INDUSTRIAL PHD CANDIDATE CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY / BISPECIFIC ANTIBODIES (BIOLOGY GROUP)

About us

Philogen is a Swiss-Italian integrated biotechnology company founded in 1996, dedicated to developing innovative biopharmaceuticals for cancer therapy. Philochem AG is the discovery R&D center of the Philogen Group located in Otelfingen (Zurich, Switzerland). Promising preclinical candidates developed at Philochem are subsequently produced at Philogen’s authorized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities in Siena (Italy). The Company currently sponsors and coordinates Phase I, II and III prospective clinical trials in Europe and in the United States. Despite the focus on cancer research, the company is also active in discovering innovative therapies for inflammatory conditions.

Philochem operates with four key departments:

– Biology: Discovery of innovative therapeutic proteins.

– Cell Line Development: Development of GMP-ready mammalian cell lines expressing therapeutic proteins.

– Chemistry: Creating diagnostic and therapeutic targeted small organic molecules.

– Mass Spectrometry: Bridging Biology and Chemistry to support the advancement of preclinical and clinical products.

Your Role

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our Biology team as part of an industrial doctoral project in the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on bispecific antibody therapeutics.

In this position, you will contribute to the design, engineering, and characterization of next-generation antibody-based molecules, including bispecific and immunomodulatory formats. Your work will support the preclinical development of novel therapeutic candidates, with the goal of advancing them toward clinical translation. You will apply state-of-the-art techniques in molecular cloning, protein expression, and purification, and conduct a wide range of in vitro assays (e.g., T cell activation, cytotoxicity, flow cytometry) to evaluate biological activity. The project will also include testing selected candidates in an in vivo–relevant model to assess their translational potential. This PhD project is embedded in a collaborative framework between Philochem and a Partner University, combining academia with translational focus.

Your Tasks

• Design and generate bispecific antibody constructs using molecular biology approaches
• Produce and purify antibody-based molecules in mammalian expression systems
• Perform in vitro assays (immune cell assays, reporter systems, binding assays, cytotoxicity)
• Test selected candidates in an in vivo–relevant model
• Analyze data and contribute to experimental planning and troubleshooting
• Present findings regularly within the project team and at scientific meetings
• Collaborate with internal experts and academic supervisors across disciplines

Your Profile

• Master’s degree (MSc) in Immunology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
• Strong interest in cancer immunotherapy and therapeutic antibody development
• Hands-on experience in molecular cloning, cell culture, and protein biochemistry
• Familiarity with immune cell assays and flow cytometry is desirable
• Good communication skills, scientific curiosity, and a proactive mindset
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken)

What we offer

• A dynamic industrial PhD program at the interface of academic research and biotech innovation
• Access to cutting-edge infrastructure and an interdisciplinary research environment
• Strong mentoring from both industry and academic supervisors
• Opportunities to attend seminars and publish in peer-reviewed journals
• A vibrant, collaborative team working on next-generation immunotherapies

How to Apply

Please submit your application including:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• University transcripts
• Contact details of at least two referees

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please send your application to Dr. Abdullah Elsayed (E-Mail schreiben)