It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing! Reporting to the R&D Director, the Computational Protein Engineer will be a critical, hands-on contributor, leveraging state-of-the-art computational methods—including machine learning (ML) and physics-based simulations—to drive the design and optimization of enzymes and antibodies. This role is central to our R&D objectives, focusing on improving key properties such as stability, expression, affinity, enzymatic activity, and solubility of our high-value reagents. The role holder will take responsibility for the management of their own R&D projects and proactively work towards their completion within agreed timeframes. The opportunity to execute protein expression and/or protein characterization will also be provided. Key Duties and Responsibilities The successful candidate will be responsible for the execution and leadership of computational protein engineering projects, including: Computational Duties Protein Optimization: Utilize both machine-learning and physics-based simulation methods to rationally design and improve the properties (stability, activity, solubility, affinity, etc.) of novel enzyme and antibody reagents. Predictive Model Development: Take experimental high-throughput screening (HTS) data for antibody and enzyme mutants and design robust predictive models for generating novel, high-value mutants using a Bayesian optimization approach. Molecular Simulation: Design, execute, and analyze classical molecular simulation (Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo) studies to probe protein dynamics and interaction mechanisms. Force Field Development: Customize or create small molecule force fields for accurate computational studies of non-covalent interactions between small molecules and antibodies, and for investigating transition states in enzyme-substrate complexes. Pipeline Development: Develop, validate, and maintain high-performance computational workflows and pipelines for protein design. Research and Development Tasks New Product Development: Contribute to the development and launch of new products in conformance with the Neogen NPI Process, including developing timelines and liaising with Product Managers. Troubleshooting & Optimization: Troubleshoot and optimize computational and experimental assay designs as required. Record Keeping: Maintain excellent, detailed records of all computational models, simulation parameters, and results using an electronic lab notebook system. Interdepartmental Collaboration: Actively liaise with R&D teams (Biochemical, Molecular Biology, etc.) to integrate computational designs with experimental data in a robust, iterative design-build-test-learn cycle. General Reporting: Present research findings, methodologies, and progress to the Research Director and other R&D leadership. Documentation: Prepare all relevant documentation, including technical reports, protocols, and SOPS for computational workflows. Scientific Support: Provide expert scientific support to other departments and teams as needed. Come Be Part Of A Mission that Matters! From inside the farm gate to our dinner plates, Neogen protects the world’s food supply. Through a variety of animal healthcare products, to food safety solutions for dangerous bacteria, allergens, toxins, drug residues and much more, Neogen is there — and you can be too. At Neogen, we are extremely proud of our record of sustained growth, as well as our development and acquisition of advanced technology since our founding in 1982. Neogen has thrived — and will continue to thrive — because our employees thrive here.