Research Associate

The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is a newly founded non-profit research organization aiming to become a world leading research institute for the advanced study of immunological systems with a mission to develop translational solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The scientific foundation of the BIIE and the broader field of Immune Engineering is based on the intersection of three interdisciplinary subdomains: (i) systems immunology, (ii) synthetic immunology and (iii) computational immunology. The BIIE will serve as a hub for multidisciplinary science, by uniting people with diverse expertise in immunology, biomedicine, bioengineering, systems and synthetic biology, computational biology, artificial intelligence and machine learning. As part of the mission of BIIE to make a lasting impact, it will dedicate significant efforts in training early-stage researchers in this unique multidisciplinary environment, thus enabling them to become future leaders in Immune Engineering.

We are seeking a Research Associate to join our new Biobetters translational initiative at the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering, where they will support high-throughput experimental workflows in antibody lead optimization and characterization. As such, you will support us on generating and screening large libraries in yeast, high-throughput DNA sequencing, transient protein production and purification from mammalian cells, as well as a range of antibody characterization methods.

Tasks

• High-Throughput Production and Purification: Execute cloning, high-throughput mammalian transfection workflows (CHO/HEK) & purification of 100s of antibody variants.
• Biophysical Characterization: Perform critical developability assays, including UPLC-SEC, Nano-DSF (thermal stability), and PS-SINS.
• Plate-based Assays: Perform assets to quantify potency and polyreactivity of antibody candidates (e.g. cell-based, ELISA).
• Large Library Screening: construct and screen yeast display libraries using FACS and MACS. Prepare samples and run NGS (Illumina MiSeq).
• Data Management: Maintain rigorous electronic records using Benchling, ensuring high-quality data integrity for our computational pipelines.
• Continuous Improvement: Collaborate with the team to optimize screening protocols and troubleshoot hardware/assay deviations.

Requirements

• Educational Background: BSc or MSc in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• Technical Foundation: Hands-on experience with microbial and mammalian cell culture, molecular biology (PCR/Cloning), and protein purification.
• Comfortable with software-driven workflows and electronic lab notebooks (Benchling experience is a strong asset).
• Strong organizational skills for managing large sets of clones, samples, and experimental data.
• Strong communication in English, spoken and written.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Analytik Jena or Opentrons).
• Hands-on experience with:

1. UPLC/HPLC systems or other biophysical stability assays.
2. Flow cytometry.
3. Illumina MiSeq sample preparation.

At BIIE, you will be an integral part of a mission to accelerate immunology breakthroughs. This role offers the opportunity to shape how cutting-edge research data is captured and utilized, by building a digital foundation for our labs. You will work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, opportunities for professional development (including Benchling certification programs), and the chance to make a tangible impact on scientific discovery by empowering researchers with effective technology.