Head of Protein Sciences
Indianapolis, IN
This role will lead, manage, and support the Helix team, planning and tracking all projects to ensure high-quality work that supports our client’s research. A proven track record in managing people and projects, with a deep understanding of protein construct design, expression, and purification of challenging proteins, as well as biophysical characterization, is essential.
Main Responsibilities
Highly desirable scientific knowledge and hands-on experiences include:
- Protein Production Across Multiple Systems: Extensive experience with protein production in bacterial, insect, mammalian, and yeast cell lines. Expertise in optimizing expression and purification strategies for diverse and challenging proteins.
- Protein Purification: Expertise in a wide range of purification techniques, including chromatography (affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion) and advanced separation methods.
- Biophysical Characterization: Proficiency in biochemical and biophysical characterization techniques such as Mass Photometry, TSA, SPR, BLI, MST, ITC, Mass Spectrometry, SEC-MALS, DLS, CD, and SAXS, with a strong understanding of how these methods inform protein stability, binding, and function.
- Leadership and Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects, teams, and employees effectively, ensuring alignment with business goals and successful project outcomes. Ability to mentor and develop team members, driving both individual and organizational growth.
- Structural Biology (Preferred but Not Required): While experience in protein crystallography and/or cryo-EM is a plus, it is not a strict requirement.
In addition to expertise in protein biochemistry and biophysical characterization, this role will provide a range of experimental strategies to support our clients’ needs. The successful candidate will have a deep scientific understanding and be able to plan and lead multiple projects in parallel. Overall, this role offers the opportunity to significantly impact our gene-to-structure service portfolio and contribute to the growth of Helix Biostructures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Create and manage necessary documents and communicate research priorities, progress, and results to clients, project teams, and upper management.
- Provide the team with project details and priorities, technical and scientific guidance, deliverables, and timelines.
- Oversee project execution, ensuring high-quality deliverables and troubleshooting as needed.
- Manage direct reports and provide mentorship, ensuring the success of both the team and individual projects.
- Ensure clients receive timely updates on project statuses.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, protein engineering, and/or structural biology.
- Industry experience: 3-7 years post-Ph.D. (not including time as an academic postdoc).
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge in people and project management.
- Strong expertise in construct design, expression, and purification strategies using bacterial, insect, mammalian, and yeast cell lines.
- Proficiency in biophysical characterization techniques.
- Strong leadership, written and oral communication skills, and attention to detail.
Additional qualifications
Location Details
This position is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and does NOT offer a hybrid option. Interaction with external service vendors is also expected.
Physical Requirements
- Able to lift 30 lbs objects.
- Able to visualize microscopic objects under microscopes.
Non-standard work schedule, travel, and lab safety
- Able to adhere to safe work practices and perform lab work with appropriate personal protective equipment such as but not limited to safety goggles, facial mask, gloves, lab coat/protective gowning, and closed-toe shoes.
- Able to work flexible hours occasionally when performing time-sensitive experiments.
Other job details
- Eligible for Relocation Support
- Competitive Salary + Bonus
- Competitive Paid Time Off
- Retirement (matching 401K)
- Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
- Company Computer