Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Protein… at Zealand Pharma · Cambridge

Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Protein Purification

Location: Cambridge

Does it excite you to be the go-to purification expert delivering high-purity samples for cutting-edge structural biology and mass spec studies? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to bring deep purification expertise to a new discovery organization, then you could be our new colleague.

Your new position
As a Scientist or Senior Scientist in Protein Purification and Analysis, you will play an important scientific role supporting discovery programs, with a primary emphasis on high-quality purification of protein-based therapeutics and their bioconjugates. You will work hands-on with a broad range of modern protein purification technologies, with complementary analytical characterization, at the inception of our new Cambridge, MA research center. This role suits a scientist with deep, hands-on expertise in protein and bioconjugate purification, scientific curiosity, and a desire to grow in scope and responsibility.

We offer exciting responsibilities:

• Serve as a primary supplier of high-purity protein and bioconjugate samples formatted to meet the requirements of downstream mass spectrometry (e.g., native MS, HDX-MS) and structural biology methods (e.g., cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography)
• Execute and support purification of recombinant proteins, peptides, and their bioconjugates (e.g., ADCs, AOCs) to support discovery programs from early research through lead-series selection
• Apply a broad range of purification techniques, including SEC, IEX, affinity, RP-HPLC, and CE-based methods, at analytical and preparative scales
• Support purification and characterization of challenging targets and formats, such as membrane proteins (e.g., GPCRs), in vitro-reconstituted target complexes, and peptide-Fc or lipidated conjugates
• Support analytical characterization to confirm identity, purity, concentration, and stability using mass spectrometry, chromatographic, biophysical, and flow cytometry-based methods
• Contribute to the development and optimization of automated and high-throughput purification workflows, improving speed, reproducibility, and data quality

Your profile
You bring deep, hands-on purification expertise and scientific curiosity, with a strong conceptual understanding of protein biophysics and stability principles. You thrive in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment and are motivated to help shape purification workflows and a new research center from an early stage. You communicate scientific data, methods, and assumptions clearly and work effectively across cross-functional project teams.

• PhD in Analytical Chemistry, Protein Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field preferred (postdoctoral training preferred); candidates with a BS/MS and significantly more relevant industry experience will also be considered
• 2+ years of relevant post-degree experience in protein purification (Scientist); 4+ years (Senior Scientist)
• Deep, hands-on expertise in protein and peptide purification, including SEC, IEX, affinity, RP-HPLC, and CE-based methods, at analytical and preparative scales
• Experience with complex molecular formats such as ADCs, AOCs, or other bioconjugates strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience with AKTA chromatography systems (e.g., AKTA pure, AKTA avant) is desired
• Working knowledge of analytical characterization techniques, including mass spectrometry, biophysical methods (e.g., DLS, MALS, SPR, BLI, DSF), and flow cytometry, sufficient to collaborate effectively with analytical specialists

Your new team
You will join Molecular Platform Development, a new organization created to strengthen and advance diverse drug modality capabilities in metabolic disease, based at our new Cambridge, MA research center. The site is a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary discovery hub integrating computational research, chemistry, and biology, and is deeply connected to the Greater Boston life sciences ecosystem.

Let's bond and be bold
We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.

Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us and let's bond and be bold.

Salary Range: $125,000 - $170,000

Interested in bonding with us? The applications will be reviewed as they come in. While a cover letter is not required, please include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.

About Zealand Pharma A/S
Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced data-driven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma-invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.