Scientific Director – Discovery and Protein Science

Just – Evotec Biologics is seekinga highly motivated and creative antibody discovery and protein science director that desires a significant opportunity to improve worldwide access to biotherapeutics. The position will lead a group of scientists in expanding and utilizingan AI-driven platform of Fab on phage and VHH on yeast display platforms, the development of methods and procedures for fast vector and antigen creation, and highly parallel research therapeutic production methods.This role leads the design and implementation of advanced antibody-based biotherapeutic discovery and translation to lead therapeutics,maintaining updated understanding of discovery platforms, even those outside of those implemented at Just. The role requires the ability to recruit for and lead functional areas in a discovery organization including library design, DNA synthesis, library creation methods such as phage, yeast, and CHO platforms, antigen design and production, high-throughput screening and activity assays, NGS methods, therapeutic modality design, laboratory automation, and high-throughput and larger scale lead production.The successful candidate must also possessstrong communication and collaboration skills, a desire to learn new scientific concepts and domains, and an ability to work directly with scientific staff across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Lead protein science functions such as DNA synthesis, vector creation, and protein production

• Expand and utilize multiple mAb and VHH based discovery libraries with supporting functions required to drive lead biotherapeutic development

• Drive automation and ultra-high throughput methods for active programs and data generation

• Lead budget creation and track costs associated with building and running a discovery organization

• Hire, train, and organize necessary staff, as well as manage existing staff

• Lead and mentor staff to work innovatively and collaboratively

• Engage with scientific leadership throughout the company to tailor methods to broader platform

• Operate with a drive toward innovation across functions

• Deep understanding of the technological challenges in biotherapeutics discovery, molecular design, process development, and manufacturing and provide input toward effortsto address these challenges

• Excellent communication skills; comfort presenting findings and pitching business cases to technical, senior leadership and executive audiences

Education qualifications and other Requirements:

• Ph.D. in a related scientific area

• 15+ years of relevant experience, 10+ years of team and project management experience

• Strong drive toward innovation in areas of discovery platforms and application of discovery, including design and use of libraries for large-scale data generation driving machine-learning methods, generation of modalities for repeated use such as cell engagers and receptor-mediated relocation strategies, and methods for therapeutic translation toward manufacturing

• Strong understanding of mAb and mAb-based structural biology to aid in modality designs and data generation to improve design methods

• Possesses extensive leadership and mentoring capabilities, along with strong written and verbal communication skills

• Able to present capabilities and results to targeted and general audiences and to publish as applicable

• Viewed as a thought leader in the field

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be $190,000 to $220,000;  Base salary offered may vary depending on individual’s skills, experience and competitive market value. Additional total rewards include discretionary annual bonus, comprehensive benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, short-term and long-term disability, company paid basic life insurance, 401k company match, flexible work, generous paid time off and paid holiday, wellness and transportation benefits.