Director, Protein Sciences

Position Summary

Metaphore Bio is a generative AI drug design company creating a new class of functional antibodies. We are seeking an accomplished protein scientist and people leader to build and run the engine that turns computationally designed antibodies into well-characterized, developable therapeutic proteins. This is a rare opportunity to pair deep protein biochemistry and antibody purification expertise with a first-in-class AI platform — and to shape how a new modality moves from sequence to drug candidate.

The Director/Sr. Director of Protein & Cell Sciences will lead the team responsible for high-throughput expression, purification, and biophysical characterization of antibodies and related proteins, and for the cell culture, engineering, and scale-up needed to produce material from milligram to multi-gram scale in support of discovery. You will deliver high-quality antibody and protein reagents across multiple simultaneous biologics discovery programs, enable optimization of our discovery platform, manage a team of direct and indirect reports, and coordinate protein expression, purification, and characterization across both in-house and outsourced operations. A deep, practical command of protein biochemistry and antibody purification — and a clear understanding of the developability and CMC requirements that separate a promising lead from a viable drug — will be central to your success in the role.

As a member of the Biotherapeutics & Enabling Technologies leadership team, you will partner closely with the head of the unit to establish and grow a Protein & Cell Sciences function that maximizes the potential of Metaphore’s platform to deliver transformative therapeutics to patients.

Responsibilities

Scientific and Functional Leadership

• Lead an engaged and entrepreneurial team of 4-5 scientists that contributes significantly to the advancement of the internal and partnered portfolio, develops novel platforms and techniques, and delivers well-characterized, high-quality development candidates.
• Establish, maintain, and communicate best practices for biochemistry and cell biology techniques including expression, production, purification, and analytical and functional characterization of antibodies and related therapeutic proteins.
• Ensure high quality data management including the use of electronic laboratory environments/LIMS for data storage and retrieval, to maximize the potential of AI/ML methods to deliver high-quality leads.
• Partner with research informatics and laboratory automation teams to identify and implement opportunities for improved workflows, more efficient protein production and characterization, and parallelized therapeutic discovery.
• Serve as a scientific authority on protein therapeutics, making high-impact contributions to program strategy, molecule design, and candidate developability.

Strategy and Execution

• Implement and manage outsourced protein production and characterization work with CROs that complements internal resourcing.
• Serve as a major interface with downstream CMC functions and external CDMOs to enable seamless progression of molecules into and through DC nomination, process development, and early manufacturing.
• Accountable for resourcing decisions for programs within the HTPP function.
• Partner with peers on the Biotherapeutics leadership team to manage resources, budgets, and operations.

Team Building and External Engagement

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing Protein Sciences unit.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability by partnering with other functions within the Biotherapeutics unit and across Metaphore.
• Partner with external collaborators, CROs, and technology providers to expand capabilities and accelerate timelines.
• As a member of the Biotherapeutics leadership team, facilitate group operations and strategic decisions, contribute to the development of the culture and people within the group, and contribute to broader company-wide strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD in protein biochemistry, biophysics, molecular and cell biology, structural biology, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience), with demonstrated depth in protein science.
• 10+ years of experience in biologics drug discovery and development, with a track record of advancing antibody-based therapeutics from discovery toward the clinic.
• Hands-on, expert-level knowledge of antibody and protein expression, purification, and biophysical/analytical characterization — including chromatography-based purification strategies, developability and quality assessment, and the automation needed to support