1

Protein Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Protein Designer

Emeryville, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Our Validation team does this by closing the design-build-test-learn loop through lab validation across diverse organisms. Read more about our work through our publications. We are seeking a Protein ...

Protein Designer

Emeryville, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $180K/yr

Our Validation team does this by closing the design-build-test-learn loop through lab validation across diverse organisms. Read more about our work through our publications. We are seeking a Protein ...

Computational Protein Designer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$24.25 - $29.50/hr

Computational Protein Designer The opportunity We are seeking a Computational Protein Design Scientist to join our team working at the interface of generative AI and synthetic biology. Working ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Protein Design information

What is the difference between Protein Design vs Protein Engineering?

AspectProtein DesignProtein Engineering
Required CredentialsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, BioinformaticsBiochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, biotech companies, academiaResearch labs, biotech companies, academia
Industry UsageDesigning novel proteins, drug development, synthetic biologyModifying existing proteins for improved function or stability

Protein Design focuses on creating new proteins with specific functions, often using computational methods. Protein Engineering involves modifying existing proteins to enhance or alter their properties. Both roles require similar skills and are used in research, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, but their goals differ: one designs from scratch, the other optimizes existing proteins.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals in protein design, and how are they addressed within a team setting?

Professionals in protein design often encounter challenges such as predicting accurate protein folding, ensuring stability, and achieving desired biological activity. These complexities are typically addressed through close collaboration with computational biologists, structural biologists, and experimental scientists. Teams frequently hold cross-functional meetings to troubleshoot issues, share findings, and iterate on design strategies based on laboratory results. This collaborative environment helps leverage diverse expertise and accelerates the development of novel proteins with desired functions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Protein Design Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protein Design Scientist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and computational modeling, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Proficiency with tools such as Rosetta, PyMOL, and molecular dynamics simulation software, as well as experience with protein expression and purification techniques, is essential. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are important soft skills to drive innovation and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for designing functional proteins, troubleshooting experiments, and advancing research goals in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

What is protein design?

Protein design is the process of creating new proteins or modifying existing ones to have specific functions or properties. This can involve using computational tools, laboratory techniques, or a combination of both to predict and engineer amino acid sequences that will fold into desired three-dimensional structures. Protein design is used in various fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and research, to develop novel enzymes, therapeutics, or materials. The field requires a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, and computer science to achieve successful outcomes.
What cities in California are hiring for Protein Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Protein Design job openings:
Infographic showing various Protein Design job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution.
Scientist, Computational Protein Design

Scientist, Computational Protein Design

Adimab

Mountain View, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Adimab is the leading technology provider for therapeutic antibody drug discovery, focusing solely on partnerships without pursuing an internal product pipeline. The Scientist, Computational Protein Design will lead protein design campaigns, collaborating with wet-lab teams and utilizing modern AI methods to enhance the design-build-test cycle.
Responsibilities:
โ€ข Take end-to-end ownership of computational protein design campaigns โ€” from design generation through wet-lab collaboration, analysis of experimental data, and optimization of the design-build-test cycle. Applications span de novo epitope-targeted IgG, VHH, and minibinder design, as well as protein solubilization and stabilization.
โ€ข Partner with wet-lab teams to design experiments that generate custom training data for affinity, epitope, and specificity prediction models. Train and rigorously benchmark resulting models against internal and external baselines.
โ€ข Build and maintain the computational infrastructure supporting both protein design campaigns and model development, including reproducible pipelines and integration of computational outputs with wet-lab data.
โ€ข Track developments in computational protein design and ML; evaluate relevance to Adimab's platform and identify opportunities for integration.
โ€ข Serve as a resource for wet-lab scientists on AI/ML capabilities and best practices, helping antibody and protein engineering teams apply computational design methods.
Qualifications:
Required:
โ€ข PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field.
โ€ข 2โ€“4 years of post-PhD experience specifically in computational protein or binder design.
โ€ข Strong foundation in the analysis of structural and energetic factors driving protein-protein interactions.
โ€ข Proficiency with structure prediction and generative design tools such as RFAntibody, BindCraft, and Protenix.
โ€ข Strong Python skills and experience building reproducible analysis and modeling pipelines.
โ€ข Proven track record of publication or patent contribution in applied ML for proteins or computational design.
Preferred:
โ€ข Crystallography or cryo-EM experience is a plus.
Company:
Adimab is an antibody discovery and optimization platform, developing full-length human Immunoglobulin Gs. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in Lebanon, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.