IBRI is poised to transform life sciences—and for millions of people, even life itself.

The Opportunity:

A Protein Therapeutics Researcher contributes to early‑stage drug discovery by generating high‑quality recombinant proteins and antibodies to support target validation, hit identification, and lead optimization. The role involves executing and optimizing protein expression and purification workflows across multiple platforms, characterizing biomolecules using a range of biochemical and biophysical assays, and supporting phage display campaigns for antibody discovery. Researchers collaborate closely with internal and external partners to analyze data, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and advance project milestones. This position provides opportunities to broaden technical expertise while making impactful contributions to therapeutic development.

Responsibilities:

Protein Expression Development 

• Develop optimal protein expression methodologies for each unique target, including:
• Utilize molecular biology techniques to introduce recombinant plasmid DNA into respective expression platforms.
• Evaluate suitability of different expression platforms for each protein (bacteria, insect, mammalian) via SDS-PAGE, Western blot, Bradford Assay or protein activity assay, if applicable.
• Perform comprehensive expression screening experiments within identified expression systems to identify ideal expression parameters.

Protein Purification and Analytical Assessment

• Purify recombinant proteins using affinity, ion‑exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and size‑exclusion chromatography.
• Assess protein purity and yield using SDS‑PAGE, Western blot, Bradford assay, or other suitable methods.

Molecular Biology and DNA Engineering

• Evaluate yield and purity using SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Bradford Assay, or another suitable method
• Perform various molecular biology techniques to purify, quantify, characterize, and manipulate recombinant DNA, including:
• Isolate recombinant DNA from host vectors.
• Assess DNA purity and yield using absorbance-based methods (e.g. NanoDrop).
• Perform restriction enzyme digests on isolated DNA and analyze banding pattern via agarose gel.
• Run site-directed mutagenesis protocols to introduce hypothesis-driven amino acid mutations, when applicable.
• Purify target proteins using various chromatography resins (affinity, ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, size-exclusion, etc.)

Cell Culture Maintenance

• Maintain and expand various cell lines using aseptic techniques to support protein production, ensuring high viability and sterility.

Phage Display Support and Antibody Characterization

• Assist with or run phage display campaigns using in-house phage display library.
• Make required media, antibiotic stocks, agar plates, etc.
• Transform bacteria from parent library stock and grow subsequent culture outputs using aseptic culture techniques.
• Perform phage titer experiments.
• Evaluate unique phage output using poly/monocloncal ELISAs.
• Assess binding kinetics of antibody/antigen pairs using biophysical methods (e.g. Biolayer Interferometry)
• Analyze DNA sequences of unique clones using SnapGene or other analysis software.

Collaboration and Data Management & Documentation

• Assist other members of the Protein Therapeutics teams with ongoing projects when needed.
• Regularly communicate data to supervisor, team, and collaborators in both formal and informal meetings.
• Maintain an organized and detailed record of all experiments, methods, and raw/analyzed data in an electronic lab notebook.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, cellular biology, or other similar fields.
• Knowledge of basic lab techniques (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, protein quantification assays, etc.) is required.
• Prior experience with protein expression and purification is required.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills are required.
• Willingness to learn new techniques is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AKTA chromatography systems is highly preferred.
• Experience working with BSL2 material (mammalian and/or insect cell culture) is preferred.
• Experience with antibody production and characterization is preferred.
• Applicants with knowledge of phage display technology are especially encouraged to apply.

Compensation: 

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits offered commensurate with experience.

About Us: 

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) is a first-in-class translational medicine institute dedicated to advancing life sciences in the race to eliminate disease and improve human health and life.

By connecting early-stage biotech companies with cutting-edge life science discoveries —and backed by the mission and resources of industry leaders, investors, and philanthropic partners—IBRI is successfully evolving a new, independent model to conquer disease, uniting previously fragmented forces in the quest for cures.

Carefully curating and supporting early-stage companies with investment, talent, and space, IBRI strategically accelerates drug discovery. Our work benefits from the relatively low cost of living and doing business here, allowing more resources to be directed toward science.

Fueled by the same entrepreneurial creativity as the groundbreaking scientific work we support, IBRI’s labs advance research across the frontiers of diabetes, metabolic disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and rare pediatric diseases. Our ambitious public–private vision cultivates talent while efficiently bridging the gap between research-driven inquiry and profit-driven drug development.

At IBRI, cures are launched on a clear pathway to clinical trials, enabled by the combined resources and experience of our academic and industry partners, without the typical pressure to deliver rapid results for commercialization. IBRI labs pursue breakthroughs that might never happen elsewhere. Breakthroughs are happening here. Our novel financing model ensures that when discoveries are ready for clinical trials, the intellectual property is sold back to industry or spun off, creating a direct stream of revenue.

By every measure, the IBRI model demonstrates a novel approach that delivers rewards. Scientific bench work is nurtured, drug discovery is advanced, workforce development is continuous, investors see returns, and donors see impact. Most importantly, IBRI’s structure and portfolio of accomplishments matter to the patients whose lives are improved—or even saved—by this forward-looking approach to life sciences.

IBRI is driven to bring next-generation therapies to market with an understanding of the complex pressures that often bind innovation to economics. After more than a decade, the evidence is clear: IBRI is poised to transform life sciences—and for millions of people, even life itself.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The IBRI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.