Research Associate (RA), Antibody Discovery and Engineering (Cambridge, UK)

About The Company
IONTAS is a pioneering and internationally renowned company focused on biotherapeutic drug development. Co-founded by John McCafferty, an inventor of antibody phage display technology, IONTAS combines deep expertise in antibody phage display with a cutting-edge proprietary mammalian display platform capable of identifying high affinity and developable lead antibody candidates during the earliest stages of drug discovery. This exciting set of technologies and expertise gives the company a unique edge in therapeutic antibody development.

IONTAS, the innovation and technology centre of FairJourney Biologics since 2020, is located at The Works on the Unity Campus, south of Cambridge, within a growing community of technology and life sciences organisations. Iontas and FairJourney Biologics combined operation consists of over 100 scientists providing antibody discovery and engineering services to partners worldwide, with a proven track record of over 500 completed projects, in partnership with over 100 leading biotech and pharma companies. Would you like to join us and play a key role in the Discovery and Engineering team in Cambridge, UK?

The Role
We are seeking a highly capable and enthusiastic lab-based Research Associate to join the Discovery & Engineering Unit at our new South Cambridgeshire site. You will work in projects for generating best in class antibody molecules applying our display technologies and screening methods. Your responsibilities will include the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, and communication of the findings. A positive and solution focused mindset is required to deliver on a wide range of intellectually challenging projects.

Candidate profile

The most important characteristics we seek for this role are a willingness and desire to learn, an enthusiastic outlook, and an established ability to work in a laboratory and team environment.
• You have a BSc and/or MSc in a relevant field and at least 2-3 years practical laboratory experience
• Understanding and proven practical experience of molecular biology and/or cellular biology techniques
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• The ability, with support, to plan and execute to clear timelines and to prioritise tasks
• The ability to work independently and actively collaborate within and across teams

Familiarity with any of the following would be an advantage:
• Display technology techniques (e.g. phage, yeast, ribosome display)
• Screening assays (biochemical and cell-based)
• Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) or similar
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
• Any other experience relevant to antibody discovery & engineering

We offer integration into a highly motivated and supportive team working within an international group which includes our sister company FairJourney Biologics in Porto, Portugal. We offer career development opportunities and a fun and supportive working environment in our expanding Cambridge site.

Competitive salaries depending on experience, including the opportunity to participate in the company pension and life insurance schemes.