Director, Protein Sciences (AI Biotech)

Location: South San Francisco, California, United States

Base salary: $196,000–$245,000 annually, plus bonus and equity.

Company

Innovative biotech startup using generative AI and foundation models for biology and disease to design protein and antibody therapeutics and improve drug discovery and development.

What you will do

• Define, prioritize, and execute the protein production and characterization roadmap while leading the protein sciences team.
• Drive collaboration across biology, AI design, engineering, process development, CMC, and clinical teams.
• Direct protein production in E. coli, cell-free, and mammalian systems across throughputs ranging from 10 to thousands of samples.
• Qualify recombinant proteins and characterize antibodies using spectroscopic, electrophoresis, SEC, BLI/SPR, mass spectrometry, and related methods.
• Lead purification of soluble and membrane proteins using AKTA and other systems, integrating automation for high-throughput experiments.
• Mentor team members, interpret and present findings, maintain research records, and contribute to publications, patents, technical reports, and regulatory documentation.

Requirements

• B.S. or Ph.D. in structural biology, protein biochemistry, or a related field, with 10+ years of industrial experience.
• Deep experience designing and optimizing antibody production processes, including fermentation, cell culture, and purification.
• Experience using automation to generate 1,000+ small-scale antibodies and related molecules.
• Hands-on experience with HPLC, mass spectrometry, BLI, SPR, ELISA, and CE-SDS for antibody characterization.
• Ability to analyze experimental data, optimize processes, collaborate across research, CMC, and clinical functions, and prepare detailed electronic lab records.
• Experience training and mentoring junior team members in protein production and analytical techniques.

Nice to have

• Structural biology experience with X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM.
• Experience with LIMS and Benchling.

Culture & Benefits

• Open, flexible, and friendly work environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Base salary supplemented by bonus and equity.
• Opportunities for long-term career development.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity.