Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery

Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery for a direct hire opportunity with a leading therapeutic antibody discovery and development company in Mountain View, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology and medical device industries.
Workplace: Onsite in Mountain View, CA
Position Title: Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Antibody Discovery
Position Type: Direct hire
Base salary range:

•  Research Associate (MS + 2 years / BS + 3–5 years): $90,000 – $110,000 per year.  
• Senior Research Associate (BS + 5+ years / MS + 4+ years): $110,000 – $135,000 per year. 

Overview
Our client is a Series A–funded biotechnology company developing advanced antibody discovery and development technologies to enable new medicines for challenging therapeutic targets. Based in Mountain View, California, the company combines a proprietary transgenic mouse platform with an experienced scientific team to accelerate the identification of diverse, high-quality, and developable antibody candidates.
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate or Senior Research Associate to join the Antibody Discovery team. In this hands-on role, you will support antibody discovery campaigns from immunized mice through antibody screening and characterization. You will work across hybridoma and single B-cell technologies, contribute to programs spanning a range of targets, and help advance promising candidates toward therapeutic development.
This is an excellent opportunity for a thoughtful, technically skilled scientist who enjoys working in a collaborative startup environment and wants to make a direct contribution to the development of novel antibody medicines.
Key Responsibilities

• Execute antibody discovery campaigns using hybridoma and/or single B-cell technologies.
• Evaluate serum antibody titers and process lymphoid tissues from immunized mice.
• Perform electrofusion, hybridoma generation, subcloning, and related antibody discovery workflows.
• Screen and characterize antibodies for binding and functional activity using:
  • ELISA and quantitative binding assays
  • Flow cytometry
  • Biochemical assays
  • Cell-based functional assays
• Maintain, expand, cryopreserve, and clone mammalian cell lines.
• Support the development and implementation of efficient, scalable, and high-throughput discovery workflows.
• Evaluate new technologies, automation opportunities, and process improvements to increase the speed, quality, and reproducibility of antibody discovery.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, sample tracking, and data documentation.
• Analyze and communicate results, provide regular project updates, and collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organization.
• Contribute to a culture of scientific rigor, accountability, curiosity, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Research Associate: Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, cell biology, or a related discipline, with approximately 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Senior Research Associate: Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline with approximately 2+ years of relevant industry experience, or equivalent experience and demonstrated accomplishments.
• Hands-on experience with antibody discovery using hybridoma technology and/or single B-cell approaches is required.
• Practical experience with mammalian cell culture, cell-line maintenance, transfection, and functional cell-based assays.
• Experience evaluating protein–protein interactions using techniques such as quantitative ELISA and flow cytometry.
• Experience with antibody screening, characterization, or developability-relevant assays is highly desirable.
• Experience developing or implementing automated and/or high-throughput assays is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques is beneficial.
• Experience with small-animal handling and mouse tissue processing is helpful but not required.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and deliver high-quality results with limited supervision.
• Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and time-management skills.
• High attention to detail and a proactive, collaborative approach.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced biotechnology startup where priorities may evolve.

Why Join?
You will join a growing biotechnology company where your work can directly influence the discovery of new therapeutic antibodies. The company offers the opportunity to:

• Work with cutting-edge antibody discovery technologies and challenging therapeutic targets.
• Gain broad exposure to discovery research, assay development, technology advancement, and drug development.
• Collaborate closely with experienced scientists and cross-functional colleagues.
• Make meaningful contributions in a highly interactive, entrepreneurial environment.
• Help shape the company’s scientific capabilities, workflows, and culture as the organization grows.

The company offers a competitive total compensation package, including:

• Competitive base salary
• Stock options
• Annual performance bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive benefits
• Paid time off
• Two company-wide shutdowns each year, during the summer and winter
• Professional development opportunities