Senior Director Protein Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kodiak Sciences Inc. is a fast-growing, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming ophthalmology through innovative therapeutics. Our Antibody Biopolymer Conjugate Drug (ABCD) platform combines protein engineering, polymer chemistry, small molecule drug discovery, bioconjugation, and drug delivery to address high-prevalence ophthalmic diseases.

We are seeking a motivated and independent Protein Production Scientist/Sr. Scientist to join our Discovery Medicine group as part of the Protein Engineering team. The successful candidate will be an outstanding scientist with demonstrated expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification and will play a central role in advancing our discovery and research programs. This individual will excel at developing and executing robust protein production strategies, delivering high-quality recombinant proteins that enable antibody engineering, biochemical characterization, and functional evaluation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative therapeutics within a collaborative, fast-paced, and interdisciplinary research environment.

Responsibilities 

• Design, execute, and optimize recombinant protein expression workflows for a broad range of recombinant protein targets, including antibodies, therapeutic proteins, enzymes, and research reagents, using transient mammalian expression systems (e.g., HEK293, CHO) and bacterial expression platforms.
• Develop, optimize, and execute purification processes for diverse recombinant proteins using affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion, and other chromatographic techniques.
• Purify protein conjugates, including protein-polymer and protein-drug conjugates, by applying established methodologies and developing innovative purification strategies to address complex molecular formats.
• Perform biochemical and biophysical characterization of recombinant proteins using SDS-PAGE, SEC, DLS, mass photometry, isoelectric focusing (IEF), and complementary analytical techniques to evaluate protein quality, purity, identity, aggregation, stability, and other critical quality attributes.
• Maintain, optimize, and troubleshoot mammalian cell culture and recombinant protein production processes to ensure robust, reproducible expression and high-quality protein yields.
• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate protein production activities across multiple research programs to meet project objectives and timelines.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, prepare technical reports, and present scientific findings and recommendations to cross-functional project teams.
• Maintain comprehensive laboratory notebooks, experimental records, and protein inventory databases to ensure data integrity, traceability, regulatory compliance, and efficient sample management.
• Independently manage laboratory operations, maintain equipment and reagent inventories, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance protein production, purification, and analytical workflows.

Education & Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Protein Science, or a related discipline with 0-5 years of relevant postdoctoral and/or industry experience; or M.S. or B.S. in related discipline with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in recombinant protein expression using transient mammalian expression systems (e.g., HEK293, CHO); experience with bacterial expression systems is preferred.
• Extensive hands-on experience in the purification of antibodies and diverse recombinant proteins using affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion, and other chromatographic techniques in both column- and batch-based formats.
• Proficiency in operating, optimizing and troubleshooting protein purification platforms, including ÄKTA FPLC systems; experience with KingFisher or other automated purification platforms is highly desirable.
• Strong foundation in protein biochemistry and hands-on experience with biochemical and biophysical characterization techniques, including SDS-PAGE, SEC, DLS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, mass photometry, isoelectric focusing (IEF), and related analytical methods.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, optimize, troubleshoot, and interpret recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization experiments.
• Proven ability to optimize protein production workflows and implement innovative approaches to improve productivity, protein quality, and throughput.
• Excellent organization skills, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to maintaining accurate experimental records and documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and communicate scientific findings across multidisciplinary research teams.