Associate Director, Biotherapeutic Production and Characterization

Generate Biomedicines•Somerville, MA

27d•$160,000 - $210,000

About The Position

The Associate Director will lead a scientific team working across biological engineering, protein science, automation, and data-enabled discovery. The role defines and advances how complex protein targets are designed, produced, characterized, and delivered to project teams, with the goal of improving speed, scale, quality, and scientific insight. It combines experimental science with agentic design, automation, and high-throughput experimentation to develop solutions for difficult-to-express antigens, membrane proteins, and other complex modalities. The Associate Director leads protein production, purification, and fit-for-purpose characterization in support of discovery and early development. The position is accountable for delivering high-quality, assay-ready protein reagents and actionable data for program decisions, while advancing technologies, data practices, and team capabilities. It also leads team development, portfolio planning, resource allocation, external partnerships, and cross-functional scientific collaboration.

Requirements

PhD in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemical engineering, bioengineering, protein sciences, or a related discipline, with 8 years of relevant industry experience; or an M.S. in a related discipline with 10 years of relevant industry experience.
Demonstrated success leading and developing scientific teams in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment.
Experience producing or characterizing complex biologics, including multispecific antibodies.
Expert technical knowledge across protein expression, purification, and characterization, with sound judgment in complex scientific decisions and cross-workflow challenges.
Strong experience with construct design and optimization, protein formats, boundary engineering, affinity tags, or site-specific labeling strategies.
Strong experience with mammalian expression systems.
Strong expertise in protein-purification methods, including affinity capture, size-exclusion chromatography, and other methods used to generate high-quality research or assay-enabling material.
Strong understanding of fit-for-purpose analytical and biochemical characterization methods for evaluating protein purity, aggregation, concentration, identity, stability, oligomeric state, and related quality attributes.
Experience establishing and managing productive relationships with CROs, vendors, or other external technology partners.
Track record of improving workflows, implementing new technologies, and increasing throughput, reproducibility, material quality, or operational efficiency.
Strong resource-planning and prioritization skills, including managing competing program needs, internal capacity, timelines, external partnerships, and approved spending plans.
Demonstrated ability to exercise advanced judgment on complex scientific and operational problems, assess incomplete or conflicting information, and make decisions with meaningful program impact.

Nice To Haves

Experience with cell-free or other specialized expression systems.

Responsibilities

Oversee protein production across mammalian, bacterial, and cell-free systems, including construct design, expression, purification, characterization, quality control, normalization, and assay-ready handoff.
Develop solutions for difficult antigens and complex proteins through construct and boundary optimization, tag and format selection, alternate expression systems, site-specific labeling, automation, and other enabling technologies.
Establish fit-for-purpose production, purification, and characterization standards for yield, purity, aggregation, concentration, identity, oligomeric state, stability, and biotinylation.
Lead portfolio planning, prioritization, and resource allocation across internal and outsourced production and characterization activities.
Manage relationships with CROs, technology providers, and other external partners; communicate progress, risks, resource needs, and tradeoffs to senior stakeholders.
Represent Biotherapeutic Production & Characterization on cross-functional program and platform teams, translating scientific objectives into actionable strategies and recommendations.
Lead adoption of automation, structured data practices, AI/ML-enabled tools, and agentic workflows.
Drive operational excellence through prioritization, resource planning, metrics, risk management, and continuous improvement.
Lead, coach, and develop a team spanning protein construct design, molecular biology, expression, purification, characterization, and protein reagent operations.
Set expectations for scientific quality, delivery, collaboration, and accountability, and ensure team members understand how their work supports organizational priorities.
Provide timely, constructive feedback and equitable opportunities for technical development, leadership growth, increased responsibility, and career progression.
Build a culture of technical excellence, inclusion, integrity, urgency, and collaboration.