Protein Engineering Scientist Jobs in Madison, WI

OUR TEAM: Our team of R&D scientists develops and commercializes platform technologies for measuring protein behavior inside living cells. A major focus of our work over the last decade has been pairing CRISPR genome editing with bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter tags to track the dynamics of endogenously expressed proteins in their native cellular context. The resulting technologies, like the HiBiT luminescent tag, are now used widely across academic and pharma/biotech research. We work at the intersection of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, protein engineering, and chemistry to solve real problems in biological measurement.
YOUR ROLE: As a Senior Research Scientist on our team, you will develop and apply new assay technologies to advance biological research, working across every stage of the product lifecycle: identifying promising new product concepts and running early proof-of-concept experiments, optimizing those concepts and verifying they solve a real customer need, partnering with groups outside R&D to manufacture and launch the resulting products, and supporting them afterward through customer collaborations, manuscripts, and conference presentations. You will collaborate closely with colleagues on the team and across R&D, drawing on diverse expertise to solve hard problems, while also having the independence to shape and drive projects of your own that bring important new assay formats to the wider scientific community.
JOB OBJECTIVE: Develop new and innovative products and technologies for cellular and biochemical analysis. Act as the technical lead to create and commercialize new products. Be involved in the scientific leadership of the company, i.e., management, mentoring, consensus building, and/or acting as technical expert in multiple areas of specialization. Apply scientific leadership to individual R&D projects. Execute and champion innovative research. Formulate an overall project strategy for experimental design in the context of experimental results and scientific literature.
CORE DUTIES:
1. Become recognized as a scientific expert in bioluminescent and fluorescent reporter tag technologies (e.g., NanoLuc, HiBiT, NanoBiT, HaloTag), CRISPR-based endogenous tagging, and quantitative cell-based assay design, including assay formats suited to downstream computational and AI-driven analysis; provide scientific leadership in these areas.
2. Independently develop project plans and manage timelines across the full product-development continuum, from proof-of-concept experiments through optimization, validation, and commercialization.
3. Work at bench performing cell-based and biochemical assays, e.g., microscopy, flow cytometry, bioluminescence/fluorescence detection.
4. Suggest novel and innovative approaches for extending reporter tag technologies to new applications and biological questions.
5. Direct others on a designated project, including junior scientists or associates, and coordinate with cross-functional teams (manufacturing, product management) as products move toward commercialization.
6. Engage with customers and external collaborators to evaluate new technologies for unmet needs and translate feedback into development priorities.
7. Be a primary author for internal technical literature, abstracts, patents, or journal articles.
8. Contribute to preparation or evaluation of patents.
9. Communicate problems, ideas, and suggestions to appropriate person or group.
10. Demonstrate inclusion through your own words and actions and be accountable for a safe workspace. Act with kindness, curiosity and respect for others.
11. Embrace and be open to incorporating Promega's 6 Emotional & Social Intelligence (ESI) core principles in daily work.
12. Understand and comply with ethical, legal and regulatory requirements applicable to our business.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
1. BS degree in a scientific discipline with 12+ years post graduate experience.
2. MS degree in a scientific discipline with 6+ years post graduate experience.
OR
3. PhD degree in a scientific discipline with 0-3 years post graduate experience preferably in an industrial research and/or development environment.
4. Expertise in mammalian cell culture and cell-based assay development.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, shift gears as needed and maintain keen attention to detail.
6. Takes responsibility and ownership for own tasks, decisions, and outcomes.
7. Demonstrated proficiency in digital tools and technology, including Microsoft applications and mobile platforms, with the ability to adapt and leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to improve efficiency, automation, and collaboration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Extensive hands-on mammalian cell culture experience, including transient and stable transfection and isolation and validation of clonal cell lines.
2. Experience with CRISPR-based genome editing and/or characterization of CRISPR-edited cell lines.
3. Experience with fluorescence microscopy in live and fixed cells.
4. Experience with flow cytometry, including cell sorting (FACS).
5. A strong understanding of biochemistry, especially enzymology and protein-protein interactions.
6. Familiarity with existing computational or AI/ML-based software tools for analyzing and interpreting complex biological and biochemical data sets.
7. Demonstrated ability to independently carry a project from concept to defined technical milestones with minimal oversight.
8. A track record of scientific publication and external presentations.
9. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work productively across multi-functional teams.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
1. Ability to work at lab bench or fume hood for extended period.
2. Ability to wear protection gear (gloves, lab coat, safety glasses, etc.).
3. Ability to operate a computer.
At Promega, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive workplace. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.