Mass Spectrometry Scientist – Bioconjugates Job Listing at Kelly Services in Thousand Oaks, CA (Job ID US3595737_BH9940562)

Description

Job Title: Mass Spectrometry Scientist – Bioconjugate Therapeutics

 Kelly® Science & Clinical is seeking a Mass Spectrometry Scientist – Bioconjugate Therapeutics for a direct hire opportunity with one of our clients, a stealth-mode biotechnology company in the Los Angeles, CA area. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology industry.

Job Summary:
A venture-backed biotechnology startup is seeking a detail-oriented and scientifically rigorous Mass Spectrometry Scientist to lead analytical characterization efforts for a growing pipeline of bioconjugate and antibody/peptide/oligo-based therapeutics. This role is critical to understanding conjugation efficiency, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and molecular identity across platforms. The successful candidate will initially collaborate with external CROs and instrumentation partners, with the opportunity to help establish internal mass spectrometry capabilities as the company scales.
 
Job Specifications:

• Job Type: Full-time, Direct Hire
• Location: Thousand Oaks, California
• Pay Rate: $95k-125k Depending on Experience

 
 
Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead or support mass spectrometry-based QC of therapeutic conjugates using top-down proteomics, including intact mass confirmation and drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) assessments.
• Perform and interpret bottom-up peptide mapping in collaboration with chemists and protein engineers.
• Analyze in vivo plasma and tissue samples to detect and quantify peptide or oligonucleotide species via LC-MS/MS, in partnership with CROs.
• Develop and standardize data processing and reporting pipelines to ensure analytical rigor and reproducibility.
• Serve as a technical liaison with external mass spectrometry providers and CROs, ensuring timely delivery, quality control, and method alignment.
• Contribute to the future build-out of internal mass spectrometry capabilities—including equipment selection, workflow design, and SOP development.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with chemistry, biology, in vivo, and CMC teams to ensure integrated data flow for decision-making.
•  

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education: M.S. or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.

 

• Experience:
• 2–5 years of experience with mass spectrometry, preferably in an industry setting focused on biologics, ADCs, or oligonucleotides.
• Hands-on experience in LC-MS/MS, especially for intact protein analysis, peptide mapping, and bioanalytical PK quantification.
• Familiarity with conjugation chemistry and its analytical implications.
• Proven ability to oversee external CROs and manage mass spectrometry workflows under time-sensitive timelines.

 

• Preferred Skills:
• Experience with oligonucleotide/peptide mass spectrometry or detection in plasma/tissue matrices.
• Background in bioconjugation, protein engineering, or organic synthesis.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Xcalibur, MassLynx, Skyline, BioPharma Finder, or vendor-specific platforms.
• Familiarity with early-stage CMC analytical needs, including assay qualification.
• Knowledge of bioanalytical regulatory standards (e.g., GLP-like expectations for non-GLP studies).
• Comfortable navigating a startup environment with evolving infrastructure and high ownership expectations.

 
Opportunities:

• Take ownership of analytical development in a fast-paced, platform-driven startup.
• Help shape internal infrastructure and workflows for mass spectrometry.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to advance novel therapeutics.
• Contribute to the development of cutting-edge bioconjugate platforms with real-world therapeutic impact.

 
Company Culture:
This startup offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where scientific innovation is prioritized. Team members are empowered to take initiative, contribute meaningfully, and grow professionally as the company scales. The culture values transparency, scientific rigor, and a shared mission to transform therapeutic development.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

 Apply on company website