Scientist 2
Xencor
June 25, 2026
On-site
Pasadena, CA
Clinical Research and Development
Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist 2 to join the Antibody Discovery team. The role focuses on optimizing a yeast-display discovery platform, designing/building antibody libraries, and running in vitro display campaigns to identify therapeutic hits and optimize leads.
Job Duties Include:
- Perform yeast display-based discovery screens for therapeutic programs.
- Use NGS (library generation, QC, sequencing, data analysis) for hit selection.
- Execute display-based lead optimization, including designing/building new display libraries, QC, and screening.
- Stay current with external scientific advancements.
- Evaluate strategies and real-time data to adjust experiments for successful campaigns.
- Coordinate with other departments to prioritize critical experiments.
- Present data in group/department meetings.
- Follow lab safety guidelines; contribute to experiment design/execution, data analysis/interpretation, and reporting/archiving.
- Follow policies; may provide direction to reports as applicable.
- Maintain daily lab operations (equipment, inventories, consumables/reagents, supplies).
Education/Experience/Skills (Required/Preferred):
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field; 3+ years post-graduate lab experience (industry preferred).
- Prior experience collaborating on cross-functional/matrixed teams.
- Sound theoretical/experimental expertise, technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration, independent thought.
- Strong hands-on yeast display (naïve and/or immunized libraries); antibody lead optimization (affinity, potency, developability).
- Molecular cloning; DNA analysis software (Geneious Prime, Sequencher or similar).
- NGS experience (library generation, QC, sequencing, sequence analysis); AI/ML sequence analysis helpful.
- Understanding of antibody structure/function/engineering.
- High-throughput screening (96/384-well) and liquid handling automation desirable.
- On-site: ~80% lab / 20% non-lab.
- Strong communication; analytical/problem-solving; method development, protocol writing, detailed records, electronic notebook (Benchling desirable).
Additional Lab/Research Requirements:
- Follow EHS/BioSafety; read SDSs; may require some weekends/evenings.
- Biosafety/aseptic/gowning; biohazard/infectious agent handling and compliance.
- Experience with lab safety, sterile environments, and biological/chemical hazards.
Compensation/Benefits (as stated):
- Expected base salary range: $118,000–$150,000. Competitive total rewards package including 401k match, healthcare coverage, ESPP, annual bonus, and equity grant.
Application Instructions:
- For more information, see https://xencor.com/careers/.
We are seeking a highly motivated Scientist 2 to join the Antibody Discovery team. The role focuses on optimizing a yeast-display discovery platform, designing/building antibody libraries, and running in vitro display campaigns to identify therapeutic hits and optimize leads.
Job Duties Include:
- Perform yeast display-based discovery screens for therapeutic programs.
- Use NGS (library generation, QC, sequencing, data analysis) for hit selection.
- Execute display-based lead optimization, including designing/building new display libraries, QC, and screening.
- Stay current with external scientific advancements.
- Evaluate strategies and real-time data to adjust experiments for successful campaigns.
- Coordinate with other departments to prioritize critical experiments.
- Present data in group/department meetings.
- Follow lab safety guidelines; contribute to experiment design/execution, data analysis/interpretation, and reporting/archiving.
- Follow policies; may provide direction to reports as applicable.
- Maintain daily lab operations (equipment, inventories, consumables/reagents, supplies).
Education/Experience/Skills (Required/Preferred):
- Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field; 3+ years post-graduate lab experience (industry preferred).
- Prior experience collaborating on cross-functional/matrixed teams.
- Sound theoretical/experimental expertise, technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration, independent thought.
- Strong hands-on yeast display (naïve and/or immunized libraries); antibody lead optimization (affinity, potency, developability).
- Molecular cloning; DNA analysis software (Geneious Prime, Sequencher or similar).
- NGS experience (library generation, QC, sequencing, sequence analysis); AI/ML sequence analysis helpful.
- Understanding of antibody structure/function/engineering.
- High-throughput screening (96/384-well) and liquid handling automation desirable.
- On-site: ~80% lab / 20% non-lab.
- Strong communication; analytical/problem-solving; method development, protocol writing, detailed records, electronic notebook (Benchling desirable).
Additional Lab/Research Requirements:
- Follow EHS/BioSafety; read SDSs; may require some weekends/evenings.
- Biosafety/aseptic/gowning; biohazard/infectious agent handling and compliance.
- Experience with lab safety, sterile environments, and biological/chemical hazards.
Compensation/Benefits (as stated):
- Expected base salary range: $118,000–$150,000. Competitive total rewards package including 401k match, healthcare coverage, ESPP, annual bonus, and equity grant.
Application Instructions:
- For more information, see https://xencor.com/careers/.