ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Protein Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arcadia Science

Protein Designer

Emeryville, CA

$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 ...

Arcadia Science

Protein Designer

Emeryville, CA

$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 ...

Amgen

Protein Design Product Owner What you will do Let'sdo this.Let'schange the world.Within Amgen's Research and Development organization, the Therapeutic Protein Design (TPD) team supports the broad ...

Amgen

Protein Design Product Owner What you will do Let'sdo this.Let'schange the world.Within Amgen's Research and Development organization, the Therapeutic Protein Design (TPD) team supports the broad ...

Latent Labs

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 ...

Jj

Director, Protein Sciences

Spring House, PA

The Director, Protein Sciences will integrate target biology insight, computational protein design, cell engineering, and experimental protein sciences to drive the generation of high-quality ...

Jj

Director, Protein Sciences

Cambridge, MA

The Director, Protein Sciences will integrate target biology insight, computational protein design, cell engineering, and experimental protein sciences to drive the generation of high-quality ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProtein Design Jobs

Protein Design information

See salary details

$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do protein design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for protein design in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
More about Protein Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Protein Design jobs? Cities with the most Protein Design job openings:
What states have the most Protein Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Protein Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Protein Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Protein Design jobs are:
Protein Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protein Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,491 per year, or $55 per hour.
Protein Designer

Protein Designer

Arcadia Science

Emeryville, CA

$130K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

A Bit About Us:

We are Arcadia Science, an evolutionary biology company founded and led by scientists. Our mission is to turn natural innovations into real-world solutions by developing systematic and quantitative approaches to leveraging biology for therapeutics R&D. We share our research as openly as possible to accelerate discovery and make our work broadly useful.

The Opportunity:

We’re closing the gap between biological data and biological understanding. 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 Designer to join our Validation team. In this role, the Protein Designer will work cross-functionally to run experimental loops aimed at validating our novel protein design tools. The scientist in this role will work to independently plan protein design projects, apply our tools and their ideas to generate proteins, and evaluate the biological function of the proteins they design both in vitro and in vivo. 

Our ideal candidate should have deep knowledge of proteins and how they function in a cellular context, as well as hands-on experience related to running design–build–test–learn loops. They are energized by evaluating novel biology, skilled at troubleshooting, and thrive in collaborative and open research environments. Enthusiasm and participation in open science is also required as we routinely share our findings via our open-source pubs.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Independently design, plan, and execute projects related to protein design

  • Coordinate and drive design-build-test-learn loops to evaluate protein design tools

  • Experimentally validate novel proteins in the lab (in vitro or in a cellular context)

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with computational and experimental scientists

  • Contribute to the development and improvement of analyses, tools, and methodologies related to protein design and the evaluation of novel proteins

  • Synthesize ideas, data, and findings into fully open-access pubs and engage with the scientific community to maximize impact and garner feedback that improves the work

Qualifications:

  • PhD or equivalent experience in biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, or related field

  • At least 3 years post-PhD or equivalent experience in a related position

  • Deep understanding of protein function in the cell, biology, and structure and how these might be useful for protein design

  • Experience with validation, design-build-test-learn loops, or something similar

  • Familiarity with SOTA protein analysis and design tools (e.g., ESM, Rosetta, etc.)

  • Experience with protein biology, biochemistry, or cell biology to inform protein expression and purification, assay development, experimental design, etc.

  • Experience in at least one programming language and experience with relevant libraries

  • High level of autonomy and critical thinking skills

  • Written and oral communication skills and a willingness to share research openly, early, and often

  • Experience working with cross-functional teams with different working styles and types of expertise

Compensation: 

Successful applicants can expect to be compensated between $130,000-$180,000 with benefits and a highly competitive equity offering, depending on experience level. The position will require the individual to be on-site at our Emeryville, California headquarters. 

Application Process: 

Interested applicants should apply using the link below.

Arcadia is an equal opportunity workplace; we welcome people from all backgrounds and communities. We provide competitive compensation and practical benefits to keep you happy and healthy so that you can do your best work. 

Please note that an offer of employment at Arcadia is contingent upon the successful clearance of a reference and background check.