Senior Research Associate/Associate Scientist
$110k - $125k USD
About Xaira Therapeutics
Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.
About the Role
As a part of the Protein Analytics team, you will play a crucial role in discovering and developing novel biotherapeutics. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the characterization of a variety of antibody formats within a biotherapeutics discovery setting, coupled with a proactive and can-do attitude. This is a hands-on, lab-based position.
Responsibilities:
- Support the discovery and development of therapeutic molecules through hands-on laboratory work.
- Characterize antibodies in high-throughput manner via biolayer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor platforms to determine Yes/No binding, Kinetics and Affinity information.
- Screen antibodies and other antibody-like molecules for off-target binding test via BVP ELISA or other poly-specificity/poly-reactivity assays.
- Perform developability assessment on antibody panels using SPR, DLS, DSF, SEC and ELISA platforms.
- Analyze experimental data, curate results and reports, and present findings to cross-functional teams.
- Maintain experimental records in an ELN.
- Support other workflows as needed, including expression and purification, binder discovery and other functional assays.
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and contribute to lab organization and operations.
Qualifications:
- BS/MS degree with 4+ years of industry experience in biochemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology, or a related discipline, OR a PhD degree in similar disciplines with 2+ years of industry experience.
- Extensive experience in antibody screening including monoclonals, bispecific, and other antibody-like molecules.
- Extensive hands-on experience with ELISA, BLI and SPR based platforms.
- Basic knowledge of protein production, purification and characterization techniques (including affinity, ion exchange, HIC, DLS, DSF and SEC).
- Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) and other statistical tools.
- Proactive attitude with a self-starter mindset.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong collaborative skills and interest in working in cross-functional teams and a startup environment.
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
- Ability to work independently with accountability and meticulous attention to detail.
Compensation
Annual
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity. The base pay range for this position is expected to be $110,000 - $125,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.
Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.
TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.