Postdoctoral Researcher

Key duties & responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the job include:

• Execute upstream, laboratory‑based antibody discovery activities, sequence generation and verification, cloning, and CHO‑based transient and stable expression.
• Express, purify, and characterise antibodies using established and evolving upstream workflows.
• Perform functional binding and biophysical evaluations to assess antibody quality and performance against defined targets.
• Translate externally generated in silico antibody sequence designs into experimentally expressed and characterised molecules.
• Support the continuous optimisation of upstream expression and characterisation workflows to improve efficiencies, robustness, and data generation.
• Generate, analyse, and interpret experimental data to inform antibody selection and support downstream development decisions.
• Collaborate closely with internal and consortium cross-functional teams to provide expression and functional evaluation materials and data to inform consortium prioritisation.
• Operate in accordance with laboratory best practices, ensuring highest standards of data integrity, reproducibility, scientific rigour.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, analyse results robustly and accurately (detailing statistical models applied, model testing and rationale accurately), and develop technical reports and project presentations.
• Lead manuscript writing, contribute to grant reports, and ensure data and documentation is aligned with highest laboratory and reporting standards.
• Present findings at consortium meetings, scientific conferences, and stakeholder briefings.
• Ensure strict adherence to project and consortium outputs and timelines, providing predefined deliverables and milestones in line with programme requirements.

Essential criteria

• PhD in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline.
• Relevant postdoctoral or equivalent industry experience (≥3 years).
• Strong practical expertise in mammalian cell culture, specifically CHO‑based transient expression systems.
• Demonstrated experience in sequence verification, cloning, and construct preparation for recombinant protein production.
• Proven hands‑on experience in upstream recombinant antibody expression and characterisation.
• Experience performing functional binding and characterisation assays to evaluate antibody performance.
• Ability to translate externally generated in silico antibody sequence designs into experimentally expressed and characterised molecules.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting experimental protein and antibody datasets.
• Excellent laboratory practice, with a commitment to data integrity, reproducibility, and high scientific standards.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to document experimental work and present scientific findings clearly.
• Ability to manage experimental workloads and execute objectives for timely completion of deliverables and milestones.

Desirable criteria

• Experience developing Stable CHO Cell Lines.
• Experience designing and expressing monoclonal antibodies or multi-specific molecules.
• Experience utilising automated bioreactor platforms for CHO clone evaluation.
• Experience using cloning platforms.
• Experience in antibody discovery using various approaches.