Senior Research Scientist

Sr. Research Scientist - Wilmington, DE

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster.

As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.

• Independently design and optimize recombinant protein constructs for expression and downstream applications.

• Perform transfection of plasmids into mammalian cells, cell line maintenance, generation of baculovirus, and protein expression in insect (Sf9) and mammalian systems.

• Express recombinant proteins using bacterial expression systems and optimize conditions to maximize yield, solubility, and quality.

• Develop, optimize, and execute protein purification workflows using chromatography techniques including affinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).

• Develop and execute purification strategies for  antibodies, antibody fragments, and antibody-containing complexes.

• Perform antibody purification and QC, including assessment of purity, aggregation, integrity, concentration, and overall sample quality using appropriate analytical methods.

• Characterize purified proteins and antibodies using a broad range of biochemical and biophysical techniques, including analytical SEC/HPLC, SDS-PAGE, intact-mass analysis where applicable, DSF/thermal shift assays, BLI, SPR, and other analytical assays.

• Establish and apply protein and antibody quality-control criteria to ensure samples are suitable for structural studies, binding assays, biochemical assays, immunization campaigns, and other downstream applications.

• Evaluate protein and antibody stability, homogeneity, aggregation state, concentration, and batch-to-batch consistency; identify potential quality issues and implement appropriate corrective strategies.

• Troubleshoot recombinant protein and antibody expression, purification, and stability challenges to improve yield, purity, monodispersity, and functional quality.

• Generate high-quality protein samples and protein complexes for X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, biophysical studies, biochemical assays, and other structural biology applications.

• Support antibody discovery programs by providing purified and well-characterized antibody molecules and complexes for downstream functional and structural characterization.

• Independently plan and execute small- and large-scale expression, purification, and characterization experiments while effectively managing multiple projects and priorities.

• Contribute to the daily operations of a highly productive protein production laboratory, including maintaining equipment, improving workflows, and supporting laboratory development and technology implementation.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data, communicate results clearly, and make data-driven recommendations that can influence program strategy and decision-making.

• Collaborate effectively with protein engineers, structural biologists, assay scientists, computational scientists, and project teams in a highly matrixed environment.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of AI-enabled and technology-driven approaches to accelerate protein production, characterization, structural biology, and drug discovery workflows.

• Maintain accurate experimental records and communicate results through presentations, written reports, and cross-functional project meetings.

• Work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining high scientific and operational standards.

Requirements

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Protein Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Structural Biology, or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience in drug discovery, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, or an academic laboratory.

• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in protein chemistry, recombinant protein expression, purification, and biophysical characterization.

• Experience with purification and characterization of antibodies and/or antibody fragments, including development and optimization of purification workflows and analytical QC.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating protein and antibody purity, homogeneity, aggregation, stability, integrity, and suitability for downstream applications.

• Proficiency with chromatography-based purification techniques, including affinity, ion exchange, and SEC.

• Experience with analytical and biophysical techniques such as SEC-HPLC, DSF/thermal stability assays, BLI, SPR.

• Proven ability to troubleshoot challenging protein expression and purification problems and independently develop effective solutions.

• Proven experience supporting drug discovery programs through protein chemistry.

• Ability to independently manage multiple projects, prioritize competing demands, and deliver high-quality results on established timelines.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and matrixed teams.

• Self-driven, creative, scientifically curious, and entrepreneurial, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving research environment.

Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.

Benefits may include:

• Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
• Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
• Retirement and pension plans
• Life assurance and disability coverage
• Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
• Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request here.

Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply