SwiftScale Biologics uses our cell-free protein synthesis platform to enable (1) fast protein therapeutic development through to clinical batches and (2) synthesis of proteins that are very difficult to express in cells. Our mission is to use our platform technology to enable our partners to advance dozens of novel therapeutics to the clinic where they can improve the lives of thousands of patients. Building from the work of Prof. Matthew DeLisa (Cornell University) and Prof. Michael Jewett (Northwestern University), our cell-free platform provides a unique opportunity to produce glycoproteins in vitro, enabling a variety of exciting applications.

In this position, you will help expand the applications of cell-free technology in the biopharmaceutical industry by developing methods to produce proteins with defined and novel glycosylation structures (glycoengineering). We are looking for someone to lead and execute research projects to develop in vitro glycosylation pathways, engineer new cell-free chassis strains through cellular protein synthesis and glycosylation pathway optimization, test new cell-free glycoprotein synthesis conditions, and scale glycosylation processes from the bench towards quantities required for clinical trials. The work will involve glycoprotein purification and characterization using electrophoresis, Western/Lectin Blotting, liquid-chromatography, mass spectrometry, and ELISA binding evaluation. By working with our platform development team work you will play a key role in unlocking previously inaccessible glycoforms for therapeutic use, enabling the production of more homogeneous glycoproteins with better safety profiles, and acerating glycoprotein manufacturing.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Employ synthetic biology-based DNA design to build and express novel protein glycosylation pathways in E. coli.
• Design and perform cell-free glycoprotein synthesis reactions to develop improved methods to produce glycoproteins in vitro.
• Develop improved chassis strains for cell-free glycoprotein synthesis using metabolic engineering methods.
• Develop and execute methods to characterize protein glycosylation structures using Western/Lectin Blotting, liquid-chromatography, mass spectrometry, and ELISA.
• Perform experiments to screen, characterize, and produce preparative amounts of glycoprotein therapeutic candidates.
• Cell-free protein expression and preparation/validation of associated materials.
• Protein purification at scales from magnetic beads to AKTA Explorer/AKTA Pilot.
• PCR, protein and DNA electrophoresis, Western blotting, expression, cell culture (bacterial)
• Interpreting and presenting experimental data to colleagues and company leadership.
• Work with our platform development team to broadly improve and build upon our cell-free synthesis, purification, and characterization platform to deliver new classes of proteins, expand throughput, and increase speed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• [Required] Direct experience in molecular cloning, protein expression, purification, and characterization of glycoproteins.
• [Required] BS (+6 years experience), MS (+3 years experience), or PhD in Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Human Biology, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or related fields.
• [Highly Preferred] Experience with developing and executing analytical methods, particularly LC-MS, for protein or glycoprotein characterization.
• [Preferred] Direct experience with synthetic biology and high-throughput workflows.
• [Preferred] In-depth knowledge of glycosylation pathways and engineering strategies to achieve homogeneous or unique glycosylation patterns.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, compile, and present experimental data.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced small company environment with a drive to creatively solve problems around how to speed up protein therapeutic development and experimental workflows.
• High intrinsic motivation and a desire to learn new techniques.
• Availability to work full-time hours at our Oakland, CA location.

Our work environment is focused on treating everyone on our team with respect, fostering a collaborative environment, taking ownership of our work, learning new skills, and having fun.

We offer growth opportunities and very competitive salaries/benefits.