Associate Scientist – Protein Engineering

Role Description

Enlaza Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist, Protein Engineering, to support our antibody and protein engineering programs. Reporting to the Principal Scientist of Protein Engineering, this laboratory-based role will contribute to the discovery, characterization, optimization, and advancement of therapeutic antibody and VHH candidates across multiple pipeline programs.

This position is ideal for a hands-on experimental scientist who enjoys executing high-quality laboratory work, analyzing data, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will play a key role in molecular cloning, recombinant protein production, purification, and biochemical characterization, while gaining exposure to advanced protein engineering and biophysical characterization techniques.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, eager to learn, and thrives in a dynamic biotechnology environment. Prior experience with biophysical characterization techniques such as bio-layer interferometry (BLI) is preferred but not required. We are committed to training talented scientists who demonstrate strong scientific fundamentals and a desire to expand their technical expertise.

This is a full-time, onsite laboratory position based at our headquarters in San Diego, California.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze experiments using molecular biology and protein engineering techniques, including molecular cloning, mutagenesis, transformation, recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization.
• Support antibody and VHH engineering efforts, including affinity maturation, humanization, developability improvement, sequence optimization, and mitigation of molecular liabilities.
• Produce and characterize recombinant proteins from bacterial expression systems, including construct preparation, expression screening, purification, and analytical assessment.
• Perform protein characterization assays, including SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, protein concentration determination, and other biochemical and biophysical analyses.
• Assist in the evaluation and advancement of screening hits and lead molecules through sample preparation and characterization studies such as BLI, kinetic analysis, epitope binning, and developability assessment.
• Analyze, interpret, document, and communicate experimental results to project teams and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and well-organized experimental records in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) and data management systems.
• Collaborate closely with scientists across protein sciences, discovery biology, computational biology, analytical sciences, and translational research functions.
• Contribute to laboratory organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and compliance with company procedures and safety practices.

Required Skills and Experience

• BS/MS in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Protein Sciences, Protein Engineering, Structural Biology, or a related scientific discipline with 5+ years (BS) or 3+ years (MS) of relevant industry or academic laboratory experience.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including construct design, molecular cloning, mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, and plasmid preparation.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification from E. coli, protein quantification, SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting.
• Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly present scientific findings in group meetings.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced, and multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using sequence analysis and molecular biology software such as Geneious, Benchling, SnapGene, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with recombinant antibody, VHH, or other biologic therapeutics discovery and characterization workflows.
• Experience with biophysical characterization methods such as BLI (Octet), SPR, SEC, DSF, or related assays.
• Familiarity with developability assessment and lead optimization strategies for therapeutic proteins.
• Experience maintaining electronic laboratory notebooks and laboratory data management systems.