Senior/Principal Scientist, Protein-Biologic Discovery

About Oxford Biotherapeutics:

Oxford BioTherapeutics (OBT) is a dynamic, rapidly-growing, international biotechnology company based in Oxford, UK, and San Jose, CA. We are a clinical-stage oncology company with a pipeline of immunooncology and antibody-drug conjugate-based therapies. OBT's IO (Immuno-Oncology) discovery process provides unique insight into the cancer-immune cell synapse and has identified several novel IO candidates for cancer therapy. Discovery of novel tumor antigens and immune cell surface proteins at OBT is performed using the proprietary Oxford Genome Anatomy Project (OGAP®) database. OBT currently has one ADC in phase 1b clinical trials in collaboration with Menarini, and target discovery collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim, Zymeworks and Roche.

Purpose of the Role

Working independently and in a matrix, this role will lead the development of antigen antibodies against novel targets discovered by Oxford BioTherapeutics, headquartered in the UK.

They will be involved in multiple aspects of the production of recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, multi-specific scaffolds and novel protein modalities to enable all aspects of early discovery and validation research.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key contributor to the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics for oncology and immune oncology for novel targets.
• Design and implement recombinant protein and bi- and multi-specific antibody discovery plans (immunogen design, assay development, screening, and functional characterization methods) and oversee the executions.
• Support biologic discovery through different platforms of protein and antibody discoveries.
• Oversee various target projects to execute protein production and antibody discovery/optimization in various platforms
• Generate target over-expressing cell lines for antibody discovery work
• Develop strategies to express, purify, and analyze proteins for novel tumor targets expressed in mammalian cells
• Extensive experience in human protein and antibody purifications using a variety of chromatographic techniques with hands-on experience using and maintaining AKTA FPLC and Agilent HPLC & UPLC.
• Characterization of antibodies including binding affinity and binding kinetics through Octet/Biacore, epitope binning/mapping, and functional assays.
• Analyze data, interpret results, identify problems, and develop trouble-shooting plans
• Participate in the transfer of processes, technology, and assays to/from internal and external collaborators and outside vendors

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

• D. in biological sciences or related fields with 5+ years of post-Ph.D., or MS with 10+ years of experience in biopharma industry or closely related scientific discipline, preferably in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Experience in molecular biology or/and biochemistry, including gene manipulation, subcloning, expression vector modifications, and protein expressions in HEK & CHO cell systems
• Extensive practical experience in developing and optimizing recombinant proteins, bi- and multi-specific antibody formats, and antibody developability across multiple parameters is preferred.
• Advanced expertise in human protein and antibody purification techniques, including affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography (HIC), ion exchange chromatography (IEX), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Proficiency in operating and troubleshooting modern chromatography hardware and software, such as Cytiva AKTA systems and Agilent HPLC and UPLC
• Antibody drug discovery experience for immune oncology in biopharmaceutical industry is a plus.
• Ability to independently lead project strategy, plan, and execution on stringent timelines with quality to meet project goals is plus
• Knowledge of the biologics drug discovery process and representation of the protein science function at project team meetings.
• Compliance with data management, laboratory notebook policy, and laboratory safety are plus

One of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer comprehensive benefits.

Benefits Offered:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance for employee and dependents
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
• STD, LTD, Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, Supplemental Life
• 401(k) Plan
• 120 hours of Paid Time Off
• 5 sick days per year
• 11 public holidays
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Annual bonus program
• New hire stock options

Equal Opportunities Statement

OBT is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. One of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer comprehensive benefits

Why Join Us

We promote a culture of innovation, responsibility, and steadfast commitment to our goal. Together, we believe we can pool our resources and our uniqueness to develop novel, robust cures for one of the most challenging health conditions today.

We recognize that our team is only as good as the people in it. Our people have used the words friendly, collaborative, and hard-working to describe the culture here at OBT. Above all, we trust each other.

This is why, while we strive to ensure that we hire only the best people to meet our goal, we also strive to provide a working environment that is based on cooperation, innovation, and mutual respect.