Scientist/Senior Scientist, Display Technologies
BigHat Biosciences
San Mateo, CA, USA
USD 145k-187k / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 17, 2026
The Role: BigHat Biosciences is seeking a self-motivated Scientist or Senior Scientist to join the Display Technologies team. This individual will expand BigHat’s ability to discover and engineer next-generation antibodies and to generate high-quality data to improve BigHat’s machine learning models using display technologies.
- Department
- Lab Science
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- San Mateo, CA
- Workplace type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $145,000 - $187,000 / year
- Reporting To
- Austin Prater
Key Responsibilities
- Conceive and lead R&D projects to advance display technologies at BigHat.
- Design antibody libraries to discover and optimize antibodies for affinity, cross-reactivity, stability, and function across diverse formats such as VHH, scFv, and Fab.
- Construct and QC phage and yeast display libraries of diverse antibody formats to use for in vitro selections (PCR, molecular cloning, electroporations).
- Perform phage and yeast display selections using naive and affinity maturation libraries to discover and/or engineer novel next-generation antibodies for diverse therapeutic properties, including co-selection for multiple key attributes
- Express, purify, and characterize display-derived molecules using a suite of assays including ELISA, flow cytometry, BLI/SPR, CE-SDS, and others.
- Analyze results from display selections to guide next steps and future experiments.
- Collaborate with BigHat’s Data Science and Machine Learning teams to facilitate data transfer and analysis to further bolster library design and machine learning model training.
- Present experimental plans and results during regular meetings with manager and science teams.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
- PhD with 3+ years of experience
- Extensive experience with phage and yeast display workflows for antibody engineering.
- Experience with general molecular biology tools (PCR, Molecular Cloning, Mutagenesis) and developing/executing antibody binding assays.
- Effective time management and excellent written and verbal communication skills driving an ability to plan and deliver diverse technical projects simultaneously in a dynamic start-up environment.
- Strong record keeping skills using LIMS and electronic notebooks.
- Excited to work with diverse, cross functional teams to onboard new assays and disseminate results.
- Nice-to-haves include previous experience with other display modalities (ribosome, mRNA, mammalian), NGS prep/analysis of display campaigns, and experience using automation for high-throughput assay development.
Total Rewards
The salary estimated for this position is $145,000 - $187,000 + bonus + options + benefits. Compensation will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Actual compensation will be confirmed in writing at the time of the offer.
About BigHat Biosciences
BigHat Biosciences designs safer, more effective biologic therapies for patients using machine learning and synthetic biology.
BigHat integrates a wet lab for high-speed characterization with machine learning technologies to guide the search for better antibodies. We apply these design capabilities to develop new generations of safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from today’s most challenging diseases.
BigHat integrates a wet lab for high-speed characterization with machine learning technologies to guide the search for better antibodies. We apply these design capabilities to develop new generations of safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from today’s most challenging diseases.
BigHat is a Series B biotech outside San Francisco with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. Our broad pipeline of wholly-owned and partnered therapeutic programs span many disparate indications with high unmet need, such as cancer, inflammation, and infectious disease. BigHat has raised >$100M from top investors, including Section 32, a16z, and 8VC.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Applied
Stage 2:
Initial Conversation | Head of Talent
Stage 3:
Initial Conversation | Hiring Manager
Stage 4:
1st Technical Screen
Not quite right? Register your interest to be notified of any roles that come along that meet your criteria.