Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist - Immunology (Program Lead) - EDDC

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore is seeking a highly motivated Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist to lead drug discovery programs in immunology. This role involves driving projects from target identification to preclinical development, with a focus on innovative therapeutic solutions.

The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in Immunology and significant experience in biotech/pharma settings. Responsibilities include managing teams, synthesizing complex data, and communicating effectively with external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of experience in biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
• Experience leading drug discovery programs.
• Familiarity with immune regulation mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Drive drug discovery programs in immunology.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to advance programs.
• Communicate program strategy effectively.

Skills

Immunology expertise

Leadership skills

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Immunology or related field

Job description

At Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC), we are dedicated to discovering and developing novel therapeutics through close collaboration with public sector institutions and industry partners. Drug discovery is a complex and resource‑intensive journey, and we harness AI and data‑driven strategies to improve the success rate of our programs. As part of our long‑term strategy, we initiate projects where confidence in the therapeutic targets is strengthened by insights from patient‑derived datasets. Like many biotech and pharmaceutical companies that are expanding into inflammation and immunology (I&I) disease areas, our approach reflects this growing trend and aims to deliver innovative solutions to address significant unmet medical needs in this area.

Senior Scientist / Principal Scientist – Immunology (Program Lead)

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Scientist to join our I&I discovery group. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in immunology, molecular biology, and translational research. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the team working on the discovery of novel therapeutics and engaging in preclinical drug development from target exploration to drug candidate selection within the I&I therapeutic space.

Principal Roles & Responsibilities

• Drive end‑to‑end drug discovery programs in immunology, from target identification through preclinical development, serving as a scientific program lead and key decision‑maker.
• Lead and integrate cross‑functional efforts across medicinal chemistry, antibody technologies, in vivo pharmacology, computational biology, and translational sciences to advance programs toward clinical readiness.
• Provide scientific and program leadership in identifying and validating novel therapeutic targets, with a strong emphasis on translational relevance in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
• Synthesize complex datasets into clear, actionable insights, and communicate program strategy, progress, and risks effectively to internal leadership and external stakeholders (including pharma partners, biotech collaborators, and investors/VCs).
• Represent programs in external engagements, confidently articulating scientific rationale, differentiation, and value proposition.
• Guide experimental strategy where appropriate (e.g., cell‑based assays, immune profiling, functional validation), while maintaining a focus on program‑level impact beyond experimental execution.
• Evaluate and shape external collaborations and partnerships, contributing scientific diligence and strategic alignment.
• Mentor scientists and foster a high‑performance, delivery‑oriented culture, with emphasis on scientific rigor, clarity of thinking, and communication.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related field, with ~8–12+ years of experience, including significant time in biotech or pharmaceutical settings.
• Demonstrated track record of leading drug discovery programs (or equivalent) with clear examples of progression across key stages of the pipeline.
• Deep expertise in immunology, including immune cell biology, cytokine signalling, and autoimmune disease biology.
• Strong understanding of translational science and preclinical‑to‑clinical strategy, including use and limitations of disease models.
• Experience working with primary human systems (e.g., PBMCs), and familiarity with mechanisms related to immune regulation and resolution.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence diverse audiences from technical teams to senior executives and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels, balancing big‑picture thinking with data‑driven decision making.
• Strong leadership presence, with the ability to align teams, drive decisions, and deliver outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Program Lead (or equivalent) in pharma/biotech, with exposure to portfolio governance and milestone‑driven development.
• Experience engaging with external stakeholders (e.g., BD partners, investors, or senior industry leaders).
• Familiarity with multi‑omics approaches and data integration to support target discovery and validation.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.