Senior Research Associate – Molecular Biology and Antibody Discovery

Want to contribute to meaningful scientific innovation within a fast-growing biotech company? 

KisoJi Biotech may have the opportunity for you.

We are currently looking for a Senior Research Associate to join our growing Molecular Biology team. This individual contributor role is ideal for someone who is motivated by innovation, collaboration and the opportunity to contribute their molecular biology skills to the advancement of biotechnology in a dynamic and evolving environment.

At KisoJi, each team member plays an important role in supporting our scientific, operational and organizational growth. We are looking for someone who is proactive, rigorous and eager to contribute to projects that can have a real impact.

About KisoJi Biotech

KisoJi Biotech is a therapeutic antibody company focused on innovation, research and the development of mono- and multispecific antibody therapeutics, by leveraging our state-of-the-art proprietary transgenic mouse platform to generate heavy chain-only antibodies (HCAbs). Operating in a highly specialized and fast-evolving environment, KisoJi brings together multidisciplinary teams working toward a shared mission: advancing science through collaboration, precision and execution.

Joining KisoJi means becoming part of a growing organization where curiosity, scientific excellence and teamwork are at the heart of our culture. Our environment is collaborative, agile and intellectually stimulating, offering team members the opportunity to contribute directly to meaningful projects and organizational growth.

At KisoJi, we value people who are committed, adaptable and solution-oriented. We believe in building strong teams, encouraging initiative and creating an environment where individuals can grow while contributing to the company’s long-term success.

Role Overview

Reporting directly to the Head of Molecular Biology, the person in this role will be responsible for the generation of antibody libraries for phage display and NGS-enabled antibody discovery. They will also be responsible for the cloning and preparation of select DNA constructs, as required for specific projects.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the molecular biology team, ensuring the quality, efficiency and reliability of processes related to their area of responsibility.

Main Responsibilities

• Generate phage display antibody libraries, and amplicon libraries for NGS analysis
• Plan and execute panning experiments for antibody discovery
• Design, create and clone antibody/recombinant protein DNA constructs
• Participate in everyday routines of lab maintenance and organization

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate closely with internal teams, managers and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues and partners.
• Participate in meetings, follow-ups and project discussions as required.
• Support the sharing of information and documentation within the team; document all work clearly and completely.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the improvement of processes, tools and internal workflows.
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, quality and consistency.
• Support the implementation of best practices within the department (e.g. by writing SOPs, as required)
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Required Education and Experience

• M.Sc. in a relevant field (such as immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, or molecular biology), with at least 5 years of relevant experience in a similar results-oriented role.
• Experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical research environment is considered an asset.
• Equivalent experience with a demonstrated track record of success may be considered

Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience with the design, execution and troubleshooting of molecular biology techniques such as:
• Cloning (restriction enzyme/Gateway/Gibson/Golden Gate Assembly)
• PCR and RT-PCR
• DNA and RNA extraction
• Sanger sequencing analysis
• Experience with affinity selection antibody discovery methods such as phage display and biopanning
• Experience in large dataset analysis using R or Python is a plus, but not essential for this role
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to troubleshoot experiments independently
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• High level of professionalism, discretion and accountability.
• Proactive mindset and willingness to contribute to a growing organization.
• Proficient with the Microsoft 365 software suite

Work Schedule and Conditions

• Position type: Full-time (40h/week), permanent
• Schedule: Monday to Friday
• Work model: On-site
• Location: Montreal
• Start date: as soon as available

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.
• Group insurance program.
• Paid time off for December holidays (1 week)
• 3 personal days/ 3 sick days.
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment.
• Social activities.
• Opportunity to contribute to innovative biotech projects.
• Professional growth and learning opportunities.
• Team-oriented culture focused on innovation, collaboration and excellence.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to ***email_hidden***. We will not consider any applications which do not have a specific cover letter directed to the job you are applying for; please indicate the position, department and location you are applying for in the subject line. We will only consider applications sent to our contact email address – we will not check our LinkedIn mailbox.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.