Scientist I: Bioconjugation - Discovery Sciences

About iQ Biosciences

iQ Biosciences (iQ) is a specialized preclinical research partner dedicated to helping drug developers ask the right questions early to generate meaningful data and make confident decisions throughout development. Since 2014, our immunology expertise, coupled with our agility, drive, and collaborative approach, has made us the partner of choice for research organizations of all sizes and across a range of therapeutic areas. iQ offers an integrated, scientist-led model that combines three core capabilities – high-quality cellular products, in vitro bioservices, and custom bioconjugation – and a commitment to being as passionate about its clients' research as they are.

As we enter a dynamic growth phase, we are expanding our Discovery Sciences Bioconjugation division focused on supporting clients developing conjugates for therapeutic drug discovery and biomedical research. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of protein chemistry and drug discovery, contribute to a diverse portfolio of client projects, and grow within a team that values scientific rigor, practical problem-solving, and responsive execution.

Position Overview

The Scientist I – Bioconjugation is a hands-on scientist responsible for the execution, analysis, and scientific support of bioconjugation studies across client-sponsored and internal research projects.

Working closely as the technical lead with Project Management and cross-functional scientific teams, the Scientist I will independently execute complex laboratory workflows, interpret experimental data, troubleshoot moderately complex technical issues, and contribute to experimental design and study planning.

The Scientist I is expected to apply sound scientific judgment to assigned work, independently plan routine experiments and optimization activities, adapt established methods to project-specific variables, and recommend appropriate next steps based on experimental results. More complex study design, novel method development, and higher-risk scientific decisions are generally made in consultation with more senior scientific staff.

This is a highly hands-on laboratory role suited to a scientist who is ready to move beyond technical execution and take increasing ownership of experimental reasoning, study outcomes, and scientific communication.

What You’ll Do

Bioconjugation & Technical Execution

• Independently execute antibody and protein bioconjugation reactions using established chemical and/or enzymatic approaches, including maleimide-, NHS ester-, and comparable protein-modification chemistries.

• Perform purification and buffer-exchange workflows using techniques such as desalting, tangential flow filtration, size-exclusion chromatography, Protein A, and AKTA/FPLC-based systems.

• Characterize conjugates using analytical methods such as SEC, HIC, UV-Vis, SDS-PAGE, concentration assays, and other appropriate methods; mass spectrometry experience is a plus.

• Independently execute complex established workflows and adapt experimental execution based on project-specific variables and approved scientific rationale.

• Plan and perform routine pilot, comparison, optimization, and confirmation experiments.

• Apply working knowledge of protein chemistry, buffer composition, pH, protein handling, and storage conditions to maintain sample quality and identify potential technical risks.

• Work carefully and economically with limited, high-value, or client-provided biological materials.

• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely experimental records and study documentation.

Experimental Planning & Scientific Judgment

• Contribute to study design and independently plan routine experiments within defined project objectives.

• Identify important experimental variables and recommend focused experiments to evaluate routine technical questions.

• Adapt established conjugation, purification, or analytical methods based on project variables, prior experience, and experimental results.

• Develop scientific rationale for routine experimental decisions and communicate that rationale clearly to the technical lead and project team.

• Evaluate whether experimental results adequately address the immediate study question and recommend reasonable follow-up work.

• Review relevant scientific literature and technical references to inform experimental planning and troubleshooting.

• Recognize when an experimental question or proposed approach exceeds the scope of routine decision-making and seek appropriate scientific review.

Troubleshooting & Data Interpretation

• Independently troubleshoot moderately complex conjugation, purification, and analytical issues using scientific principles and prior experience.

• Develop reasonable hypotheses for unexpected results and recommend appropriate follow-up experiments or method adjustments

• Perform root-cause analysis for routine or moderately complex experimental problems and escalate novel, high-risk, or broader scientific issues as appropriate.

• Analyze experimental data using tools such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, or comparable software.

• Interpret data in the context of study objectives, experimental conditions, and known technical limitations.

• Identify trends, inconsistencies, deviations, and potential sources of experimental variability.

• Draw scientific conclusions from assigned work and recommend next steps with appropriate review.

• Clearly communicate experimental limitations, uncertainties, and technical risks.

Study & Project Execution

• Take ownership of routine studies or defined scientific components of larger client projects.

• Coordinate experimental activities and sequencing for assigned work to support project timelines.

• Manage multiple concurrent studies or workstreams while maintaining accuracy, documentation quality, and responsiveness.

• Work closely with Project Management to communicate progress, scientific risks, material needs, and potential timeline impacts.

• Track assigned study activities and proactively identify issues that could affect project execution.

• Coordinate supporting experimental work performed by Research Associates when appropriate.

• Ensure assigned experimental work is completed according to iQ scientific and quality expectations.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate experimental plans, rationale, results, and recommended next steps clearly to the technical lead, Project Management, and internal scientific teams.

• Prepare study summaries, figures, tables, reports, and other client deliverables.

• Participate in technical discussions, data-review meetings, and internal project meetings.

• Participate in client-facing technical updates or data-review discussions as appropriate to study needs and experience.

• Answer routine technical questions related to assigned work and escalate significant scientific or strategic issues when appropriate.

• Surface technical issues, blockers, uncertainties, or changes in project timing promptly.

• Collaborate effectively with other scientific, project management, laboratory operations, and commercial team members.

Method & Laboratory Development

• Adapt and improve established bioconjugation, purification, and analytical methods based on experimental observations and project needs.

• Contribute to method optimization, transfer, and standardization activities.

• Draft and revise methods, SOPs, and technical procedures.

• Identify opportunities to improve reproducibility, efficiency, material utilization, and laboratory workflow.

• Support evaluation of new reagents, techniques, or equipment relevant to assigned work.

• Stay current with developments in bioconjugation, ADC technologies, protein chemistry, and analytical characterization.

• Contribute technical knowledge to internal R&D and capability-development projects.

Team Support

• Provide technical guidance to Research Associates working on related studies.

• Train team members on established methods, laboratory techniques, and equipment when qualified to do so.

• Review experimental observations or data with junior team members and help reinforce sound technical practices.

• Contribute to internal scientific discussions and knowledge-sharing.

• Serve as a reliable technical resource within assigned areas of expertise.

Who You Are

• Scientifically thoughtful: You understand not only how to perform an experiment, but why it is being performed and what information it is intended to generate.

• Hands-on: You remain directly engaged at the bench and are comfortable executing complex laboratory work.

• Independent: You can plan and execute routine experiments with limited day-to-day direction.

• Strong problem-solver: You can troubleshoot moderately complex problems, develop reasonable hypotheses, and recommend next steps.

• Data-driven: You interpret results in context and recognize when data support a conclusion, require additional work, or raise new questions.

• Accountable: You take ownership of assigned studies and workstreams, track progress, and surface risks early.

• Collaborative: You work effectively with Research Associates, other Scientists, Project Management, and technical leadership.

• Clear communicator: You can explain experimental rationale, results, limitations, and recommendations in a practical and audience-appropriate manner.

• Adaptable: You are comfortable working across different conjugate formats, chemistries, analytical methods, and client programs.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Ph.D. with approximately 0–2 years of relevant post-degree experience; or M.S. with approximately 3+ years of relevant experience; or B.S. with approximately 5–6+ years of progressively responsible relevant experience.

• Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

• Demonstrated experience independently executing, troubleshooting, and interpreting complex laboratory experiments.

• Industry experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, CRO, or a similarly deadline-driven research environment preferred.

Technical Skills

• Hands-on experience with antibody/protein bioconjugation, protein modification, or closely related laboratory workflows.

• Experience with conjugation chemistries such as maleimide, NHS ester, or comparable approaches.

• Familiarity with lysine- and cysteine-based conjugation and an understanding of how conjugation chemistry and site may affect distribution, homogeneity, and downstream performance.

• Strong protein-handling fundamentals, including concentration measurement and careful handling of limited or valuable biological material.

• Experience with one or more conjugate-characterization methods such as SEC, HIC, UV-Vis, SDS-PAGE, HPLC, or related techniques.

• Working knowledge of purification principles and chromatography; AKTA/FPLC experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret data, troubleshoot experiments, maintain strong laboratory records, and manage multiple assignments.

• Competency with data-analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism and Excel.

• Strong written and verbal scientific communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with ADCs or other antibody/protein conjugates.

• Familiarity with DAR measurement and linker-payload chemistry.

• Exposure to site-specific conjugation approaches.

• Experience with AKTA or FPLC systems.

• Experience adapting or optimizing established conjugation, purification, or analytical methods.

• Experience with multiple antibody isotypes or diverse protein formats.

• Experience in a CRO or client-service research environment managing concurrent assignments.

• Experience with LIMS, electronic laboratory notebooks, or project-management systems such as Zoho.

• Experience providing technical guidance or training to junior laboratory staff.

• Experience with sterile technique or mammalian cell culture is a plus.

General Information

• Status: Full-time exempt position.

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, generally 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on project needs.

• Location: 100% on-site, laboratory-based position in Alameda, California.

• Starting salary range: $115,000–$132,000, based on experience and qualifications.

• Full position salary range: $115,000–$145,000.

• Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with employer match after the introductory period, paid holidays, paid time off, EAP, life and long-term disability insurance, FSA with employer contribution, and company-provided lunch and snacks.

This job description outlines the position's primary duties and requirements. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the organization.