Job Description

Position Location: Saint-Priest (Lyon), France
Type of contract: Post PhD Contract

Project Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join a research program focused on innovative strategies to extend antibody half-life and dosing intervals The project aims to advance the understanding and application of molecular, biophysical, and pharmacological mechanisms governing antibody persistence in vivo.

This position sits at the interface of protein engineering, immunology, and translational pharmacology, with the long-term objective of enabling long-acting biologics with improved therapeutic efficacy and reduced dosing frequency

The research will explore both well-established and emerging approaches, including Fc engineering, albumin-based strategies, and polymer or formulation-driven solutions.

Research Objectives

The successful candidate will contribute to addressing key scientific questions, including:

• How can Fc engineering strategies be optimized to enhance FcRn-mediated recycling and extend antibody half-life?
• What are the trade-offs between half-life extension, target engagement, and developability?
• How do target biology and target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD) influence the success of long-acting antibody formats?
• Can alternative scaffolds or hybrid strategies further extend exposure while preserving efficacy and safety?

Key Responsibilities

1. Experimental Research

• Design and generate antibody variants incorporating:
• Fc mutations to enhance FcRn binding
• Effector function-modulating mutations
• Albumin-binding or fusion strategies
• Perform recombinant expression, purification, and characterization of engineered antibodies

2. Biophysical & Functional Characterization

• Conduct in vitro analyses including:
• Binding kinetics (e.g., SPR/BLI for antigen and FcRn interactions)
• Stability and aggregation studies (SEC, DLS, thermal assays)
• Functional assays (target engagement, effector function assessment where relevant)
• Evaluate structure–function relationships driving pharmacokinetic behavior

3. Translational & Mechanistic Studies

• Investigate determinants of antibody half-life such as:
• FcRn-mediated recycling mechanisms
• Target-mediated clearance pathways
• Support the design and interpretation of PK/PD studies in collaboration with pharmacology teams

4. Methodological Development

• Develop or refine experimental approaches to study:
• FcRn interactions and recycling dynamics
• Antibody stability and developability
• Novel half-life extension technologies
• Contribute to the integration of experimental data with conceptual PK/PD frameworks

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related fields
• Strong background in protein engineering and/or antibody biology

Desired Expertise

• Experience with:
• Recombinant protein expression (preferably mammalian systems)
• Biophysical characterization techniques (SPR, SEC, DLS, etc.)
• Understanding of:
• Antibody pharmacokinetics and FcRn biology
• Structure–function relationships in therapeutic proteins

Additional Assets

• Knowledge of:
• Half-life extension strategies (e.g., Fc engineering, albumin-binding, polymer conjugation)
• PK/PD modeling or translational pharmacology
• Experience in interdisciplinary collaborations is highly valued

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to design hypothesis-driven research projects
• Capacity to work independently while contributing to collaborative environments
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English