Protein Scientist, Assistant Director or Associate Director
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
August 14, 2026
Remote friendly (Carlsbad, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
PROTEIN SCIENTIST, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Summary
Seeking a protein scientist to lead and advance protein discovery and production for protein–oligonucleotide conjugate programs. Adapt ligands from primary screens into robust, scalable protein fusion formats for downstream characterization, development, and larger-scale production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design, engineering, expression, purification, and characterization of protein ligands and protein fusion constructs for protein–oligonucleotide conjugates
- Translate screening hits into optimized lead molecules with improved expression, stability, manufacturability, and function
- Develop and execute protein production strategies; select fit-for-purpose expression platforms
- Design fusion proteins/engineered constructs for scale-up and conjugation workflows
- Oversee purification and analytical characterization (integrity, aggregation, binding, stability)
- Partner with oligonucleotide chemistry and conjugation teams to ensure compatibility with conjugation and downstream process needs
- Drive experimental strategy, data interpretation, and decision-making across programs
- Mentor scientists/research associates; present results and recommendations to cross-functional teams
- Hands-on laboratory work expected
Requirements
- PhD in protein science/biochemistry/molecular biology/chemical biology/bioengineering or related field, with relevant industry experience
- Assistant Director: at least 5 years; Associate Director: at least 8 years relevant experience
- Significant hands-on recombinant protein expression/purification in microbial and mammalian systems
- Expertise in protein engineering/design and construct optimization (expression, stability, function)
- Track record advancing proteins from discovery/screening through lead optimization and scale-up
- Experience with protein fusions/complex engineered protein formats
- Experience with analytical methods for protein characterization
- Strong communication, scientific judgment, rigor, problem-solving, and ability to manage multiple assignments
- Strong publication record; entrepreneurial spirit
Preferred Qualifications
- Protein-based ligand discovery program experience; bioconjugation/oligonucleotide conjugation construct experience
- Structure-guided design, computational design tools, or directed evolution experience
- Experience scaling protein production for preclinical/development-stage studies
- Prior leadership in matrixed, cross-functional teams
- Interface experience: protein engineering + conjugation chemistry + therapeutic platform development
Application Instructions
Apply via website and reference requisition #IONIS004044.
Benefits / Pay
- Pay scale: $144,200–$196,444 (Assistant Director: $144,200–$176,800; Associate Director: $165,597–$196,444).
Summary
Seeking a protein scientist to lead and advance protein discovery and production for protein–oligonucleotide conjugate programs. Adapt ligands from primary screens into robust, scalable protein fusion formats for downstream characterization, development, and larger-scale production.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead design, engineering, expression, purification, and characterization of protein ligands and protein fusion constructs for protein–oligonucleotide conjugates
- Translate screening hits into optimized lead molecules with improved expression, stability, manufacturability, and function
- Develop and execute protein production strategies; select fit-for-purpose expression platforms
- Design fusion proteins/engineered constructs for scale-up and conjugation workflows
- Oversee purification and analytical characterization (integrity, aggregation, binding, stability)
- Partner with oligonucleotide chemistry and conjugation teams to ensure compatibility with conjugation and downstream process needs
- Drive experimental strategy, data interpretation, and decision-making across programs
- Mentor scientists/research associates; present results and recommendations to cross-functional teams
- Hands-on laboratory work expected
Requirements
- PhD in protein science/biochemistry/molecular biology/chemical biology/bioengineering or related field, with relevant industry experience
- Assistant Director: at least 5 years; Associate Director: at least 8 years relevant experience
- Significant hands-on recombinant protein expression/purification in microbial and mammalian systems
- Expertise in protein engineering/design and construct optimization (expression, stability, function)
- Track record advancing proteins from discovery/screening through lead optimization and scale-up
- Experience with protein fusions/complex engineered protein formats
- Experience with analytical methods for protein characterization
- Strong communication, scientific judgment, rigor, problem-solving, and ability to manage multiple assignments
- Strong publication record; entrepreneurial spirit
Preferred Qualifications
- Protein-based ligand discovery program experience; bioconjugation/oligonucleotide conjugation construct experience
- Structure-guided design, computational design tools, or directed evolution experience
- Experience scaling protein production for preclinical/development-stage studies
- Prior leadership in matrixed, cross-functional teams
- Interface experience: protein engineering + conjugation chemistry + therapeutic platform development
Application Instructions
Apply via website and reference requisition #IONIS004044.
Benefits / Pay
- Pay scale: $144,200–$196,444 (Assistant Director: $144,200–$176,800; Associate Director: $165,597–$196,444).