Principal Scientist - Translational Biology & Program Leadership

Job Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for biologics discovery programs across oncology, immunology, and autoimmune therapeutic areas.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional teams to advance 1–2 therapeutic programs from early discovery through candidate selection and IND-enabling studies.
• Drive program strategy, timelines, milestone planning, and data integration to support portfolio decision-making and development progression.
• Design and oversee complex ex vivo immune assays using human PBMCs, tumor digests, and tissue-derived immune cells to evaluate mechanisms of action, efficacy, and pharmacodynamic activity.
• Collaborate closely with antibody engineering, protein sciences, in vivo pharmacology, translational medicine, and biomarker teams to align scientific strategy and experimental execution.
• Lead mechanism-of-action and translational studies for T cell engagers, bispecifics, multispecific antibodies, ADCs, cytokine-based therapeutics, and other immunomodulatory modalities.
• Drive scientific innovation by introducing clinically relevant human model systems and emerging technologies to improve translational predictability.
• Present program updates, strategic recommendations, and key data packages to senior leadership, governance committees, and external collaborators.
• Mentor junior scientists and contribute to building a high-performing, collaborative scientific culture.
• Support preparation of regulatory documentation, scientific publications, patents, and IND-related material

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, or related discipline with 6+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional therapeutic programs from discovery through IND-enabling stages.
• Strong background in translational immunology, ex vivo human assay systems, and mechanistic pharmacology.
• Proven expertise in primary immune cell biology, ex vivo immune functional assays, and human tissue-based translational models.
• Deep understanding of tumor immunology, T cell biology, myeloid biology, and tumor microenvironment interactions.
• Experience leading biologics modalities including T cell engagers, bispecifics, multispecifics, ADCs, cytokine therapeutics, or related platforms.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence scientific strategy and effectively operate within matrixed discovery organizations.
• Experience mentoring scientists and managing collaborative research initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience serving as biology lead, translational lead, or program lead within a drug discovery organization.
• Experience contributing to IND-enabling studies, translational biomarker strategies, and early clinical planning.
• Proficiency with flow cytometry, high-content imaging, cytokine profiling platforms, and translational data analysis tools.
• Familiarity with FlowJo, Incucyte, Prism, and multiplex immune profiling technologies.
• Track record of scientific publications, patents, and external presentations in immunology or therapeutic discovery.
• Experience working with external collaborators, CROs, or strategic partners in support of discovery and development programs

Pay Range

The anticipated pay range for this position is $95,000 - $155,000.