Principal Scientist - Biophysics

Job Description

Job Description

Principal Scientist — Biophysics

Kalamazoo, MI • Full-Time • On-Site

Proteos, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NanoImaging Services, Inc. (NIS) and a trusted contract research organization that has delivered high-quality protein reagents to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries since 2003. Based in Kalamazoo, our team brings decades of collective expertise to each program — anticipating challenges, developing practical solutions, and generating results that move discovery forward.

With expanded capabilities in cryo-EM following our integration with NIS, Proteos is growing its biophysical analysis offerings. We are seeking an experienced scientist to build and lead our binding interaction platform, working alongside our protein production team to deliver fully integrated, end-to-end drug discovery support to our clients.

Who We Are Looking For

This role requires hands-on biophysics experience gained in an industry, CRO, or dedicated core facility setting, not exclusively in an academic research lab. We need a scientist who has run a biophysics service or platform that supports external or internal clients, knows what production-grade SPR/BLI data looks like under deadline pressure, and can build that capability here from day one.

Position Summary

The Principal Scientist – Biophysics will serve as the technical lead for binding kinetics, affinity, and thermodynamic characterization services at Proteos. This individual will establish robust SPR, BLI, and complementary biophysical workflows, work directly on client projects, and collaborate closely with our protein biochemistry team to ensure high-quality, well-characterized reagents underlie every assay. This role offers a rare opportunity to build a biophysics capability from the ground up within an established, growing CRO.

The biophysical analysis platform encompasses the following technologies. Candidates should have deep, production-environment expertise in at least two primary platforms and working knowledge of at least two additional techniques:

• Primary Platforms: SPR, BLI, ITC, MST

• Additional Techniques: DLS, Mass Photometry, DSF, nanoDSF

Key Responsibilities

Assay Development & Execution

• Design, develop, and execute SPR and BLI binding assays for small molecules, peptides, antibodies/Fabs, fragments, and oligonucleotides against diverse target classes including kinases, proteases, nuclear receptors, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) systems.

• Optimize surface chemistry and ligand immobilization strategies (amine coupling, His-tag capture, streptavidin/biotin, NTA, NHS-EDC) for each target and analyte class.

• Apply and critically evaluate appropriate kinetic models using vendor and third-party data analysis software.

Client Program Support

• Prepare detailed, client-ready data reports and summary presentations with full experimental documentation, data interpretation, and scientific context.

• Collaborate with Proteos protein biochemistry scientists to troubleshoot protein quality issues that impact biophysical assay performance.

• Support feasibility assessments and contribute scientific content to client proposals for new biophysical service engagements.

Platform & Capability Development

• Lead the build-out of Proteos's biophysical analysis service line, including instrument evaluation and SOP development.

• Identify opportunities to expand the service portfolio and develop new capabilities aligned with client demand.

• Establish QC benchmarks and data quality standards for all biophysical assay outputs.

Mentorship & Scientific Leadership

• Mentor and train junior scientists in biophysical techniques, data analysis workflows, and scientific reporting.

• Contribute to Proteos's scientific visibility through participation in publications, conference presentations, and technical blog content.

• Maintain all instrumentation in excellent operating condition; manage calibrations, PM schedules, and vendor relationships.

• Ensure complete and accurate documentation in the electronic laboratory notebook system.

Qualifications

Required

• Education and experience: Ph.D. in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology, chemical biology, or a related field with a minimum of 3 years of post-PhD experience in a biophysics-focused role within industry, a CRO, or a dedicated biophysics core facility; OR B.S. or M.S. with 6+ years of equivalent industry, CRO, or core lab biophysics experience. Academic postdoctoral experience alone does not satisfy this requirement.

• Production-environment biophysics experience ( non-negotiable ): Demonstrated track record of running SPR (Cytiva Biacore) and/or BLI as a routine service or platform supporting multiple projects, programs, or external clients. Must be able to speak to throughput, turnaround expectations, and data quality standards in a service or platform setting.

• Technical depth: Extensive hands-on proficiency in assay development, multi-cycle and single-cycle kinetics, surface optimization, and rigorous kinetic/thermodynamic data analysis. Familiarity with regression diagnostics, residual analysis, and assessment of data fit quality is expected.

• Analyte breadth: Demonstrated experience with small molecule, peptide, and antibody analyte systems. Familiarity with challenging target classes (membrane proteins, intrinsically disordered regions, large macromolecular assemblies) is a strong asset.

• Assay artifact expertise: Thorough working understanding of common assay artifacts (mass transport, rebinding, non-specific binding, surface heterogeneity, aggregation effects) and proven, hands-on mitigation strategies.

• Protein biochemistry foundation: Strong protein biochemistry background; ability to assess and troubleshoot protein quality in the context of biophysical assay performance.

• Client-ready scientific communication: Excellent scientific writing skills and proven ability to produce clear, well-organized data reports and presentations delivered to external clients, internal program teams, or equivalent stakeholders.

• CRO-style operating style: Self-directed, highly organized, and proven comfort managing multiple simultaneous client or stakeholder projects in a deadline-driven environment.

Preferred

• Prior experience in a client-facing CRO or collaborative academic core facility role with documented project ownership.

• Hands-on experience with ITC (MicroCal PEAQ-ITC or VP-ITC), nanoDSF (Nanotemper Prometheus), or MST (Monolith) in a service or platform context.

• Experience with membrane protein targets in detergent or lipid nanodisc formulations.

To Apply

Submit a CV and a brief cover letter that specifically describes (1) the biophysics platforms you have operated as a routine service and (2) the types of clients, programs, or internal stakeholders you supported. Applications without this context may not be reviewed.

Proteos, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.