antibody discovery strategies
Design, develop and optimize selection methods to enrich for affinity, specificity, cross‑reactivity, and epitope diversity
Interface with CROs or platform vendors for immunization or display campaigns as needed
Conduct affinity maturation, speciation (e.g. caninization/felinization), and specificity engineering (e.g., CDR grafting, back‑mutation, structure‑guided design)
Engineer formats including Fabs, scFvs, VHHs, bispecifics, multispecifics, and Fc variants for tailored effector functions and half‑life
Apply in silico tools for sequence liability assessment, developability predictions, and structure modeling
Work with other team members to characterize biophysical and biochemical properties
Assess binding by ELISA, SPR/BLI, flow cytometry
Perform epitope binning/mapping and cross‑species reactivity
Collaborate with biology teams to evaluate potency, MOA, and functional readouts
Work with CMC teams to screen for developability (solubility, stability, aggregation, viscosity, PTM liabilities) and implement sequence fixes
Provide input on sequence selection and manufacturability risks
Plan, prioritize, and execute experiments; analyze data and present in cross‑functional forums
Author study reports and contribute to patent filings and regulatory documents
Mentor junior associates and help implement best practices and data management
Apply knowledge of key signal transduction pathways to design appropriate assay systems for characterization of biological and pharmacological effects of new veterinary therapeutics.
Develop and manage project specific milestones and timelines.
Manage the R&D relationships with external service providers.
Prepare progress reports and make presentations to stakeholders.
Stay informed of external advances & technologies to enhance the product development portfolio.
Communicate progress and plans to a variety of stakeholders with diverse expertise.
Provide support, coaching or assistance to other team members.
Education Minimum Requirement
Ph.D. in a biological discipline
Required Experience and Skills
3+ years relevant work experience in antibody discovery/engineering
Demonstrated experience with at least one display platform (phage, yeast, or mammalian) or immunization‑based antibody discovery
Hands‑on expertise in antibody engineering (speciation, affinity maturation, specificity tuning, format engineering)
Proficiency in biomolecular interaction methods and analytical characterization (e.g., SPR/BLI)
Proficiency with developability assessment and mitigation of sequence liabilities (e.g., deamidation, isomerization, oxidation, glycosylation hotspots)
Strong data analysis and documentation skills
Proficiency with molecular biology and sequence design tools (e.g., Geneious, MOE/Rosetta, IgBLAST/IMGT)
Ability to interpret and analyze data from key biological, biochemical and immunological assay systems and design appropriate follow‑on experiments
Ability to contribute or manage more than one project at a time.
Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with bispecific/multispecific formats
Experience with Fc engineering for effector function and half‑life
Experience with computational antibody design
Familiarity with early CMC and developability workflows
Experience managing CROs or external partners
Required Skills Accountability, Analytical Characterization, Antibody Engineering, Antibody Therapeutics, Assay, Bioanalytical Analysis, Bioanalytical Techniques, Biomarker Development, Cell-Based Assays, Clinical Judgment, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Compliance, Experimental Methods, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), In Vivo Pharmacology, Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Polyclonal Antibody Production, Product Development, Project Management, Protein Chemistry, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing
Preferred Skills (none listed)
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on‑site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote‑working day, unless business critical tasks require an on‑site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in‑person attendance is required for, field‑based positions; facility‑based, manufacturing‑based, or research‑based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".
Salary Range $126,500.00 – $199,100.00 (range for this role at the time of posting)
Benefits We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
Application You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Los Angeles Residents Only We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: Yes
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: Not Indicated
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): N/A
Job Posting End Date: 01/19/2026
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement. We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Requisition ID R379382
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Design and initiate target‑focused antibody discovery strategies
Design, develop and optimize selection methods to enrich for affinity, specificity, cross‑reactivity, and epitope diversity
Interface with CROs or platform vendors for immunization or display campaigns as needed
Conduct affinity maturation, speciation (e.g. caninization/felinization), and specificity engineering (e.g., CDR grafting, back‑mutation, structure‑guided design)
Engineer formats including Fabs, scFvs, VHHs, bispecifics, multispecifics, and Fc variants for tailored effector functions and half‑life
Apply in silico tools for sequence liability assessment, developability predictions, and structure modeling
Work with other team members to characterize biophysical and biochemical properties
Assess binding by ELISA, SPR/BLI, flow cytometry
Perform epitope binning/mapping and cross‑species reactivity
Collaborate with biology teams to evaluate potency, MOA, and functional readouts
Work with CMC teams to screen for developability (solubility, stability, aggregation, viscosity, PTM liabilities) and implement sequence fixes
Provide input on sequence selection and manufacturability risks
Plan, prioritize, and execute experiments; analyze data and present in cross‑functional forums
Author study reports and contribute to patent filings and regulatory documents
Mentor junior associates and help implement best practices and data management
Apply knowledge of key signal transduction pathways to design appropriate assay systems for characterization of biological and pharmacological effects of new veterinary therapeutics.
Develop and manage project specific milestones and timelines.
Manage the R&D relationships with external service providers.
Prepare progress reports and make presentations to stakeholders.
Stay informed of external advances & technologies to enhance the product development portfolio.
Communicate progress and plans to a variety of stakeholders with diverse expertise.
Provide support, coaching or assistance to other team members.
Education Minimum Requirement
Ph.D. in a biological discipline
Required Experience and Skills
3+ years relevant work experience in antibody discovery/engineering
Demonstrated experience with at least one display platform (phage, yeast, or mammalian) or immunization‑based antibody discovery
Hands‑on expertise in antibody engineering (speciation, affinity maturation, specificity tuning, format engineering)
Proficiency in biomolecular interaction methods and analytical characterization (e.g., SPR/BLI)
Proficiency with developability assessment and mitigation of sequence liabilities (e.g., deamidation, isomerization, oxidation, glycosylation hotspots)
Strong data analysis and documentation skills
Proficiency with molecular biology and sequence design tools (e.g., Geneious, MOE/Rosetta, IgBLAST/IMGT)
Ability to interpret and analyze data from key biological, biochemical and immunological assay systems and design appropriate follow‑on experiments
Ability to contribute or manage more than one project at a time.
Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with bispecific/multispecific formats
Experience with Fc engineering for effector function and half‑life
Experience with computational antibody design
Familiarity with early CMC and developability workflows
Experience managing CROs or external partners
Required Skills Accountability, Analytical Characterization, Antibody Engineering, Antibody Therapeutics, Assay, Bioanalytical Analysis, Bioanalytical Techniques, Biomarker Development, Cell-Based Assays, Clinical Judgment, Detail-Oriented, Ethical Compliance, Experimental Methods, Immunohistochemistry (IHC), In Vivo Pharmacology, Mass Spectrometry Analysis, Polyclonal Antibody Production, Product Development, Project Management, Protein Chemistry, Scientific Research, Scientific Writing
Preferred Skills (none listed)
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on‑site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote‑working day, unless business critical tasks require an on‑site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in‑person attendance is required for, field‑based positions; facility‑based, manufacturing‑based, or research‑based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as "remote".
Salary Range $126,500.00 – $199,100.00 (range for this role at the time of posting)
Benefits We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
Application You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.
San Francisco Residents Only We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Los Angeles Residents Only We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: Yes
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: Not Indicated
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): N/A
Job Posting End Date: 01/19/2026
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement. We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Requisition ID R379382
#J-18808-Ljbffr