The Role
Lead cross-functional teams to drive antibody discovery, design, optimization, and characterization. Apply structure-guided and computational engineering to generate therapeutics, design assays, analyze cycle data, and communicate results to internal and external stakeholders to advance candidate selection.
Summary Generated by Built In
The role: BigHat Biosciences is seeking an exceptional individual for a Senior Scientist I role on the antibody engineering & binder generation team to serve as a program team lead of therapeutic programs with external and internal partners, driving antibody discovery, design, optimization, and characterization.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead cross-functional project teams (including Data Science, AI/ML, Engineering, Protein Sciences, Automation) on the execution of rapid, iterative multi-objective optimization to identify high-value therapeutic antibodies through gold-standard assays.
- Deeply understand target biology to better design antibodies that meet our candidate profile.
- Contribute expertise in antibody engineering approaches (including humanization, liability remediation, affinity tuning, format engineering, etc) to generate and optimize novel antibodies that meet design requirements.
- Collaborate closely with BigHat leadership and other cross-functional team members to ensure a tight linkage between strategy, research, and development components.
- Lead in-depth data analysis of each design cycle to better leverage experimental and computational approaches to reach our design goals.
- Effectively and regularly communicate results to key decision makers, the broader BigHat team, and to external partners.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
- Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, protein engineering, or related fields.
- 5+ years of advanced research experience in an industry setting.
- Hands-on protein engineering expertise, including structure-guided design, affinity maturation, stability/developability optimization, and rational or computational approaches to antibody engineering.
- Experience working with diverse antibody formats such as complex multispecifics, T-cell engagers, antibody fragments, antibody-drug conjugates, etc.
- Expertise in mammalian cell culture, immunoassay, molecular techniques, cell-based assays, protein expression and characterization (e.g., kinetics, SEC).
- Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
- Experience presenting and communicating strategy and results to internal and external partners.
- Scientific track record and publication record.
- Strong data analysis and interpretation skills. Experience working with agentic software tools is a plus.
Total Rewards
The salary estimated for this position is $160,000 - $185,000 + bonus + options + benefits. Compensation will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Actual compensation will be confirmed in writing at the time of the offer.
About
BigHat Biosciences designs safer, more effective biologic therapies for patients using machine learning and synthetic biology. BigHat integrates a wet lab for high-speed characterization with machine learning technologies to guide the search for better antibodies. We apply these design capabilities to develop new generations of safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from today’s most challenging diseases.BigHat is a Series B biotech outside San Francisco with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. Our broad pipeline of wholly-owned and partnered therapeutic programs span many disparate indications with high unmet need, such as cancer, inflammation, and infectious disease. BigHat has raised >$100M from top investors, including Section 32, a16z, and 8VC.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in biochemistry, structural biology, protein engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of advanced research experience in an industry setting
- Hands-on protein engineering expertise including structure-guided design, affinity maturation, and developability optimization
- Experience with diverse antibody formats (multispecifics, T-cell engagers, fragments, ADCs)
- Expertise in mammalian cell culture, immunoassays, molecular techniques, cell-based assays, protein expression and characterization (e.g., kinetics, SEC)
- Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills
- Experience presenting and communicating strategy and results to internal and external partners
- Scientific track record and publication record
- Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
- Experience working with agentic software tools
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The Company
What We Do
BigHat’s mission is to improve human health by making it far easier to design advanced, next-generation antibody therapeutics. Our AI-enabled experimental platform integrates a high-speed characterization or “wet” lab with machine learning technologies to speed the antibody engineering process. When applied, these design capabilities have the potential to drive the development of new generations of safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from today’s most challenging diseases. BigHat is backed by Section 32, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, Amgen Ventures, Bristol Myers Squibb, Quadrille, Grids Capital, AME Cloud Ventures, Innovation Endeavors and Gaingels.
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