(StealthCo) Senior Scientist: Cell Pharmacology, Targeted Delivery Platform

Senior Scientist: Cell Pharmacology, Targeted Delivery Platform

About the role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and intellectually agile scientist to join our stealth-mode biotech company and drive screening and characterization of candidate molecules from our targeted delivery platform, which is built to reach a range of targets and tissues. This laboratory-based role will be responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro and ex vivo experiments that rank candidate molecules and support scientific decision-making.

The successful candidate will be mechanistically minded, able to connect experimental observations to underlying cell biology, build novel reproducible assays, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. The role sits at the interface of assay development, molecule design, CRO management, and in vivo pharmacology.

The position is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful development of new drugs for patients within an early-stage therapeutics company backed by highly regarded investors. Title and level will be set commensurate with experience.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute new cell-based assays to screen constructs against multiple targets, including transport across in vitro barrier models (transwell systems, primary and iPSC-derived cells, co-culture)

• Develop, optimize, and perform cell-based assays to evaluate the pharmacology of binders and AOC variants on a variety of phenotypic readouts including receptor binding, trafficking and transcytosis

• Culture and differentiate multiple cell lines and primary human cells using established and custom protocols

• Work within an integrated, cross-functional team to lead candidate optimization usingin vitroandin vivomodels to advance the program towards key decision points. 

• Translate and develop selected RNA-based and protein-based assays to supportin vivopharmacology studies 

• Manage CROs for reagent production, optimization and scale-up to supportin vitroandin vivostudies

• Mentor associates, keep detailed records, present findings in team meetings, and meet lab safety and quality standards

Qualifications:

Required:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field with 2+ years of industry experience, or a BS/MS with 6+ years and demonstrated independent program ownership

• Hands-on experience measuring transport across tight-junction barrier models in vitro/ in vivo, and an understanding of receptor-mediated transcytosis, uptake, and intracellular trafficking

• Proven tissue culture experience with human cell lines and primary human cells

• A track record building novel cell-based assays that moved a drug discovery program forward

• Practical expertise in nucleic acid assays (qPCR, RNA-seq) and protein-based assays (flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, high-content imaging), including DNA and RNA purification

• Scientific independence: owning a project, shaping its research plan, and becoming the internal expert on new targets and disease biology quickly

Preferred

• Experience measuring binding affinity and kinetics using biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays

• Expertise with antibody or other targeting protein engineering, including variant design, affinity maturation, and structure-activity relationships

• Experience with bioconjugate or targeted delivery modalities (ADC, ASC, AOC, or peptide and antibody carriers), or oligonucleotide therapeutics such as ASO or siRNA

• CNS experience, including hands-on work with neuronal cells, is not required but would be very welcome

What we offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, small-team environment with room to grow into broader program ownership
• The chance to shape a first-in-class CNS delivery program at an early-stage company backed by highly regarded investors

Location: Cambridge, MA