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Protein Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Computational Protein Designer

San Francisco, CA · 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 ...

Senior AI Protein Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

A well-funded, interdisciplinary medical research institute in Los Angeles is seeking a Senior AI Protein Design Engineer to spearhead a new initiative in de novo therapeutic engineering. This is a ...

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Protein Design information

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 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 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 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 job categories do people searching Protein Design jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Protein Design jobs in California are:

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Scientist, Computational Protein Design

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Adimab, LLC
Biotechnology Research and Development • 51 - 200 employees

$156.80 - $165.76/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Role: Scientist, Computational Protein Design

Adimab is the leading technology provider for therapeutic antibody drug discovery, focusing solely on our partnerships without pursuing an internal product pipeline. Since 2009, we have partnered with over 140 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, generating more than 650 therapeutic programs, of which more than 85 have entered clinical trials.

Role Overview

The role is on Adimab's computational biology team in Mountain View, CA. Data-driven approaches have been central to the development of the Adimab platform, and the team is actively utilizing and developing modern de novo protein design and generative AI methods to extend its capabilities. You will serve as the computational lead for protein design campaigns, embedded within a world-class team of modeling and wet-bench scientists, with direct access to Adimab's industry-leading experimental capabilities to drive the design-build-test cycle.

Responsibilities
  • Take end-to-end ownership of computational protein design campaigns — 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Track developments in computational protein design and ML; evaluate relevance to Adimab's platform and identify opportunities for integration.
  • 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.
Needed Upon Hire
  • PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Computational Biology, or related field.
  • 2–4 years of post-PhD experience specifically in computational protein or binder design.
  • Strong foundation in the analysis of structural and energetic factors driving protein-protein interactions.
  • Proficiency with structure prediction and generative design tools such as RFAntibody, BindCraft, and Protenix. Crystallography or cryo-EM experience is a plus.
  • Strong Python skills and experience building reproducible analysis and modeling pipelines.
  • Proven track record of publication or patent contribution in applied ML for proteins or computational design.

Pay Range: $156,800 - $165,760 base salary and eligibility for 15% bonus

Come join us!

We offer individually tailored compensation packages comprised of a competitive salary, meaningful equity, a 2:1 401(k) match, and comprehensive health care benefits.

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