Lead-Structural Assays

• Strategic Leadership & Division Management
  
  
  
  • Define strategic direction, capabilities, and growth roadmap for the structural assays division identify which assays/characterization services/techniques to offer (e.g. HOS by CD, Fluorescence, nanoDSC,FT-IR, Intact mass, peptide mapping, PTM analysis by HRMS, capillary electrophoresis, aggregate analysis by SEC-MALS, binding kinetics by SPR etc.) consistent with demand and resources
  
  
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    Recruit, mentor, and lead a cross-functional team (biophysicists, protein scientists, analysts, lab technicians), foster team development and ensure high performance.

  
  
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    Oversee resource planning: instrumentation, consumables, lab maintenance, compliance (GLP, ISO/NABL, FDA where relevant).

  
  
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    Manage budgets, cost-recovery, profitability, and business metrics for the division.

  
  
  
  


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  Scientific & Technical Oversight

  
  
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    Oversee and ensure quality of structural characterization assays(full list here -
    

  
  
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    Ensure all assays are validated (or validated where applicable) under GLP/ISO 17025 compliance regime; maintain robust SOPs and documentation. Regulatory awareness

  
  
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    Collaborate with quality and project management teams to support biosimilar/biologic development pipelines from early characterization to release testing or comparcanability batches.

  
  
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    Drive continuous improvement: adopt new and orthogonal methods, stay updated on latest structural/biophysical technologies, evaluate addition of new assays or instrumentation.

  
  
  
  



• Project & Client Management
  
  
  
  • Serve as scientific interface for clients (startups, industry or academia), understand their characterization needs, propose assay strategies, timelines and deliverables.
  
  
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    Oversee project planning, prioritization, method development or method adaptation, scheduling, delivery timelines, and client communication.

  
  
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    Ensure documentation, reporting, and data integrity for each project; ensure compliance with GLP, QA, and accreditation requirements (e.g. NABL / ISO standards, as relevant to CBA).

  
  
  
  


• Team Development & Capacity Building
  
  
  
  • Mentor junior scientists/analysts, plan training (internal or external), and build in-house expertise over time.
  
  
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    Facilitate standardization of methods, knowledge sharing, lab-best practices, troubleshooting framework, backlog management.Contribute to business development: collaborate on proposals, support outreach to potential clients/startups, help define service packages and pricing.

  
  
  
  


• Quality, Compliance, and Governance
  
  
  
  • Ensure lab operations follow GLP, QA procedures, safety protocols, and standards needed for accreditation.
  
  
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    Implement robust data management, documentation, change control, SOP review, instrument validation/calibration, audit readiness.

  
  
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    Establish metrics for lab performance, turnaround time (TAT), service quality, customer satisfaction, instrument utilization.

  
  
  
  

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  Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Structural Biology / Biochemistry / Biophysics / Protein Chemistry / Biotechnology or related field.



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  Significant experience (ideally 8 15+ years) in structural biology, protein characterization, biopharma analytics or biologics development including hands-on experience with techniques like mass spectrometry, CD/FTIR/fluorescence spectroscopy, DSC, size-exclusion, glycan analysis, SPR.



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  Proven track record of building or managing a structural/biophysical or bioanalytical lab/division (or equivalent leadership roles) team management, budgeting, project management.



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  Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, QC/QA, validation methods, GLP workflows, and documentation norms (particularly relevant for GLP-compliant testing services).



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  Excellent problem-solving skills, ability to troubleshoot complex scientific assays, manage multiple projects, and deliver under deadlines



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  Good communication and client-facing skills able to liaise with external stakeholders (startups, industry, academia), explain technical aspects, draft proposals, and translate client requirements into assay strategies.



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  Strong organizational skills, ability to manage resources (instruments, consumables, lab personnel), and maintain documentation, QA/QC compliance.
  
  
  
  

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

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  Prior experience working in a CRO, biopharma lab, or characterization services environment.



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  Experience in biosimilar characterization, comparability studies, regulatory-compliant analytics.



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  Familiarity with business development for lab services, cost-recovery models, client engagement, and service-oriented delivery.



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  Publication record (for credibility); experience in cross-functional collaboration (with upstream process development, regulatory, formulation teams).

General requirements and expectations from Venture Center employees:

• Venture Center is a non profit organization with aim to benefit society by promoting entrepreneurs and start ups. Thus, Venture Center seeks employees and consultants with a strong interest and passion in seeing technology innovators, entrepreneurs, and start ups succeed, and a strong "service" ethos.


• A strong feature of Venture Center jobs is the rich learning environment and opportunity provided to employees to experiment, take initiative and be creative. The work of most employees has visible impact which can be satisfying. All employees benefit from access to high quality facilities and work environmentspensation packages can be flexible but are often conservative due to Venture Center s non profit status.


• General requirements include: a) strong ethical standards and work ethics, b) comfort with computers, computer applications and internet, c) strong communication skills spoken and written.


• Venture Center s working hours are 9.30 AM 5.30 PM ( to Saturday) and are designed to keep operations of Venture Center convenient for the start ups, entrepreneurs, inventors and others that the organization serves. Managers in certain functions are provided the opportunity to avail of flexible hours. All jobs are located at Pune, Maharashtra, India


• Our Company is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or parental status.