Protein Scientist

About The Role

Reporting to Jan (Head of Protein Sciences), the Scientist (Protein Sciences) drives the development, optimization, and characterization of purification workflows and analytical assays that inform and advance our larval recombinant‑protein platform. This vital role combines rigorous process development with scientific discovery to understand platform behaviour and improve product quality. As a trusted owner of key initiatives, the role is responsible for independently executing experiments and translating results into novel methodologies that expand the platform’s capabilities. This position moves beyond following protocols to proactively troubleshoot and provide the high‑quality data essential to scaling our impact.

This Role Will Own

• Executing complex end‑to‑end purification workflows to isolate high‑quality target proteins from our unique biological matrices.
• Building and refining a modular library of extraction and purification protocols that work across diverse protein classes.
• Conducting deep‑dive investigations into purification hurdles, such as protein aggregation, low recovery, or persistent impurities, to enhance the fundamental robustness of the platform.
• Analyzing multidimensional datasets to generate “protein profiles” that provide critical feedback for upstream genetic design and downstream application development.
• Performing analytical assays, including SDS‑PAGE and Western Blotting, to verify protein identity, purity, and structural integrity.
• Maintaining meticulous, real‑time documentation within Benchling (ELN) to ensure platform insights are preserved, searchable, and actionable for the broader team.

This Role Will Assist By

• Collaborating across teams including CDMO, Genetics, and Manufacturing to connect molecular architecture with final protein performance.
• Acting as a trusted, supportive teammate in the lab, identifying and resolving technical bottlenecks before they impact project timelines.

About You

You are a disciplined researcher who thrives in the (sometimes) messy reality of a startup. You are a proactive collaborator who values transparency and can work independently without losing sight of the team's shared goals. You approach technical challenges with a sense of ownership and are eager to contribute to a mission that is transforming the future of biotech.

Must-haves

• MSc with ≥2 years’ or BSc with ≥4 years’ relevant experience in recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization.
• Proven hands‑on experience with chromatographic purification (affinity, ion‑exchange, HIC, SEC) and filtration workflows at bench scale.
• Experience running analytical assays for product quality (SDS‑PAGE, Western, activity assays) and ability to interpret data to guide process decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experiments and prioritize competing projects, and deliver results on time.
• Strong documentation practices and experience with ELN and protocol repositories (Benchling or equivalent).
• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills; comfortable working directly with upstream and engineering teams to connect molecular design with purification outcomes.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented, with strong attention to detail and a bias for rapid iteration and learning.

Bonus points

• Familiarity with SPR, HPLC, mass spectrometry or other analytical techniques is an asset.
• Experience with AKTA systems or automated liquid handling.
• Familiarity with insect‑based expression or other non‑traditional platforms.

Within 1 Month, You Will

• Complete full safety and platform training for our larval recombinant‑protein system. Understand the unique nuances of extracting proteins from complex insect matrices.
• Successfully execute a standard end‑to‑end purification workflow (extraction to final elution) and perform fundamental analytical assays (SDS‑PAGE, Western Blot) to confirm platform baseline metrics.
• Establish a daily rhythm in Benchling, ensuring all experimental designs, deviations, and results are documented with the level of detail required for cross‑functional audit.
• Integrate with the R&D team to understand the current "pain points" in the workflows.

Within 3 Months, You Will

• Move beyond "following protocols" to identifying specific bottlenecks in the current purification workflows (e.g., persistent impurities or low recovery stages).
• Begin correlating purification outcomes with upstream genetic variables, providing the first set of actionable feedback to the molecular teams to improve future yields.
• Manage 1-2 research sub‑projects independently, ensuring experimental timelines are met without requiring day‑to‑day supervision on bench‑scale tasks.

Within 6 Months, You Will

• Participate in, and begin to lead, focused investigations into purification hurdles (e.g., managing protein aggregation or reducing impurities). You will propose and test process adjustments that contribute to a more robust platform.
• Actively share your experimental findings in cross‑functional meetings, providing the data necessary to help the team make informed "Go/No-Go" decisions on specific host‑engineering strategies.
• Use and refine the modular "protein toolbox" to improve the consistency and efficiency of our standard purification runs, ensuring results are reproducible and well‑documented.
• Work with the team to explore and adopt new analytical methods that enhance our protein characterization. You will help refine the "protein profiling" workflows to ensure we are capturing the most useful data for our research projects.

Within 1 Year, You Will

• Become a subject matter expert for how specific protein classes (e.g., growth factors or enzymes) behave within the larval expression system.
• Have successfully translated a series of experimental results into a novel methodology that significantly expands the platform’s capabilities (e.g., a new extraction technique that increases yield by >20%).

We are committed to building a diverse team and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities and candidates from all backgrounds and identities.

Please note that for this specific position, we are unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization; candidates must currently be legally authorized to work in Canada.