Group Leader, Discovery and Engineering

Our Organization

IONTAS is part of the FairJourney Biologics family, which operates across four global sites (Porto – Portugal, Cambridge – UK, San Francisco and San Diego – USA). FairJourney Biologics is dedicated to discovering high-quality biologics drug candidates for our partners, providing solutions to their technical challenges, and helping bring life-changing medicines to patients. Our antibody discovery and engineering services have benefitted over 200 biotech and pharma partners worldwide. With more than 1,000 completed projects using a range of molecular formats and 20 clinical-stage molecules, we are internationally recognized for tackling novel and challenging discovery programs. Our expertise in Phage and Mammalian Display platforms enables us to push the boundaries of antibody discovery, driving innovation for next-generation therapeutics.

The Role

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Group Leader to join the expanding Discovery & Engineering Unit at our South Cambridgeshire site (DEU III). This role will be client facing and involve Project Leadership and line management of lab-based staff. Building on your direct scientific experience, you will shape decisions and planning of practical work for client projects and play a role in hands-on training and development of staff. Teamwork is a key skill for this role – you will need to balance capacity and resources to drive internal and external projects, meeting agreed timelines.

You will have a strong background in Biologics drug discovery in an industry setting and apply this to projects, while working with colleagues to refine our B cell and (phage and mammalian) display technologies. This will be an onsite role, reporting to an Associate Director within the Discovery & Engineering Unit. Your responsibilities will include overseeing the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, interpretation and communication of the findings to the team and clients. This role will include line management responsibilities and technical training of team members. You will have direct leadership of a team who work on complex, high impact projects, will work with autonomy and have organisational influence. A positive, team-oriented and solution focused mindset is required to deliver on a wide range of innovative and intellectually challenging projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead antibody discovery programs using B cell technologies, phage and/or mammalian display, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.

• Manage and strengthen client and internal stakeholder relationships to drive project success.

• Apply your knowledge of antibody drug discovery to shape and guide project decisions in collaboration with team leaders and clients.

• Initiate and lead novel research directions and strategic initiatives to advance business objectives.

• Work with the Technology Unit to evaluate and integrate novel platforms to the drug discovery process.

• As a line manager, support individuals to deliver project work and develop professionally.

• Collect, analyse, and interpret scientific data to inform decision-making.

• Present findings and progress updates to senior management, partners and at scientific conferences.

• Contribute to generation of training guidelines for staff, including process, safety and compliance.

Your Profile

• PhD (or equivalent industry experience) in Antibody Discovery, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Immunology or a related field.

• 8+ additional years of hands-on experience in antibody drug discovery, preferably within industry, with a demonstrable understanding of therapeutic antibody formats, structures, and sequences.

• Practical experience in single B cell discovery platforms.

• In-depth understanding and practical research experience of molecular biology, mammalian cell culture and functional cell-based assays.

• Excellent data analysis, interpretation and problem-solving skills.

• Influencing skills to shape project decisions and direction.

• Ability to plan time and prioritise work.

• Maintain clear written records in a timely manner.

• The ability to present and communicate effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability and desire to build strong collaborative working relationships

• Prior experience in project and line management.

• Experience of antibody isolation and engineering for optimisation.

• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry & FACS.

• Familiarity with biochemical assays, (e.g. ELISA, SPR).

• Strong understanding of antibody display technologies (e.g. phage/mammalian display).

• Experience in antibody display library construction would be an advantage.

We Offer

Be Part of a Global Team

• By being part of the FairJourney Biologics family, you will be collaborating with teams in Porto, Cambridge, San Francisco and San Diego. You will have the opportunity to work alongside world-class scientists, share insights and contribute to ground breaking antibody projects.

Innovating the Future of Therapeutic Antibodies

• IONTAS was co-founded in 2012 by John McCafferty, a pioneer of antibody phage display technology, which contributed to the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and became part of the FairJourney Biologics family in 2020. By integrating phage and mammalian display expertise, we deliver high-affinity, developable antibodies that are shaping the future of drug discovery.

Career Development & Growth

As the biopharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, there is a growing reliance on specialized CROs to drive innovation in antibody discovery. With an increasing number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies outsourcing their research, FairJourney Biologics is well positioned for long-term growth and expanding opportunities.

• Be part of a dynamic, motivated team at our expanding Cambridge site.

• Contribute to projects that impact partners, patients and the broader scientific community.

Competitive Benefits

• Attractive salary & life insurance.

• Generous parental leave policies.

• Located on Unity Campus, a growing science park offering good transport links, an on-site gym with personal training, a cafe and a vibrant social community.

A Culture That Empowers

We foster an inclusive, collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued. At FairJourney Biologics, your ideas and contributions matter – helping us transform antibody discovery and deliver next-generation therapeutics.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career path, we’d love to hear from you!

Deadline for applications: 16 October 2026