TEMP - Scientist, Bioconjugation Purification

Neurocrine Biosciences•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing, and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, and immunological disorders. The Scientist, Bioconjugation Purification, will support the discovery and development of novel antibody-based therapeutics through the purification, characterization, and formulation of antibodies and bioconjugates. This role is responsible for designing and executing purification strategies for complex antibodies and emerging bioconjugate modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), antibody-peptide conjugates (APCs), and antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs). The successful candidate will leverage expertise in protein purification, chromatography, analytical characterization, and data interpretation to deliver high-quality materials that enable downstream research and development activities. Working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment, the Scientist will contribute to advancing innovative therapeutic programs from discovery through preclinical development.

Requirements

BS/BA degree in biology and 2+ years of relevant experience OR MS/MA degree in biology and some relevant industry experience preferred OR PhD or equivalent and some relevant experience
Knowledge of the principles of Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, or related field
Demonstrated experience in purification of monoclonal/complex antibodies, antibody fragments, recombinant proteins, and/or bioconjugates and understanding of scale-up principles
Hands-on experience in preparative and analytical chromatography techniques including affinity chromatography, ion exchange chromatography (CEX and AEX), Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and mixed-mode/multimodal chromatography
Experience operating and troubleshooting chromatography systems such as ÄKTA Pure, ÄKTA Avant, or equivalent systems
Proficiency with tangential flow filtration (TFF), ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF), and buffer exchange processes
Experience characterizing proteins and bioconjugates using analytical methods including: SEC-HPLC, HIC-HPLC for DAR determination, Reverse-phase HPLC, UV-Vis spectroscopy, endotoxin testing (LAL or equivalent)
Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and present complex purification and characterization data
Experience maintaining laboratory notebooks, batch records, SOPs, and technical reports in compliance with quality standards
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously
Ability to independently design experiments, troubleshoot technical issues, and recommend process improvements
Ability to evaluate emerging purification and characterization technologies and implement novel approaches where appropriate
Demonstrated scientific rigor, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity and reproducibility
Demonstrated ability to maintain a clean, organized, and efficient laboratory environment while managing multiple priorities
Collaborative team player who builds positive working relationships across functional groups and contributes to a productive team culture
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a highly interactive, fast-paced research environment
Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and follow-through in completing assigned responsibilities
Adaptable and receptive to feedback, with a continuous improvement mindset and eagerness to learn new techniques and technologies
Proactive, approachable, and engaged, with a willingness to actively participate in scientific discussions and team activities

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of protein chemistry, antibody structure-function relationships, and bioconjugation principles is a plus
Familiarity with analytical mass spectrometry for intact mass, subunit analysis, and conjugate characterization a plus

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and optimize purification processes for antibodies and bioconjugates using a variety of chromatographic and filtration techniques
Purify and formulate antibodies, ADCs, APCs, AOCs, and related bioconjugate modalities to support discovery and preclinical development activities
Characterize purified products using established analytical methods and interpret data to assess product quality, purity, identity, and conjugation attributes
Analyze experimental results, troubleshoot technical challenges, and recommend process improvements to enhance product recovery, purity, and overall process performance
Generate, organize, and communicate scientific data through technical reports, presentations, and electronic laboratory documentation.
Collaborate effectively with scientists across bioconjugation, protein engineering, analytical, and other cross-functional teams to support project objectives
Evaluate and implement new purification and characterization technologies to improve workflow efficiency and product quality
Maintain accurate laboratory records, batch documentation, and inventory in accordance with company procedures and quality standards
Comply with all safety, quality, and operational requirements while contributing to a productive and collaborative laboratory environment
Maintain responsibility for the storage, inventory management, tracking, and distribution of antibodies, bioconjugates, and precursor materials, ensuring compliance with established procedures and supporting efficient execution of research programs
Manage laboratory inventories of consumables, reagents, and chemicals, and coordinate procurement activities in accordance with departmental procedures and established guidelines to ensure efficient laboratory operations