Careers
If you’re excited to help rationally design entirely new protein therapeutics, please email your CV to careers@aiproteins.bio
AI Proteins is an Equal Opportunity Employer
AI Proteins, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition, genetic information or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Current Openings
Associate Scientist in vivo Pharmacology
AI Proteins is seeking a protein scientist who will work closely with the Head of Biochemistry to lead efforts to produce miniprotein therapeutics. This person will design and implement pilot-scale manufacturing infrastructure, including protocol development and equipment purchasing. They will develop protocols that can be transferred to external facilities for large scale protein production, and in the future recruit and manage a team at AI Proteins. They will be responsible for ensuring protein manufacturing support and analysis across programs and provide expertise in efficiently driving to high-quality material for lead programs.
Areas of specific responsibility and attention will include the following:
- Set up, purchase and allocate pilot-scale manufacturing infrastructure.
- Establish and support the development of miniprotein production using host organisms such as Pichia pastoris, Kluyveromyces lactis, Bacillus subtilis, chinese hamster ovary, etc.
- Establish and perform miniprotein purification workflow, ensuring the yield and purity required for in vitro and in vivo
- Perform full characterization of miniproteins to assess sample quality.
- Collaborate in multiple projects to support preclinical studies and clinical development for leading molecules.
- Participate scientifically and technically on setting the bases for developability and formulation efforts.
- Initiate and manage the transference of production workflows for large-manufacturing scales with CROs.
The ideal candidate is proficient in protein production workflows, including molecular biology construct design, recombinant protein expression in multiple host organisms, protein purification techniques and biophysical characterization. Additional qualifications include:
- A degree in biochemistry, biology or a related discipline, and experience at a biotech or pharma company
- We look for a strong track record of success
- Can operate independently to design and optimize expression strains for a variety of different host organisms
- Expertise using large-scale protein production technologies, including bioreactors, tangential flow filtration, etc.
- Expertise with peptide and/or protein-based therapeutics is required
- Direct experience in supporting GMP protein manufacturing strategy and documentation is a plus
- Ability and willingness to lead from the bench
Research Associate
AI Proteins is looking for highly motivated Research Associates to join our team, with positions available in the following areas:
- Biophysics
- Pharmacology
- Bioprocess Development
- Biochemistry
The ideal candidates will have the opportunity to participate in all stages of the development pipeline, with specific emphasis depending on the focus of the team they join. As such, daily responsibilities will vary based on the position (see below). We are looking for individuals with a passion for innovation, a growth mindset, great attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively to solve problems in preclinical research and development. The position is ideal for a candidate with a solid understanding of laboratory benchwork who can effectively respond to changes and is resourceful, flexible, and driven to achieve in a dynamic environment.
We are specifically seeking to recruit candidates who are graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree, and our target start date is in July of 2024 (start date is negotiable).
General Responsibilities
- Prepare and/or assist in the preparation of internal reports, presentations, protocols, patents, and peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Attend regular group meetings to update fellow team members on research progress
- Contribute to building a positive, team-oriented biotech culture
- Organize and maintain laboratory reagents and supplies
- Maintain careful records of all experiments performed,data collected, and assist in the compilation of data
RA on our Biophysics Team
- Biophysical characterization of proteins in high throughput using multiple techniques including: circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- Determination of protein interaction parameters using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and development of novel SPR-based methods
- Analysis of protein structure-function relationships by integrating data from multiple different sources such as: computational structure prediction, spectroscopy, SPR, and biochemical and biological assays
- Operate and maintain analytical instruments such as: SPR, CD spectrometers, liquid handling robots, and more RA on our Bioprocess Development Team
- DNA cloning and strain development experiments in yeast and bacteria
- Support during setting up, operation, and maintenance of the upstream lab equipment such as bioreactors and metabolite and nutrient analyzers
- Operation and maintenance of downstream bioprocess-related equipment, such as fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), tangential-flow filtration systems, and filters to purify protein drug candidates for in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies RA on our Biochemistry Team
- Execute antigen production, which involves the maintenance of Expi293 cell culture, transfection, and protein purification
- Support the automated production of miniproteins that will serve as lead therapeutics, from molecular cloning, transformation into E. coli, expression, purification, and quality control
RA on our Pharmacology Team
- Maintenance and preparation of suspension and adherent cell lines
- Execution of in vitro cell-based assays such as viability assays, co-culture assays, cell stimulation and activation assays
- Perform flow cytometry assays and ELISA/luminex related assays
- Ex-vivo processing and analysis of animal tissues
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and/or relevant experience working in the biotech/engineering field
- Strong scientific background in one or more of the following areas: chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, immunology, oncology, microbiology, fermentation, or a related field
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and resolve instrument issues
- Ability to operate independently and to design and perform complex experiments
- Driven, self-motivated personality
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- No jerks. It’s important to work in an environment that is fun, and where we treat one another with dignity and respect
Laboratory/Office Assistant (part-time)
AI Proteins is looking to expand our team by adding a Laboratory/Office Assistant to support operations in our facility. This is a 20 hour a week part-time position (Monday thru Friday 10am to 2pm). The Laboratory/Office Assistant will perform duties that are important in keeping our laboratory and office area clean, orderly and functioning efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Monitor and maintain laboratory supplies/inventory in laboratory work areas; restock supplies, check all storage areas in the laboratory for any surplus stock and distribute accordingly.
- Cleaning, disinfection of lab equipment and work areas.
- Perform weekly biosafety inspections.
- Receive deliveries and distribute to the appropriate areas/persons.
- General day to day lab and office organization/cleaning (e.g., break down shipping boxes, clean common areas such as the kitchen or coffee areas).
- Maintain office supplies, snacks and coffee inventory.
- Greet, liaise with and direct visitors.
- High School degree or equivalent
- Driven, self-motivated, detail oriented personality
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced team-oriented environment.
- Ability to regularly lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally move or lift up to 80 pounds.
- Will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function
- Proficient in Google Workspace and Zoom
Benefit Highlights
- Competitive Medical, Dental, Vision, and Disability
- Generous 401k match
- Commuter benefits
- Unlimited Paid Time Off