Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering (Wet Lab–Focused, ML Enabled)

Kite Pharma•Foster City, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly productive and innovative Senior Scientist, Protein Engineering (Wet Lab–Focused, ML Enabled) to join Kite Research. This role is designed for a senior level individual contributor who excels in hands on protein engineering and binder optimization, and who effectively integrates computational and machine learning–guided design into experimental workflows to accelerate discovery. The Senior Scientist will be a core execution engine within Discovery, driving binder identification and optimization through high throughput wet lab experimentation, while partnering closely with computational colleagues to translate in silico ideas into experimentally validated designs. This role requires sustained bench level excellence, scientific creativity, and the ability to advance multiple fast moving programs simultaneously.

Requirements

Advanced scientific degree (MD, PharmD, PhD) in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 2+ years of relevant postdoctoral or industry experience OR Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 6+ years of relevant scientific experience OR Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Virology, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 8+ years of relevant scientific experience

Nice To Haves

PhD in Protein Science, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related discipline with 2+ years of related experience
Strong hands on experience in protein engineering, binder discovery, or directed evolution
Demonstrated ability to independently execute complex, high throughput experimental workflows
Experience integrating computational or ML guided designs into wet lab experiments
Familiarity with display technologies (phage, yeast) and functional screening assays
Track record of exceptional experimental productivity across multiple discovery efforts
Experience contributing directly to programs advancing toward development
Strong scientific communication skills and collaborative mindset
Exceptionally strong bench level execution and experimental intuition
Comfortable translating computational ideas into experimental reality
Creative problem solver for difficult targets and engineering challenges
Highly organized, resilient, and effective in fast paced discovery environments
Trusted collaborator whose experimental output materially advances team success

Responsibilities

Design, build, and experimentally validate protein binders using display based discovery and optimization methods.
Execute and optimize affinity maturation, scaffold engineering, and property optimization workflows (e.g., binding, function, specificity, developability).
Apply target specific protein engineering strategies, including exploration of non canonical scaffolds or architectures when standard approaches are insufficient.
Independently plan and execute complex experimental campaigns, generating high quality, decision ready data.
Drive high volume cloning, expression, and screening efforts across multiple concurrent Discovery programs.
Serve as a reliable experimental backbone for priority programs, balancing speed, rigor, and reproducibility.
Rapidly iterate designs based on experimental feedback to accelerate learning cycles.
Collaborate closely with computational and ML scientists to experimentally test ML designed libraries and constructs.
Translate in silico designs into wet lab ready constructs and provide experimental feedback to refine models.
Contribute experimental insight that helps benchmark, validate, and improve computational design approaches.
Contribute to multiple Discovery programs concurrently in this central experimental role, contributing from early binder discovery through optimization.
Integrate multiple experimental modalities (e.g., phage display, yeast display, functional cell based assays) into cohesive discovery strategies.
Work cross functionally with Cell Biology and Translational teams to ensure binder properties align with downstream requirements.
Identify and implement improvements that increase experimental efficiency, robustness, or throughput.
Share best practices and technical insights through close collaboration and informal mentorship.
Contribute to a culture of execution excellence and continuous improvement within Discovery.