Principal Scientist - Biophysics

Principal Scientist – Biophysics

Kalamazoo, MI  •  Full-Time

Proteos, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NanoImaging Services, Inc. (NIS) and a trusted contract research organization that has been delivering 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.

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 spanning hit identification through candidate optimization, 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 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 Data Analysis software.
• Integrate biophysical workflows with Proteos’s existing TSA, SEC, and intact mass capabilities to support comprehensive protein characterization packages.

Client Program Support

• Serve as the biophysics scientific point of contact for client programs; contribute to project kickoffs, progress updates, and data review calls.
• 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, method validation, 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

• D. in biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology, chemical biology, or a related field with 3+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience; or M.S. with 6+ years of relevant CRO or pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Extensive hands-on proficiency with SPR (Cytiva Biacore) and/or BLI, including assay development, multi-cycle and single-cycle kinetics, surface optimization, and rigorous kinetic/thermodynamic data analysis.
• 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.
• Thorough understanding of common assay artifacts (mass transport, rebinding, non-specific binding, surface heterogeneity) and mitigation strategies.
• Strong protein biochemistry background; ability to assess and troubleshoot protein quality in the context of biophysical assay performance.
• Excellent scientific writing skills and demonstrated ability to produce clear, well-organized data reports and presentations suitable for external client delivery.
• Self-directed, highly organized, and comfortable managing multiple simultaneous client projects in a deadline-driven CRO environment.

Preferred

• Experience with ITC (MicroCal PEAQ-ITC or VP-ITC), nanoDSF (Nanotemper Prometheus), or MST (Monolith).
• Experience with membrane protein targets in detergent or lipid nanodisc formulations.
• Prior experience in a client-facing CRO or collaborative academic core facility role.
• Familiarity with cryo-EM sample preparation and biophysical QC in the context of structural biology programs.