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Research Associate Antibody Discovery & in vivo Pharmacology - Job Opportunity at Neurimmune

Schlieren, Switzerland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: May 30, 2025
On-site
CHF 70,000 - 85,000 annually based on Swiss biotechnology market standards for mid-level research associates with specialized antibody and in vivo experience. Switzerland's high cost of living and strong pharmaceutical sector typically command premium salaries compared to other European markets.

Benefits

Outstanding scientific approach in research and development providing exposure to cutting-edge biotechnology methodologies
Comprehensive professional and personal development programs enhancing career advancement opportunities
Dynamic work environment within a financially stable biotech company offering job security and growth potential
Access to clinical-stage biopharmaceutical research contributing to meaningful therapeutic development

Key Responsibilities

Lead target validation and characterization initiatives for novel therapeutic antibody candidates, directly contributing to drug discovery pipeline advancement
Design, develop and implement sophisticated biochemical, immunohistological and cell-based assays that form the foundation of therapeutic antibody evaluation
Execute comprehensive characterization of antibody candidates in animal models including strategic compound dosing, biological sample collection, necropsy procedures, and tissue processing for quantitative analyses
Generate critical documentation and present findings to research teams, influencing strategic decision-making in therapeutic development
Operate with both independent scientific judgment and collaborative team integration to drive research objectives forward

Requirements

Education

MSc, BSc or training as laboratory technician in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or equivalent degree in biological sciences

Experience

Good practice in the handling and cultivation of eukaryotic cells and expertise in in vivo administration of compounds

Required Skills

Good practice in the handling and cultivation of eukaryotic cells Experience in mammalian cell culture, in vitro cellular assays and immunological techniques such as ELISA and Western Blotting Expertise in in vivo administration of compounds (i.p/i.v.), vein bleeding techniques, necropsy and ex vivo sample processing for biochemical and immunostaining analyses Well organized, self-motivated, ability to work efficiently both independently and collaboratively with a focus on deliverables
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The antibody therapeutics market is experiencing unprecedented growth with global revenues expected to exceed $300 billion by 2025, driven by increasing applications in oncology, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. This expansion is creating substantial demand for skilled research associates who can bridge discovery and preclinical development phases. Neurological and neurodegenerative disease research is attracting significant pharmaceutical investment following recent FDA approvals of controversial Alzheimer's treatments, creating opportunities for companies like Neurimmune that specialize in brain-penetrating antibodies and neurological applications. The integration of in vivo pharmacology with antibody discovery is becoming increasingly critical as the industry moves toward more sophisticated characterization requirements for regulatory submissions, making combined expertise in both areas highly valuable in the current market.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a 4-8 person research team including senior scientists, other research associates, and potentially research assistants, with cross-functional collaboration with discovery biology, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory affairs teams.
This mid-level research associate position requires substantial independent decision-making in experimental design and data interpretation, while reporting to senior scientists or project leaders. The role combines hands-on technical execution with strategic thinking about therapeutic development.

Key Projects

Lead optimization studies for antibody candidates transitioning from discovery to preclinical development phases Biomarker identification and validation studies supporting clinical trial design and patient stratification strategies Pharmacodynamic studies evaluating antibody efficacy and mechanism of action in disease-relevant animal models Tissue distribution and target engagement studies critical for regulatory submissions and clinical trial planning

Success Factors

Technical excellence in both antibody characterization techniques and in vivo experimental design, as the role requires seamless integration of multiple complex methodologies Strong project management capabilities to coordinate timelines across multiple antibody candidates while maintaining detailed documentation standards required for regulatory compliance Scientific communication skills to effectively present complex data to multidisciplinary teams and influence strategic decisions about candidate progression Adaptability to evolving methodologies as the antibody discovery field rapidly incorporates new technologies like single-cell analysis and advanced imaging techniques

Market Demand

High demand driven by expanding antibody therapeutics market and Switzerland's position as a global biotechnology hub with companies like Roche, Novartis, and emerging biotechs competing for skilled research talent.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

In vivo experimental design and execution capabilities are absolutely essential as they directly impact the quality of data supporting clinical candidate selection and regulatory submissions. The ability to properly design animal studies, execute complex dosing regimens, and process samples for multiple analytical endpoints determines the success of preclinical development programs. Antibody characterization expertise using immunological techniques forms the foundation of therapeutic antibody development, as these skills are required to evaluate binding specificity, functional activity, and mechanism of action - all critical parameters for regulatory approval and clinical success. Independent project management and organizational skills are crucial given the complex, multi-step nature of antibody characterization studies that often involve coordinating multiple experimental approaches, managing timelines across different assays, and maintaining detailed documentation required for regulatory compliance.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with advanced imaging techniques and biomarker analysis would enhance capabilities in target engagement studies and pharmacodynamic assessments, particularly valuable for CNS applications where direct tissue access is limited Knowledge of regulatory requirements for biologics development and GLP practices would accelerate career progression toward senior roles and provide valuable context for designing studies that meet regulatory standards Computational skills for data analysis and modeling would complement the experimental expertise and align with industry trends toward more quantitative approaches to antibody optimization and pharmacological characterization

Unique Aspects

The combination of antibody discovery with in vivo pharmacology expertise in a neurological disease context represents a highly specialized skill set that is particularly valuable given the blood-brain barrier challenges in CNS drug development
Working with clinical-stage programs provides exposure to the complete drug development lifecycle from discovery through clinical trials, offering comprehensive learning opportunities not available in pure discovery organizations
Neurimmune's focus on neurodegenerative diseases positions employees at the forefront of one of medicine's most challenging and socially important therapeutic areas, with potential for significant impact on aging populations globally

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior roles within 2-4 years given the specialized nature of combined antibody discovery and in vivo pharmacology expertise, with acceleration possible through exceptional performance and additional training in project management or regulatory requirements.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Associate or Research Scientist positions with increased project leadership responsibilities and team management components Specialized roles in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics focusing on antibody ADME properties and clinical translation Business development or project management roles leveraging deep technical knowledge to evaluate partnership opportunities and manage external collaborations Regulatory affairs positions specializing in biologics development and FDA/EMA submission processes for antibody therapeutics

Company Overview

Neurimmune

Neurimmune represents a specialized clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded on pioneering research from the University of Zurich, focusing on developing antibody therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The company has established strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies and has multiple programs advancing through clinical development, positioning it as a notable player in the challenging neurological therapeutics space.

Neurimmune occupies a unique niche in the competitive biotechnology landscape by specializing in brain-penetrating antibodies for neurological disorders, an area where many larger pharmaceutical companies have struggled. Their clinical-stage status and partnership agreements provide stability while maintaining the innovation focus typical of smaller biotechnology companies.
Located in Schlieren near Zurich, Neurimmune benefits from Switzerland's exceptional biotechnology ecosystem, proximity to world-class research institutions, and access to the talent pipeline from ETH Zurich and University of Zurich. The location provides access to both European and global pharmaceutical networks while offering the regulatory advantages of Swiss biotechnology operations.
The company culture emphasizes scientific rigor and innovation within a collaborative environment that bridges academic research excellence with commercial biotechnology development. Employees typically experience a balance of intellectual challenge, professional development opportunities, and the mission-driven focus common to companies addressing significant unmet medical needs.
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