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Salary: USD 120,000 - 150,000 / annual
Arbor Biotechnologies, a clinical-stage gene editing company based in Cambridge, MA, is seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist in Protein Engineering to drive experimental execution for protein engineering workstreams within genome editing programs. The role combines hands-on experimentation with data analysis, structural insight, and collaborative problem-solving to advance first-in-class genomic medicines for serious diseases including ALS and primary hyperoxaluria type 1.
In this role, you will independently design and execute experiments to test protein engineering hypotheses, evaluate engineered protein mutants and variants, and analyze biochemical and cellular data. You will apply protein biochemistry, molecular biology, structure-function analysis, and cellular screening approaches to generate improved genome editing molecules. Key responsibilities include:
**Protein Engineering Design & Execution:**
- Drive experimental execution for assigned protein engineering workstreams within established campaign objectives
- Design, generate, and evaluate protein mutants and variants to support genome editing programs
- Apply protein engineering approaches such as rational design, structure-guided engineering, deep mutational scanning, or related methods based on project goals
- Independently design and execute experiments to test hypotheses and evaluate variant performance
- Analyze experimental results, troubleshoot issues, and recommend next steps to support iterative design-build-test-learn cycles
- Use scientific judgment to influence project-team decisions through clear, data-driven recommendations
**Protein Biochemistry & Structure-Function Analysis:**
- Apply structure-guided protein engineering using experimental structures, homology models, AI-predicted structures, and other relevant models to generate and prioritize variant hypotheses
- Use protein structure visualization and molecular modeling tools (PyMOL, ChimeraX, AlphaFold-derived models) to analyze active sites, protein-protein interfaces, conformational states, and sequence-structure-function relationships
- Design and perform biochemical assays to investigate protein properties including activity, stability, specificity, kinetics, or other relevant functional readouts
- Interpret biochemical and cellular assay results to support protein engineering decisions and identify appropriate follow-up experiments
- Explain scientific and technical findings clearly to project teams and functional partners
You will work closely with computational scientists, experimental teams, and project leads to apply structure-guided and AI-enabled design approaches, interpret results, and support iterative cycles. You will also contribute technical expertise to project-team decisions and help document and communicate results to support internal technology hand-offs.
**Requirements:**
- PhD in protein engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, or related field
- 3+ years of post-doctoral or industry experience in protein engineering, protein biochemistry, or related molecular biology research
- Demonstrated expertise in protein engineering methodologies (rational design, directed evolution, deep mutational scanning, or related approaches)
- Strong hands-on laboratory skills in protein expression, purification, and characterization
- Experience with protein structure visualization and molecular modeling tools (PyMOL, ChimeraX, or equivalent)
- Proficiency in biochemical assay design and data analysis
- Experience with cellular screening or functional assays
- Familiarity with AI-enabled protein design tools or structure-guided engineering approaches preferred
- Strong scientific judgment, independent execution, and data-driven mindset
- Excellent communication skills and collaborative problem-solving ability
- Comfort with ambiguity and ability to work in a fast-paced, iterative research environment
