The Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI)is a nonprofit research organization advancing protein science to accelerate research and improve human health. Founded in 2017 and located in Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, the Institute’s three-pronged strategy is to build protein tools, conduct related internal research and develop educational programs for the protein science and biological research communities.
With a significant endowment, IPI uniquely combines the freedom of academia with the high throughput and scale of industry to take on transformative projects. IPI has built a robust platform for discovering, developing, and distributing synthetic antibodies and other protein tools to share with the biomedical community. The Institute's deep protein expertise, collaborative spirit and research tools are powering new biomedical and therapeutic discoveries with a growing community of researchers at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital and other institutions across Greater Boston and beyond.
Job Overview
This is a senior level science research position for an enthusiastic individual interested in high-throughput antibody discovery, production and characterization and concepts of bioengineering, biochemistry and robotic automation. Major responsibilities include but not limited to conducting and assisting in advancing the antibody discovery pipeline at IPI with day-to-day activities such as antibody expression and purification, QC and optimization, data analysis, reporting results, coordination with various IPI teams as well as external stake holders, and management of the pipeline in a Good Laboratory Practice environment.
The candidate must be adaptable and willing to learn new techniques to help with daily IPI laboratory operations. The candidate must be engaged, well organized and detail oriented.
This is an exciting opportunity to continue to learn industry leading antibody discovery platform technologies in a semi-academic environment. IPI provides a fast paced, highly knowledgeable and collaborative research environment.
Responsibilities and Duties
· Antibody expression and purification in high-through form mammalian cell culture.
· Operating laboratory automation equipment including Biomek.
· Perform quality control analyses including Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), Plolyreactivity ELISAs, differential scanning florescence (DSF).
· Mammalian cell culture maintenance.
· Molecular biology skills such as DNA prep.
· Provide support for ongoing projects within the team.
· Assist in conducting experiments and working on research problems.
· Coordinate time management, scheduling, product delivery and data sharing across Antibody Platform teams.
· Maintain detailed records of experimental protocols and data in an electronic laboratory notebook in accordance with the Institute’s policy.
· Present data clearly in a weekly group meeting.
· Troubleshoot routine technical problems.
Qualifications
· B.S. (with 4 years+) or MS (with 3 years+) in biological or life sciences field required
· Experience with protein biochemistry and molecular biology
· Experience with mammalian cell culture such as HEK293 cells, CHO cells
· Familiar with running SDS-PAGE gel and Western Blot.
· Experience with ELISA, PSR, DSF, SEC experiments.
· Basic understanding of fundamental programming (Python) helpful, but not required
· Exceptional organizational and time-management skills and highly attentive to details
· Strong verbal and written communications skills required
· Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate within a team-based environment is required
· Enthusiastic team member with strong commitment to IPI’s mission and a desire to conduct impactful science