Bioconjugation Chemist
Quick facts
- Pay
- $65,000 - $92,000 per year
- Type
- Full-time
- Location
- Rockville, Maryland
- Background
- PhD
- Industry
- Research and Science — 76 open jobs
- Visa in listing
- H-1B
- Apply
- Free to apply — never pay anyone for a job offer or visa sponsorship
Job description
Celnovte Biotechnology is an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) company based in Rockville, Maryland. We are seeking a talented Bioconjugation Scientist to join a growing R&D initiative focused on advanced antibody conjugation technologies and multiplex immunofluorescence products. The successful candidate will work on the development and preparation of customized antibody conjugates, including protein-protein and protein-oligonucleotide conjugates, and will contribute to the development and translation of new assays onto Celnovte's fully automated staining platforms.
Company Website: https://www.celnovte.com/
Responsibilities
- Prepare and characterize protein-protein and protein-oligonucleotide conjugates.
- Purify and analyze conjugates using chromatographic techniques, including size-exclusion chromatography.
- Develop and perform analytical assays for process monitoring and quality control of protein conjugation.
- Optimize conjugation, purification, and formulation processes for improved reproducibility and performance.
- Support implementation of developed assays and reagents on Celnovte's fully automated instrument platforms.
- Analyze experimental data, troubleshoot technical issues, and design follow-up experiments.
- Prepare technical reports and present experimental results during team meetings.
- Assist with process development, method transfer, and SOP preparation.
- Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in accordance with established SOPs and quality requirements.
- Record R&D and production-related data clearly and accurately.
- Coordinate assigned projects and experimental activities across multiple team members when needed.
Minimum Requirement
Ms. degree or PhD degree in Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or related field, with excellent understanding of organic chemistry and chromatographic techniques. At least preliminary experience with bioconjugation chemistry is required. With solid background, A successful candidate is expected to master bioconjugation related skills within the first year. The candidate must be familiar with GE AKTA system and UNICORN software and size exclusion chromatography.
Requirements:
Master's with 3 years of related industry lab experience or PhD in the related fields with sufficient lab experience
Preferred experience:
Proficiency in the following assays is preferred: Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, Western-Blot. Proficiency in protein purification by the GE AKTA FPLC system. Experience working in a life science manufacturing environment is required, with knowledge of developing and following SOPs.
Salary depends on experience. We are able to sponsor H-1B VISA!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $65,000.00 - $92,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education: Master's (Required)
Experience: GE AKTA: 1 year (Preferred)
Bioconjugation: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Visa sponsorship record
No public sponsorship records foundWe didn't find H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 or green card (PERM) filings under the name Celnovte Biotechnology, Inc. in the Department of Labor and USCIS data. That doesn't mean the job can't be sponsored — the company may file under a different legal name, be new to sponsorship, or sponsor a visa that isn't in these datasets (for example H-2B or J-1).
Tip: ask the recruiter early, in writing, which visa they sponsor and whether they cover the legal and filing fees.
Which visas can work for this job
Occupation: Chemists (SOC 19-2031) — estimated from the job title.
- Mentioned in the listing
H-1B
- H-1B cap-exempt employer
Regular cap-subject employer — a new H-1B needs to win the lottery in March (unless you already hold cap-counted H-1B status).
- TN (citizens of Canada and Mexico)
This kind of role may fit the USMCA profession “Scientist (Chemist, Physicist, Geologist and others)” — it depends on the actual duties. No lottery, no cap; you need the matching degree or license.
- E-3 (Australia) and H-1B1 (Chile, Singapore)
Same degree requirement as H-1B, but no lottery and a separate quota that is rarely filled.
- O-1 (extraordinary ability)
For candidates with awards, publications, press, a high salary or critical roles at distinguished organizations. No cap, no lottery; the employer files a petition.
- STEM OPT extension (F-1 students)
Requires an E-Verify employer. We didn't find this company in the E-Verify list — ask HR.
Salary vs prevailing wage
Below Level IChemists · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Annual prevailing wages set by the Department of Labor (OFLC).
| Level | Prevailing wage | H-1B lottery odds* |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | $94,786 | ~15% |
| Level II | $119,538 | ~31% |
| Level III | $144,310 | ~46% |
| Level IV | $169,062 | ~61% |
This job pays $65,000–$92,000 a year — below the Level I prevailing wage. For H-1B the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage, so the offer would have to go up.
* Odds are DHS projections for the FY2027 wage-weighted lottery (actual results vary by year and employer). Since the FY2027 cap season the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level I = 1 entry, II = 2, III = 3, IV = 4. The level is set by the offered wage against the prevailing wage for the occupation and worksite. Separately, a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US was announced in 2025; as of September 2026 a federal court ruling keeps it unenforceable while appeals continue — check the current status.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC disclosure data (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3 LCA, PERM), OFLC prevailing wage data, USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, E-Verify participating employers. Data loaded: LCA FY2024–FY2026, PERM, USCIS Data Hub, OFLC wages; updated 2026-10-03. Employers are matched by name, so records of companies with similar names can occasionally be mixed up. This is general information, not legal advice — talk to an immigration attorney about your case.