Senior Associate - Protein Chemistry

Sr. Associate - Protein Chemistry

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Onsite Flexibility: Onsite

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Pay Rate: $23.00 $26.00 / Hour (USD)
• Shift / Schedule: Monday Friday, approximately 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary

The client is seeking a highly motivated Associate Scientist to join the Protein Therapeutics (PT) Protein Chemistry team. PT is a multidisciplinary team with broad capabilities in protein engineering, expression, purification, and characterization. The team is responsible for the engineering, production, assessment, and final selection of large-molecule drug candidates that advance to Process Development. In this role, you will support the analysis and characterization of large-molecule therapeutic drug candidates, many of which are complex biologics.

There are two Associate Scientist profiles being sourced under the same title: (1) a Protein Analytics-focused Associate Scientist and (2) a Protein Purification-focused Associate Scientist. The manager is flexible on the distribution of hires for example, 6 analytics and 2 purification candidates would be acceptable as long as all hires fit one of the two profiles and have the appropriate protein chemistry background.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyzing and characterizing complex molecules that will be the next generation of large-molecule therapeutics
• Contributing to the execution of analytics, molecular assessment, and protein purification capabilities
• Organizing, analyzing, and reporting findings to support lead candidate selection
• Partnering with Project, Analytics, and Automation teams to advance the pipeline
• Operate and troubleshoot automation platforms for high-throughput purification and analytics
• Perform protein analytics using a variety of techniques and instrumentation
• Contribute to the development of new processes and methods
• Capture experimental data in LIMS/ELN systems
• Summarize and report results and findings to work group and project teams

Analytics Profile Key Responsibilities & Skills

• Hands-on analytical characterization of proteins: SDS-PAGE, Western blot, UPLC/HPLC purity assessment, binding assays (e.g., ELISA, SPR/BLI), and related bioassays
• Experience with LC-MS techniques for intact mass, peptide mapping, and PTM/glycosylation profiling is a strong plus
• Data analysis and documentation in ELNs/SOPs; ability to support multiple projects and cross-functional teams

Purification Profile Key Responsibilities & Skills

• Recombinant protein purification using established protocols and chromatography systems (AKTA FPLC, Agilent HPLC)
• Multi-step purification workflows: affinity (ProA), ion exchange (CEX/AEX), size exclusion (SEC), HIC, IMAC, mixed modes; Hamilton automation experience is a plus
• Supporting target protein QC testing, labeling, and basic biophysical characterization; familiarity with analytical HPLC methods is valuable

Required Skills

• Experience with protein purification and analytics, techniques, instrumentation, and software
• Familiarity with protein analytical techniques (HPLC, MCE, etc.) and analysis software (Chromeleon, LabChip, etc.)
• Demonstrated strong communication skills, ability to multi-task, and ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment
• Experience with handling and analyzing large datasets
• Ability to multi-task, work flexibly and efficiently in a cross-functional environment
• Demonstrated track record of independent critical thinking and creative problem-solving

Analytics Profile Key Skills

• HPLC
• PLC
• FPLC
• Gel-based protein analysis / running gels
• Western blot
• MCE or similar protein characterization techniques
• Protein purification experience is beneficial for analytics candidates, though the primary emphasis is protein analytics

Purification Profile Key Skills

• Hands-on protein purification experience within a laboratory environment
• Relevant protein chemistry and analytical experience
• Demonstrated understanding of protein purification processes and the underlying science

Preferred Skills

• Experience with protein analytics, particularly biologic molecules
• Demonstrated experience with protein analytical techniques (HPLC, MCE, etc.) and analysis software (Chromeleon, LabChip, etc.)
• Knowledge of high-throughput purification and analytical techniques is a plus
• LC-MS techniques for intact mass, peptide mapping, and PTM/glycosylation profiling (strong plus for analytics profile)
• Hamilton automation experience is a plus (purification profile)

Education Requirements

• Master's degree in life sciences
• OR Bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant scientific experience
• OR Associate's degree and 4 years of experience
• OR High school diploma / GED and 6 years of experience
• Ideal academic background: BS/MS in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biology, or related field

Required Experience

• 1 4 years of hands-on academic or industry laboratory experience with protein analytics workflows (Analytics profile)
• 1 4 years of hands-on protein purification experience in academic or industry settings (Purification profile)
• Academic/postdoc lab experience is explicitly acceptable and expected; research projects, thesis work, and core facility experience are valued where industry tenure is limited

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-14263

#LI-Onsite #gttic