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Protein Engineering Scientist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Richmond, VA · On-site

$105K - $132K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

... engineering, technical sales, product management, or process development - preferably in Food, Beverage, Dairy, Protein, Personal Care, or Life Science industries. * Demonstrated ability to lead and ...

Senior Patent Attorney, Video Compression

Reston, VA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. * License to practice before ... Free Food - Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

Senior Patent Attorney, Video Compression

Reston, VA · On-site

$130K - $307K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field * License to practice before a ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

Senior Patent Attorney, Video Compression

Reston, VA · On-site

$130K - $307K/yr

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field * License to practice before a ... Free Food -- Our kitchen is always fully stocked, including lunch, protein bars, fruit, sodas ...

Protein Engineering Scientist information

See Virginia salary details

$40.2K

$97.9K

$155.2K

How much do protein engineering scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for protein engineering scientist in Virginia is $97,912.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,300.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protein engineering scientist?

To thrive as a Protein Engineering Scientist, you need a strong background in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein design, typically demonstrated through an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in a life science field. Experience with techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression and purification, and familiarity with analytical tools like HPLC, mass spectrometry, and relevant bioinformatics software is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top candidates apart. Mastery of these areas is crucial for efficiently designing, optimizing, and characterizing proteins that meet organizational and research goals.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a protein engineering scientist?

As a Protein Engineering Scientist, your daily responsibilities often include designing and executing experiments to modify protein structures, analyzing biochemical data, and troubleshooting experimental results. You’ll regularly use both laboratory techniques and computational tools to optimize protein properties, document your findings, and present data to project teams. Collaboration is a key part of the role, so you’ll frequently interact with colleagues from molecular biology, bioinformatics, and downstream process development groups. This dynamic environment keeps the work intellectually stimulating and offers ongoing opportunities to learn from multidisciplinary teams.

What is a protein engineering scientist?

A Protein Engineering Scientist designs and optimizes proteins for specific applications using techniques like directed evolution and computational modeling. They work in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or academic research to develop enzymes, antibodies, or therapeutic proteins. Their role includes molecular biology, structural analysis, and laboratory experimentation to improve protein function, stability, or specificity.

What are the most commonly searched types of Protein Engineering Scientist jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Protein Engineering Scientist jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Protein Engineering Scientist jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Protein Engineering Scientist jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Protein Engineering Scientist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $97,912 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Lab Specialist

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

208th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Bao Laboratory in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is seeking a Laboratory Specialist to support research in protein design, nanobody development, and structural biology.
The Bao Laboratory is advancing the development of engineered protein binders and nanobodies to dissect and modulate membrane-associated signaling and protein aggregation processes relevant to neurodegeneration and cancer. The new Lab Specialist will be responsible for designing, expressing, and purifying recombinant proteins and nanobodies, as well as assisting with biophysical and structural characterization using techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), X-ray crystallography, and fluorescence spectroscopy.
This position is essential to sustain the technical innovation, reproducibility, and productivity of our multidisciplinary efforts integrating protein engineering, membrane biochemistry, and structural biology.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Education: Bachelor's degree; may accept combination of experience/education/certification in lieu of degree.
  • Experience: 1+ year of relevant lab experience required.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in biological sciences
  • 3+ years of relevant experience in a research laboratory

Physical Demands: This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other benchwork and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.
This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.
This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits .
Compensation: The anticipated hiring range is commensurate with education and experience.
The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.
Application Process:
Please apply online , and search for R0082650. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete an application online with the following documents:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration. This position is open until filled.
References will be completed via UVA's standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three are required.
For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819