Scientist 2

Introduction:

Xencor is a public, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in the Los Angeles area (Pasadena) and in San Diego. Our focus is developing high-potential XmAb® bispecific T-cell engagers and additional engineered drug candidates that leverage our differentiated technology platforms, and we are advancing our pipeline toward clinical proof-of-concept decisions. Our goal is to create high-impact therapeutics for patients with cancer and other serious diseases. More than 20 XmAb drug candidates engineered with our technology are in clinical development, and three XmAb medicines have been marketed by partners. For more information, please visit www.xencor.com. We have an excellent opportunity for a Scientist 2 to join our team.

Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our Antibody Discovery team. This open position is an exciting opportunity to impact the next wave of biologic candidates to enter our pipeline. The successful candidate should have general in vitro antibody display experience with special emphasis on yeast display. The ideal candidate will work to optimize a yeast-display discovery platform and participate in antibody library design and construction. The candidate will collaborate with scientists from different functional groups and conduct in vitro display campaigns to identify novel therapeutic hits and optimize leads against a wide range of targets and diseases. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of technical proficiency and ability to work effectively with a diverse group of researchers in a team environment.

Job Duties Include:

• Perform yeast display-based discovery screens to support new and ongoing therapeutic programs.
• Use NGS, including NGS library generation, QC, sequencing and data analysis, for hit selection.
• Execute display-based lead optimization, including design and building of new display libraries, QC, and screening.
• Stay current with external advancements in relevant scientific fields and techniques.
• Evaluate scientific strategies, review data in real-time and make the necessary experimental adjustments to ensure successful delivery of yeast display discovery campaigns.
• Coordinate research & development efforts with other departments to prioritize critical experiments for advancing discovery programs.
• Participate and presents data in group and departmental meetings as needed.
• Follow all laboratory safety guidelines, practices and protocols.
• Contribute to the design and execution of experiments, analysis, interpretation of data, and reporting and archiving of results.
• Adhere to all department and company-wide policies regarding conduct, performance and procedures.
• May provide direction to direct and indirect reports, as applicable, in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Attend to daily laboratory operations including the maintenance of equipment, inventories, consumables, reagents, and other supplies.
• Performs other duties as required.

Education/Experience/Skills:

Position requires a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field, with at least 3 years of post-graduate laboratory work experience; previous industry experience is preferred. Requires prior experience collaborating on project teams matrixed across functions including contract laboratories and corporate partners and strong research study experience. Requires sound theoretical and experimental experience in a relevant scientific field coupled with technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others and independent thought. Small company and industry work experience preferred.

Position also requires:

• Strong hands-on experience with yeast display, including building naïve and/or immunized libraries.
• Experience with antibody lead optimization, including affinity, potency and developability enhancement.
• Expertise in molecular cloning and utilization of DNA analysis software (Geneious Prime, Sequencher or similar software).
• Experience in NGS technology, including NGS library generation, QC, sequencing and sequence analysis.
• Experience with AI / ML sequence analysis would be helpful.
• Strong understanding of antibody structure, function, and engineering.
• Experience with high throughput screening (96 and 384-well plates) and liquid handling automation is desirable.
• On-site presence with time split between lab (80%) and non-lab activities (20%).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and effectively with scientific colleagues and management by contributing sound scientific concepts, ideas and direction.
• Significant analytical, assessment and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform method development, write protocols, maintain detailed records, and use an electronic notebook are required. Experience with Benchling as an ELN and database is desirable.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret and communicate complex data and information.
• Proficiency in software and data analysis packages like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Spotfire, FloJo and GraphPad Prism.
• Ability to effectively collaborate, coach and mentor others through scientific and technical communication.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, multi-project environment with adaptability to changing priorities and capacity to excel working on a team and individually is required.
• Ability to demonstrate competencies applicable for job based on Xencor’s Leadership Competency Model.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and professional competencies in oral and written communication are required.
• May contribute to authoring of scientific documents as needed.

Additional Requirements for Laboratory and Research Related Jobs

This role may involve work with experimental subjects and/or specimens including infected samples, plus various Hazardous Materials and infectious agents (Bloodborne Pathogens, or other potentially infections materials (OPIMs). Therefore, the following are also required:

• Ability to follow the established Environmental Health & Safety rules, procedures, and/or BioSafety Guidelines
• Ability to read and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)
• Ability to be available and willing to work some weekends and evenings to conduct and complete experiments
• Knowledge of biosafety techniques and aseptic/gowning practices
• Experience with laboratory safety standards and procedures, including biohazard handling and disposal techniques, and the ability to ensure laboratory compliance with required safety regulations
• Experience working with biological and chemical hazards, infectious agents, bloodborne pathogens and animal allergens
• Experience working in and maintaining a sterile environment
• Experience working with chemical, and biological hazards
• Thorough knowledge of the operation and maintenance of various lab equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, balances, pH meters, and electrophoresis equipment, freezers, and incubators.