Hlx Life Sciences
Scientific Lead, Antibody & Biologics
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Scientific Lead – Antibody & Biologics Programmes
Contract | ASAP Start | Hybrid / Office-based 2–3 days per week
We’re partnering with an innovative biotechnology group developing a portfolio of early-stage therapeutic programmes, several of which are expected to form the basis of future spin-out companies.
They are now looking for a Scientific Lead – Antibody & Biologics Programmes to support an immediate discovery programme focused on determining the biological rationale for combining two independently clinically validated monoclonal-antibody approaches into a single molecule.
This is a highly scientific, hypothesis-driven position. The successful individual will help establish the “reason to believe” behind the programme: understanding the underlying biology, identifying the most important scientific questions, designing the experiments required to answer them and interpreting the resulting data.
The emphasis is on scientific judgement and experimental execution rather than project management.
Key Responsibilities
- Assess the biological rationale for combining two antibody mechanisms within a single therapeutic molecule
- Identify the key scientific questions that need to be answered before the programme can progress
- Translate biological hypotheses into robust experimental strategies
- Select and design appropriate functional and mechanistic assays
- Investigate whether the combination produces additive or synergistic biological activity
- Generate and interpret decision-useful experimental evidence
- Evaluate data objectively, including evidence that may challenge the programme hypothesis
- Help build a coherent scientific rationale supporting future programme and investment decisions
- Independently own significant scientific workstreams and drive them forward
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Essential Experience
- PhD-level scientific training
- Strong fundamental understanding of biology
- Direct experience working with antibodies, monoclonal antibodies or large-molecule biologics
- Strong understanding of target biology and mechanism of action
- Experience selecting, developing or designing biologically relevant assays
- Ability to translate scientific hypotheses into testable experiments
- Strong experimental judgement and data interpretation skills
Direct antibody/large-biologics experience is essential; experience focused solely on cell or gene therapy would not, by itself, meet the requirement.
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Desirable Experience
- Previous ownership of an antibody or biologics discovery programme
- Functional or cell-based assay development
- Target validation
- Mechanism-of-action studies
- Work with primary or human cellular models
- Experience supporting candidate or programme progression decisions
- Experience independently leading a scientific project or workstream
- Previous biotech or entrepreneurial drug-discovery experience
Leadership experience would be advantageous, but the priority is strong biology and the ability to make good experimental decisions, rather than a specific level of people management.
The Opportunity
The initial engagement will be on a contract basis, with an ASAP start and an expectation of regular office presence — at least two days per week, ideally three.
There may also be longer-term potential for a successful individual to become involved with a future spin-out in a senior scientific capacity, although any future role or equity participation would be subject to separate discussion.
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