Associate Scientist, Protein Engineering & Binder Optimization

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Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and detailoriented Associate Scientist to join the Protein Engineering & Binder Optimization group within Kite Research. This role is primarily benchfocused and executiondriven with a strong emphasis on handson laboratory support for highthroughput protein expression purification and analytical characterization.

The Associate Scientist will be a critical contributor to discovery and optimization programs serving as a reliable experimental operator who enables scale speed and data quality across multiple protein engineering efforts. This position is wellsuited for an individual who thrives in a fastpaced research environment values rigor and reproducibility and is excited to build deep technical expertise in protein production and analytics.

Key Responsibilities

HighThroughput Protein Expression & Purification (Primary Focus)

• Execute highthroughput cloning expression and purification of recombinant proteins and binders across multiple formats (e.g. bacterial mammalian or yeast systems as applicable).

• Perform parallelized smallscale and midscale protein production to support binder discovery and optimization workflows.

• Prepare purified proteins for downstream applications ensuring appropriate quality concentration and documentation.

• Rigorously track samples constructs and yields using electronic lab notebooks and sample management systems.

Protein Characterization & Analytics

• Perform routine and advanced protein analytical assays such as SDSPAGE SEC ELISA and concentration/quality assessments.

• Support binding and functional characterization efforts (e.g. sample preparation for SPR/BLI cellbased assays or functional screens).

• Assess protein quality stability and suitability for downstream assays; flag issues and propose troubleshooting steps.

Experimental Execution in Discovery Programs

• Provide consistent highquality experimental execution in support of binder discovery optimization and validation campaigns.

• Work from protocols while developing the technical judgment to recognize deviations failures or optimization opportunities.

• Generate clear reproducible and decisionready experimental data that feeds directly into program workflows.

Workflow Support & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the robustness and scalability of protein production and analytical workflows.

• Identify opportunities to improve throughput reproducibility or data quality through protocol refinement and standardization.

• Maintain wellorganized lab spaces reagents and shared resources to support efficient team operation.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate closely with Scientists and computational partners within the larger Protein Science team

• Communicate experiment status results and issues clearly in team discussions and written records.

• Engage constructively with crossfunctional partners (e.g. Cell Biology Translational teams) as needed for sample handoff and assay support.

Basic Qualifications

• Masters degree with 2 years of relevant scientific experience
  OR

• Bachelors degree with 4 years of relevant scientific experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Biochemistry Molecular Biology Protein Science Bioengineering or a related discipline

• Handson laboratory experience in recombinant protein expression and purification

• Demonstrated ability to execute repetitive highthroughput wetlab workflows with accuracy and consistency

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality and experimental traceability

• Experience with parallelized or automated protein expression/purification workflows

• Familiarity with common protein analytics and characterization methods (e.g. SEC ELISA biophysical assays)

• Experience working in electronic lab notebooks and sample/LIMS systems

• Prior experience supporting protein engineering antibody or binder discovery programs

Attributes for Success

• Highly reliable experimental executor who takes pride in highquality bench work

• Organized methodical and comfortable managing multiple samples and workflows in parallel

• Learns quickly from feedback and adapts to evolving experimental needs

• Collaborative team member who enables the productivity of Scientists and program teams

• Motivated to build deep technical expertise in protein expression purification and analytics within a discovery research environment

This role will report into the Protein Engineering & Binder Optimization group complementing it through strong benchlevel execution and experimental scale.

For additional benefits information visit:

Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune systems ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica CA. For more information on Kite please visit . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at jobs in the United States:

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