Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Associate Principal Scientist to join our Discovery Oncology team in South San Francisco. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in oncology and drug discovery and will lead the conception, design, and execution of discovery-stage research programs. In this role, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to advance differentiated cancer therapies from target validation through early development.

Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and optimize in vitro and ex vivo assays to elucidate mechanisms of action and assess therapeutic potential.
• Make timely, data-driven decisions that balance innovation, risk, and experimental rigor.
• Communicate scientific strategy, rationale, and results clearly to internal teams and help build external scientific presence through publications, conference presentations, and collaboration.
• Drive ideation and early-stage discovery efforts to deliver competitive oncology programs, leveraging internal expertise and emerging technologies.

Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline with four (4) or more years of relevant oncology drug discovery experience.
• Required Experience and Skills:
  • Deep expertise in tumor biology and immune oncology, including cancer genomics and oncogenic signaling.
  • Broad technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods.
  • Extensive hands-on in vitro experience designing, executing, and analyzing multi-color flow cytometry and mechanistic cell-based assays (e.g., viability/cytotoxicity, cell cycle, signaling, and immune response readouts).
  • Demonstrated ability to drive innovative research, evidenced by high-impact publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of discovery programs.
  • Passionate, creative, and collaborative scientist committed to improving outcomes for people living with cancer.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive, team-oriented mindset, and strong leadership potential.
• Preferred Experience and Skills:
  • Hands-on experience with different therapeutic modalities (e.g., small molecules, mAbs, ADCs and TCEs).
  • Extensive hands-on experience designing, executing, and analyzing in vivo mouse model data to evaluate therapeutics.

Requirements

• As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
• We are committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.
• The salary range for this role is $159,600.00 - $251,200.00.
• This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.
• An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.