Job Title: Junior Scientist Protein Biochemistry & Biophysics
Location: Leuven
About the Company: Pledge Therapeutics is an innovative start-up dedicated to advancing treatments in immunology and virology. We are passionate about developing novel therapies addressing unmet medical needs in immune-oncology and viral infections. Leveraging our state-of-the-art discovery platform, we have developed high-quality medicinal leads for multiple exciting drug targets that can potentially revise existing treatment paradigms. Our breakthrough discoveries are ready to be transitioned from the lab to the clinic.
About the Role: We seek an enthusiastic scientist capable of solving the challenges associated with leading-edge discoveries. The successful candidate will integrate into an international and multidisciplinary team of scientists, bringing expertise in protein biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology to provide insights into therapeutic targets. This scientist is the vanguard of our R&D efforts, capable of adapting to any situation and responding swiftly to changing conditions. From urgent research studies to critical experiments, this team member executes efficiently and effectively.
Responsibilities:
* Leverages expertise in protein biochemistry and biophysics to design and perform recombinant protein expression and purification, generating high-quality protein samples to advance discovery efforts in immuno-oncology and virology.
* Applies structural biology methods by setting up crystallization trials, optimizing crystal growth, and collecting diffraction data, contributing to structure determination of key targets.
* Utilizes biophysical techniques (ITC, BLI, SPR, GCI) to characterize protein–ligand and protein–protein interactions, and interprets data to support project decision-making.
* Collaborates cross-functionally with biologists, structural biologists, and medicinal chemists to integrate biochemical and biophysical data into comprehensive discovery strategies.
* Contributes to protocol refinement and implementation, ensuring reproducibility, quality, and alignment with project needs.
* Maintains rigorous documentation of experimental design, execution, and results
Qualifications:
* Master / PhD degree in Structural Biology / Protein Biochemistry
* 1-5 years of work experience as a bench scientist in industry (e.g., biotech, pharma)
* Experience Protein Purification for different expression systems using multiple techniques
* Preference will be given to candidates who have direct experience in enzymology and crystallization techniques (co-crystallization, seeding, cross-seeding, soaking, harvesting, and freezing)
* Familiar with chemistry and protein computational techniques
* Champion a “can do" attitude and flexibility to adjust as R&D priorities shift
If you are interested in contributing your expertise in protein biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology to advance novel therapies in immuno-oncology and virology, please send your resume and a brief note to our hiring team.