Scientist I

About Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.

About the Role

As a part of the Protein Engineering team, you will play a crucial role in discovering and developing novel biotherapeutics. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the production and characterization of monoclonal and bi/multispecific antibodies within a biotherapeutics discovery setting, coupled with a proactive and can-do attitude. This is a hands-on, lab-based position. 

Responsibilities:

• Support the discovery and development of therapeutic molecules through hands-on laboratory work.


• Characterize antibodies by biosensors (BLI, SPR), flow cytometry, ELISA, etc


• Express antibodies and other proteins using transient transfection in mammalian expression systems at milliliter to liter scales.


• Purify proteins using a variety of chromatographic techniques, including affinity, size exclusion, and ion exchange chromatography.


• Analyze experimental data, generate reports, and present findings to the team and cross-functional teams.


• Store antibodies and proteins in dedicated databases and maintain detailed records.


• Maintain accurate and up-to-date experiment records in an ELN.


• Support other workflows as needed, including cell culture maintenance, binder discovery, functional assays, and developability analysis.


• Build and maintain an updated understanding of program needs.


• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and contribute to lab organization and operations.

Qualifications:

• BA/MS/PhD degree in molecular biology, structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, or a related discipline, with 4+ years of industry experience.


• Experience in protein and antibody (including monoclonals, bispecifics, and antibody fragments) production, purification and characterization techniques (including affinity, ion exchange, HIC, SEC) and in chromatography hardware and software (including Cytiva AKTA, Agilent HPLC).


• Extensive experience in antibody characterization using biosensors (BLI, SPR), ELISA and flow cytometry.


• Experience in molecular biology and vector design for protein expression.


• Experience with mammalian cell culture.


• Experience with cell-free protein expression is a plus


• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., GraphPad Prism) and statistical tools.


• Proactive attitude with a self-starter mindset.


• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Strong collaborative skills and interest in working in cross-functional teams and a startup environment.


• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.


• Ability to work independently with accountability and meticulous attention to detail.

Compensation: Annual

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity.  The base pay range for this position is expected to be $110,000 - $138,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.

TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Xaira Therapeutics does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias or employees. Xaira Therapeutics is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.