MASTER THESIS STUDENT 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 Master student to join our Biology team for a 6–12 month Master thesis project in the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a focus on bispecific antibody therapeutics.

In this project, you will support the design, engineering, and functional characterization of next-generation antibody-based molecules, including bispecific and immunomodulatory formats. Your work will contribute to the preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic candidates. You will apply state-of-the-art techniques in molecular cloning, protein expression, and purification, and perform a range of in vitro assays (e.g., T cell activation, cytotoxicity, flow cytometry) to assess biological activity. During the project, you may also be exposed to in vivo testing of selected candidates in relevant models to evaluate translational potential.

This thesis project offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an industrial biotech setting while being embedded in a translational research framework.

Your Tasks

• Assist in the generation of bispecific antibody constructs using molecular biology approaches
• Produce and purify antibody-based molecules in mammalian expression systems
• Perform in vitro functional assays (immune cell assays, reporter systems, binding assays, cytotoxicity)
• Analyze experimental data and contribute to troubleshooting and optimization
• Present results regularly within the internal team meetings
• Collaborate closely with internal experts and academic supervisors

Your Profile

• Currently enrolled in a master’s program in Immunology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
• Strong interest in cancer immunotherapy and therapeutic antibody development
• Some practical experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, or cell culture is a plus
• Familiarity with flow cytometry or immune assays is desirable but not required
• Eagerness to learn, good organizational skills, and a proactive mindset
• Very good command of English (written and spoken)

What we offer

• Contract Type: 6-12 months (Master Thesis Project, Full Time)
• Start Date: Q3/Q4 2025 (flexible start date possible)
• A focused and dynamic Master thesis project in a translational biotech environment
• Access to cutting-edge research infrastructure and expert mentoring
• Integration into an active R&D team working on next-generation immunotherapies
• Opportunity to gain real-world insights into drug discovery and antibody engineering
• A collaborative and supportive scientific atmosphere

How to Apply

Please submit your application including:

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

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