Director, Antibody Discovery and Engineering

Director, Antibody Discovery and Engineering (Phage Display)

A cutting-edge biotechnology organization is looking for a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as Director of Antibody Discovery and Engineering, with a focus on phage display technologies. This role will be instrumental in guiding the discovery and development of next-generation bi- and multispecific biologics.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong scientific foundation in antibody discovery, molecular biology, and protein engineering, along with a proven ability to lead high-performing teams. This position offers the opportunity to shape discovery strategies, drive innovation, and collaborate across disciplines to advance therapeutic programs from concept to IND-enabling studies.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead antibody discovery efforts using phage display platforms, including the design and execution of selection campaigns.
• Oversee the development and refinement of fully human Fab and VH phage display libraries.
• Direct engineering strategies for affinity maturation, dematuration, and optimization of antibody candidates to meet therapeutic goals.
• Integrate structural biology, bioinformatics, and protein engineering approaches to enhance molecule properties and reduce liabilities.
• Manage external collaborations, including CROs, for molecular biology and in vivo discovery via immunization.
• Ensure project milestones are met through effective planning, prioritization, and cross-functional coordination.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the discovery team.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to ensure smooth transitions between discovery and downstream development.
• Contribute to intellectual property strategy and regulatory documentation as needed.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or a related field, with at least 9 years of industry experience.
• Deep expertise in phage display, including library construction, NGS, ELISA, BLI, and other discovery tools.
• Strong background in molecular biology and hands-on experience in protein engineering.
• Experience with structure-guided design and computational modeling is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in leading scientific teams and advancing biologics programs.
• Familiarity with multispecific antibody formats and therapeutic development pipelines is preferred.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to scientific integrity.