1

Bioconjugation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Scientist, Antibody Conjugation

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Develop and optimize antibody bioconjugation methods for attaching degrader payloads and linkers to antibodies. * Design conjugation chemistry with an eye toward automation: define protocols, reagent ...

Senior Scientist, Antibody Conjugation

Brisbane, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Develop and optimize antibody bioconjugation methods for attaching degrader payloads and linkers to antibodies. * Design conjugation chemistry with an eye toward automation: define protocols, reagent ...

Staff Scientist, Chemistry

Foster City, CA · On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

You will be responsible for developing novel chemistries, bioconjugation methods, materials immobilization strategies, and characterizing materials or biomaterials. You will work closely with the ...

Synthetic Chemist II

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$38 - $42/hr

Design, validate and implement synthesis projects in organic synthesis, peptide synthesis, bioconjugation, purification and characterization of compounds of interest. * Maintain accurate record ...

$38 - $42/hr

Design, validate and implement synthesis projects in organic synthesis, peptide synthesis, bioconjugation, purification and characterization of compounds of interest. * Maintain accurate record ...

Staff Scientist, Chemistry

Foster City, CA · On-site

$140K - $200K/yr

Develop novel chemistries or bioconjugation strategies for Cellanome's consumable product line. * Develop strategies for immobilization or encapsulation of key reagents on surfaces or in particles.

Showing results 21-40

Bioconjugation information

See California salary details

$30

$60

$91

How much do bioconjugation jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for bioconjugation in California is $60.61, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41.97 and $72.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is bioconjugation?

Bioconjugation is the process of chemically linking two molecules, at least one of which is a biological molecule such as a protein, peptide, or antibody. This technique is commonly used to attach drugs, fluorescent dyes, or other markers to biomolecules for research, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Bioconjugation plays a crucial role in developing targeted drug delivery systems, biosensors, and imaging agents. The process requires careful selection of conjugation chemistries to preserve the function of the biomolecules involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a bioconjugation scientist role, and why are they important?

To thrive as a bioconjugation scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry or biochemistry, experience with protein modification techniques, and typically a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with analytical tools like HPLC, mass spectrometry, and knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) or GMP guidelines is common, along with experience using laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating across research teams and troubleshooting experimental challenges. These competencies ensure the efficient development of high-quality bioconjugates for applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, or research.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in bioconjugation, and how can they be addressed?

One common challenge in bioconjugation roles is ensuring the specificity and stability of the conjugates produced, as improper coupling can affect the efficacy and safety of the final product. Additionally, troubleshooting complex reactions and optimizing protocols for scale-up requires strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with analytical techniques. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams such as analytical chemistry, process development, and quality assurance is vital to overcoming these obstacles and ensuring project success. Staying updated with the latest advances in conjugation chemistries and regulatory requirements also helps professionals adapt to the evolving landscape.

What is the difference between Bioconjugation vs Protein Conjugation?

AspectBioconjugationProtein Conjugation
Required CredentialsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology certificationsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, biotech companiesLaboratories, biotech companies
Industry UsageDrug development, diagnostics, researchDrug development, diagnostics, research
Common Search IntentUnderstanding bioconjugation techniquesUnderstanding protein conjugation methods

Bioconjugation involves attaching biomolecules like drugs, antibodies, or peptides to other molecules for various applications. Protein conjugation specifically focuses on linking proteins to other molecules, often as part of bioconjugation processes. While both roles require similar skills and work environments, bioconjugation covers a broader range of biomolecules, whereas protein conjugation is specialized in working with proteins. Understanding these differences helps professionals and employers target the right expertise for biotech projects.

What job categories do people searching Bioconjugation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Bioconjugation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Bioconjugation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Bioconjugation job openings:

Infographic showing various Bioconjugation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,072 per year, or $60.6 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Antibody Conjugation

Nurix

Brisbane, CA • On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Senior Scientist, Antibody ConjugationAbout the Role

We are growing the team with a hands-on antibody conjugation scientist who will build this capability from the ground up by developing and validating bioconjugation chemistries that are reproducible at bench scale, sufficiently robust for transfer to automated higher-throughput synthesis workflows, and scalable for preparation campaigns supporting advanced in vivo and translational studies.

This is a lab-based role for someone who wants to build a new technical capability inside an established, highly collaborative discovery organization and partner closely with medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, computational chemistry, protein biochemistry, and automation to move candidates from bench to study-ready material.

What You'll Do
  • Develop and optimize antibody bioconjugation methods for attaching degrader payloads and linkers to antibodies.
  • Design conjugation chemistry with an eye toward automation: define protocols, reagent ratios, and process parameters in a form that can be transferred to and run reliably on liquid-handling platforms.
  • Execute one-off and scale-up conjugation runs (mg to multi-mg) to produce material for pharmacology, PK/PD, and other advanced studies on program timelines.
  • Purify conjugates via FPLC/AKTA, TFF, and column chromatography; troubleshoot yield, homogeneity, and stability issues as they arise.
  • Write clear SOPs and technical reports; train and support automation-team colleagues in executing conjugation workflows independently.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with medicinal chemists (linker/payload design), computational chemists (site selection, modeling), and external CROs/CDMOs as needed.
  • Stay current on emerging bioconjugation and DAC/ADC methodology and bring forward new techniques relevant to Nurix's pipeline.
Who You Are
  • A team player who works well across disciplines (chemistry, analytical, protein biochemistry, automation/engineering) and communicates clearly with both scientists and technical staff.
  • Results-oriented: you drive a method from first attempt to a robust, transferable protocol, and you personally deliver material when a study needs it.
  • Comfortable owning a technical area with real autonomy in a growing capability area.
Qualifications
  • PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, or a related field preferred; MS or BS with substantial (8+ for BS/MS) hands-on industry bioconjugation experience will also be considered.
  • Direct, hands-on experience with antibody/protein bioconjugation chemistry: NHS ester and maleimide coupling, click chemistry (CuAAC/SPAAC/IEDDA), engineered-cysteine or glycan/enzymatic site-specific conjugation, or unnatural-amino-acid approaches.
  • Experience purifying and characterizing conjugates: FPLC/AKTA, TFF, SEC, IEX, RP-HPLC/UPLC, HIC, and LC-MS-based DAR/identity analysis.
  • Experience preparing protocols for automated or semi-automated execution (e.g., liquid handlers such as Hamilton or Tecan) is a strong plus, though the successful candidate may also learn this in partnership with our automation team.
  • Strong record of practical problem-solving in the lab, with the judgment to know when a result is study-ready versus needs more optimization
Why This Role

You'll be the founding technical expert for antibody conjugation at Nurix, shaping both the science and how it's automated and scaled - with direct visibility to program leadership and a fast path from method development to real studies

Salary Range:  $174,900 - $185,200 plus bonus and equity

Fit with Nurix Culture and Values

  • Strong team orientation; highly collaborative
  • Solutions and results-oriented focus
  • Hands-on approach; resourceful and open to diverse points of view

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer offering a competitive salary and benefits package. Applicants should be legally entitled to work for any employer in the US.