RA Capital

🧬 Industrial Placement Student – Antibody Discovery for Complex Targets

Location: Whittlesford, Cambridge, UK

Start Date: September 2026 | Duration: 12 months
Department: Research / Antibody Discovery

About Alchemab

Alchemab Therapeutics is a pioneering biotech company based in Cambridge, UK. We use a unique platform to identify novel drug targets and therapeutics by analysing antibody repertoires of patients who are resilient to disease. Our work spans neurodegeneration and oncology, built on a foundation of deep science, cutting-edge technology, and a passionate team committed to transforming lives.

Led by world-renowned scientist Dr. Jane Osbourn, our team is driven by four core values:

🧬 Think Patient First – Everything we do is rooted in positively impacting patients
🤝 Achieve As One – Collaboration and mutual support power our progress
💪 Embrace Responsibility – Every team member is empowered to make a difference
🌱 Create Something Enduring – We're building solutions for today and tomorrow

The Industrial Placement Programme

We’re looking for a highly motivated student to join us for a 12-month industrial placement. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge antibody discovery efforts while gaining hands-on experience across multiple specialist teams.

You’ll work on a dedicated project within a collaborative, cross-functional environment, with support from experienced scientists across Target ID, Protein Sciences, and Phage Display teams. Alongside your project work, you’ll receive mentoring and development support to build both your technical expertise and broader scientific skillset.

🔍 Project Title - Antibody Discovery for Complex Targets Using Phage Display and Antibody Screening

🧪 Project Overview

At Alchemab, we identify autoantibodies from resilient individuals who show reduced or absent disease progression despite significant risk. These antibodies can reveal novel biology and serve as starting points for therapeutic discovery. A key component of this process is the identification of both antibodies and their molecular targets.

This project will focus on antibody discovery using display technologies (e.g. phage display), contributing to the development of workflows for in vitro discovery against complex targets. As part of this, you will work with mammalian cell lines and tissue culture, execute phage display campaigns to isolate novel binders from antibody libraries, and explore strategies for presenting targets in screening-compatible formats. You will also have the opportunity to gain exposure to protein purification techniques.

Overall, the project will provide valuable hands-on experience and end-to-end insight into early-stage antibody discovery against complex targets, spanning mammalian cell culture, display technologies, and protein science approaches.

🎯 Project Goals

• Perform literature review to develop an understanding of therapeutic targeting and key considerations for target selection
  • Generate and prepare target antigens for phage display campaigns, using appropriate expression systems and antibody libraries
  • Execute phage display campaigns to isolate candidate binders from phage libraries
  • Screen and characterise isolated antibodies using relevant binding assays, and contribute to the development and optimisation of these assays where required

🧪 Techniques & Technologies You’ll Use

• 
  Mammalian cell culture and cell line generation
  • Flow cytometry
  • Molecular biology techniques
  • Microscopy
  • Protein purification techniques
  • Phage display
  • Sanger sequencing
  • Cell-based binding assays (e.g. flow cytometry, ELISA)

📘 What You’ll Learn

By the end of your placement, you will:

• Gain insight into end-to-end antibody discovery workflows
  • Develop practical skills in cell biology, protein science, and in vitro display technologies
  • Understand the challenges and strategies for targeting complex targets
  • Build experience in experimental design, troubleshooting, and data analysis
  • Learn how cross-functional teams collaborate in a biotech discovery setting
  • Develop scientific communication skills through presentations and project discussions

🌟 Why This Placement is Right for You

This project provides a unique opportunity to work on a highly relevant area of drug discovery by targeting complex targets using antibodies. You’ll gain interdisciplinary experience across multiple teams, contributing to the development of new workflows that expand Alchemab’s discovery capabilities. From generating target antigens to running phage display campaigns and analysing antibody hits, you’ll be involved across multiple stages of the early discovery process.

The project combines hands-on laboratory work with scientific problem-solving, enabling you to build both technical expertise and critical thinking skills. You will work at the core of antibody discovery, gaining experience with key methods used to identify, screen, and triage antibody candidates, and developing a strong understanding of how antibodies are progressed within a therapeutic pipeline.

You’ll also work in a collaborative, cross-functional environment, gaining insight into how different scientific disciplines integrate within a biotech company. Your work will contribute to establishing new approaches for targeting complex targets, representing a valuable opportunity to gain end-to-end exposure to antibody discovery while contributing to an emerging and strategically important area of research.

🧠 Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BSc in a biological or life sciences-related discipline
  • At least 1 year of undergraduate study completed at time of application
  • Strong interest in molecular biology, protein science, or antibody discovery
  • Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
  • Good communication and teamwork skills
  • Eligibility to work in the UK for the duration of the placement

🌿 Where You’ll Be Working

You’ll be based in Whittlesford, just south of Cambridge, in a state-of-the-art biotech facility with excellent transport links to Cambridge and London.

🎉 Connecting, Celebrating, and Giving Back

At Alchemab, we believe great science thrives in a strong, connected community. From social events to charity initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities to connect, have fun, and make a difference beyond the lab.

Please note

The successful candidate will be employed by SRG and based on-site at Alchemab Therapeutics. Candidate details will only be shared with SRG at offer stage, in line with data protection standards.

📅 Recruitment Process

• Application deadline: 8th May 2026
  • Application: Please apply via the link and include a cover letter outlining your interest in Alchemab and this placement opportunity
  • Screening: Applications will be reviewed by supervisors following the deadline
  • Interviews: Expected to take place between 18th –29th May (flexible window), ideally face-to-face where possible
  • Offers: Decisions and offers are expected to be finalised in early June