Founding Scientist - Antibody/Nanobody Drug Discovery

100%, Basel, fixed-term

The group of Prof. Andreas Moor (D-BSSE, ETH Zurich, located in Basel) is seeking an exceptional, entrepreneurially minded scientist to drive a colorectal-cancer metastasis-prevention antibody/nanobody program from discovery toward the clinic (start immediately or by arrangement).

Your path: from fellowship to founding

Over the 12 months you will drive the antibody program toward investor-grade data and a strengthened IP estate, working hands-on with our translational network. The intended path for the right person is to grow into a founding and scientific-leadership role in the venture as it takes shape.

Project background

You will work at the convergence of fundamental research and translational development, advancing nanobody/antibody binders against a validated, disease-relevant target in colorectal-cancer metastasis (building on the lab's own published discovery work) from early discovery toward a robust preclinical and IP package. Responsibilities include discovery, rigorous screening, and detailed characterization of novel protein binders,in an environment that treats translation, IP, and venture formation as part of the scientific discipline.

We welcome candidates with an MSc or PhD in biotechnology, molecular biology, protein science, or a related field, eager to apply their expertise to high-impact challenges. Prior experience with protein engineering, display technologies (phage, yeast, or ribosome display), or cell-based assays is advantageous.

Job description

• Experimentation: design and execute studies to develop and characterize novel antibodies and nanobodies.
• Optimization: apply molecular biology and protein engineering to enhance binders for affinity, specificity, and stability.
• Assay development: create and validate cell-based / organoid assays to assess therapeutic potential and define the therapeutic window.
• Translational ownership: contribute hands-on to technology transfer, intellectual property (invention disclosures, FTO literature review), and the evolution of the therapeutic pipeline - including preparing materials for, and participating in, tech-transfer, partner, and investor discussions.
• Team: supervise and mentor a research technician, taking responsibility for a small team's output. Profile

• MSc or PhD in a relevant field, with a proven hands-on track record in the relevant workflows.
• Technical strength across: protein engineering and purification; display assays (phage, yeast, or ribosome); ELISA and BLI; flow cytometry, cell sorting, fluorescence microscopy; mammalian cell culture.
• Creativity and "out-of-the-box" thinking; ability to operate under pressure and deliver to timeline and budget.
• Regulatory/drug-development exposure and animal-experimentation experience are a plus.

This role is tailored for scientists who

• Are passionate about antibody/nanobody therapeutics and want to see research evolve into tangible clinical solutions.
• Are energised by ownership and by driving a project forward under real-world uncertainty.
• Value an environment where scientific inquiry meets strategic development (IP, spinoffs, and commercialization) and want hands-on exposure to it. Workplace

Workplace

We offer

• A concrete founding path: a program already on the spinoff track, and the explicit opportunity to grow into a founding, scientific-leadership role as it incorporates.
• Hands-on exposure to IP development, tech transfer, patent strategy, and venture formation - learning company-building from inside a live program, alongside our standing network.
• A pioneering translational research team with a clear path from discovery to drug developmen