About the role

The Protein Biochemistry Lead oversees all employees and functions of the Protein Biochemistry Team, which ultimately focuses on the development of assays and methodologies to purify and/or produce recombinant protein products for commercial sale. The Lead supervises, supports and trains team members, monitors progress towards goals, develops new research methodologies, and sets team strategy to ensure high-level company objectives are achieved. The Lead works closely with other R&D Team Leads to ensure a cohesive R&D strategy, and is supported by the VP of R&D.

As a senior member of the Future Fields team, all Leads are responsible for:

- Supervising, supporting and training team members.
- Developing team-specific strategies to support high-level company goals.
- Monitoring progress towards goals and course correcting as required to ensure objectives are met.
- Setting and monitoring team OKRs.
- Continuously exploring, developing, optimizing, testing, and implementing new methodologies and processes.
- Collaborating with other team leads and the executive to ensure cross-functional alignment on work plans, strategies and timelines.
- Conducting “hands on” bench work whenever needed to maximize team capacity, optimize methodologies and aggressively progress R&D outcomes.

This role owns:

- Leading the purification and characterization of recombinant protein products to enable protocol transfer to manufacturing group.
- Developing the R&D strategy for the Protein Biochemistry team, including the development of new assays and implementing these into the Future Fields’ suite of methodologies.
- Conducting hands-on lab work to increase our R&D capabilities for the purpose of expanding our suite of products and improving our overall protein production processes.
- Managing workflow of the protein group to ensure quality, prioritization, and timeliness across R&D and production.
- Cross department collaboration with genetics, engineering, and cell sciences teams to ensure alignment towards company goals.
- Characterization of purified material using chromatographic and other biophysical techniques to generate data packages for lead finding, optimization, and assessment.
- Promoting the use of novel experimental approaches within sub-function; routinely investigates and creates innovative processes, hypotheses, and methodologies.
- Technical supervision, training and mentorship of the downstream scientists and associates.
- Innovating and spearheading the development of downstream process technologies that can result in significant increases in efficiency and purity.
- Assuring GMP success through effective tech transfer and support of GMP manufacturing. Coordinate efforts with manufacturing to achieve program success.
- Anticipating experimental needs and understanding an individual experiment in the context of the entire company’s goals.
- Analyzing data, reporting, and communicating key results to VP of R&D (weekly basis) and other relevant colleagues.
- Reporting and communicating progress towards key metrics and milestones (Weekly Team meetings; ORK updates).

This role assists by:

- Supporting in recruitment, interviewing and onboarding of new team members.
- Developing methods to perform in-depth protein characterization including but not limited to protein quantification and post-translational modification.
- Developing protocols/SOPs and implementing quality control measures.
- Performing characterization on key products using protein analytical techniques (e.g., SDS-PAGE, HPLC chromatography, Octet, Western Blot, etc.).
- Performing data analysis and summarize experimental results.
- Assisting colleagues to complete laboratory tasks, as necessary.
- Maintaining a clean and safe work environment.
- Supporting business development efforts as needed including investor due diligence, project evaluation, and technical input on proposal and work plan development.
- Critically contributing to process/product characterization efforts.
- Incorporating new technologies into the company and supporting technology integration (in and out of the lab).
- Ensuring operations are designed and sourced appropriately to enable the company to achieve ambitious goals.
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This role requires:

- PhD in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering or related field with 3-5 years of relevant industry experience
- Experience managing teams and junior scientists
- Proficient in protein/antibody purification using various chromatography techniques
- Demonstrated expertise in purification optimization to maximize cost-efficiency and yield
- Hands on experience in operating and maintaining AKTA chromatographic, Tangential Flow, and other column-based chromatography methods
- Expertise in protein characterization using electrophoresis, mass-spectrometry and other physio-chemical methods elucidating the structure-function relationship of various types of proteins
- Familiarity with state-of-the-art technologies, platforms, and scientific methodologies as applied to protein purification and characterization
- Experience working with extracting and characterizing proteins from different expression systems
- Ability to work independently in a highly dynamic and fast-paced environment to contribute to multiple projects

About you

You thrive in a dynamic, ever-evolving environment and can consistently deliver on key metrics despite ambiguity and shifting deadlines. You understand the unique nature of doing science in a fast-paced commercially-oriented setting vs. an academic lab. You possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated ability to motivate, influence and gain commitment across levels of an organization. You are a strong problem solver and can communicate clear, concise data to a multidisciplinary audience. You are highly self-motivated with a strong desire to both learn from and teach others. You aren't afraid to speak your mind and value independent thinking, but leave your ego at the door and are always open to opportunities for learning and growth. You have a demonstrated track record of leading teams and coordinating multi-disciplinary projects.

About our team

Our story and approach to science is anything but conventional. Matt (co-founder/CEO) was a touring punkrock musician who dropped out of University before returning to complete his PhD in cell biology. Jalene (co-founder/COO) is a social researcher by training, previously working on issues from the right to affordable housing to harm reduction. The spark of an idea for our technology came while waiting in line for tiny, Canadian donuts. Our broader team of scientists, engineers, circus performers, restaurateurs, dancers, folk music aficionados, kid parents, pet parents, cyclists, and artists hail from every corner of the world - from small town Alberta to Poland, India, Vietnam and Pakistan. We credit our diverse team and experiences as the key to our success - and we encourage candidates of all identities and backgrounds to apply.

FAQs

Where is Future Fields located?

Our headquarters (office and lab space) is located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, in a beautiful, freshly renovated warehouse. From the exposed brick to our rooftop patio - it’s not your average lab space. It is central, close to transit and bike lanes, and walking distance to some of the city’s best coffee shops, restaurants and Edmonton’s incredible river valley.

Will I like working for a startup?

Great question. Startup life is definitely not for everyone. We move quickly. Projects and priorities shift fast. There is a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty at times and we’re not immune to the growing pains of an early stage scale-up. The risk is high, but so is the reward. We promise you will never get bored. You will have fun and learn a lot. You will grow personally and professionally in ways you never imagined (alongside our company). You will be part of something much bigger than yourself and contribute directly to the mission of a team who cares deeply about changing the world for the better.

Sound like something you are interested in? Here are the next steps:

Apply online here! Applications must be received by November 15, 2022.

If it seems like a good fit, next steps will look like this:

1. We will contact you for a casual 30 minute video call.
2. We will set up an interview to dive into your technical skills and motivation.
3. We’ll arrange another interview to figure out how you fit with our team and culture, and better understand your career trajectory.
4. We will speak with two of your references to confirm our assumption that you are, in fact, our next great hire.
5. We offer you a job!

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $80,000.00 per year

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