Associate Principal Scientist – Preclinical Research

Jobtailor; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a senior leader to drive R&D activities in molecular biology and gene delivery. You will oversee a team performing experiments, assay design, and reagent production, while guiding preclinical discovery projects and aligning cross-functional objectives.

The role emphasizes leadership, hands-on molecular biology, and the evaluation of cutting-edge technologies to advance IND-enabling studies in a startup environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 2 years of biotechnology industry experience.
• Expertise with advanced molecular biology techniques, assay development, and implementation.
• Experience with gene delivery to primary T-cells via lentiviral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and AAV.
• Proven leadership and management capabilities in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and via scientific presentations.
• Desire to join a growing early-stage organization using cutting-edge science.
• Flexibility to evaluate new technologies beyond current expertise.
• Experience mentoring junior team members and managing direct reports in biotech.
• Experience with in vivo studies and IND-enabling efforts for CAR-T therapies.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team responsible for R&D experiments, assay design and implementation, and reagent production
• Support preclinical discovery projects by designing and executing critical laboratory experiments
• Oversee planning, execution, and interpretation of team laboratory work according to program timelines
• Identify resources needed to meet discovery research objectives, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and space
• Collaborate with cross-functional peers and senior management to set objectives, align teams, communicate results and project status, and meet company objectives
• Contribute to process improvements and implementation of new technologies as a molecular biology and gene delivery subject matter expert
• Collaborate with Cellular Immunology, Pharmacology, CMC, and other departments to establish the product pipeline and support preclinical IND-enabling studies
• Oversee assays assessing novel and existing platforms

Skills

PhD in Molecular Biology

Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques

Gene Delivery Methods

Leadership And Management Skills

Assay Development And Implementation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or another similar field

Tools

Lentiviral Vectors

Lipid Nanoparticles

AAV

In Vivo Studies

IND-Enabling Studies

Job description

• Manage a team responsible for R&D experiments, assay design and implementation, and reagent production
• Support preclinical discovery projects by designing and executing critical laboratory experiments
• Oversee planning, execution, and interpretation of team laboratory work according to program timelines
• Identify resources needed to meet discovery research objectives, including personnel, equipment, supplies, and space
• Collaborate with cross-functional peers and senior management to set objectives, align teams, communicate results and project status, and meet company objectives
• Contribute to process improvements and implementation of new technologies as a molecular biology and gene delivery subject matter expert
• Collaborate with Cellular Immunology, Pharmacology, CMC, and other departments to establish the product pipeline and support preclinical IND-enabling studies
• Oversee assays assessing novel and existing platforms

Requirements

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, or another similar field
• At least 2 years of biotechnology industry experience
• Demonstrated expertise with advanced molecular biology techniques, assay development, and implementation
• Demonstrated experience with methods enabling gene delivery to primary T-cells, including lentiviral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, and AAV
• Strong leadership and management skills with a track record of achievement
• Ability to operate in cross-functional collaborative environments
• Ability to clearly communicate in writing and via scientific presentations
• Desire to be part of a growing early-stage organization using cutting-edge science
• High flexibility to support evaluation of new technologies, potentially outside existing expertise
• Ability to learn and guide junior team members in evaluating and developing technologies
• Prior management of direct reports in the biotechnology industry preferred
• Hands-on experience with gene delivery technologies preferred
• Prior experience in a fast-paced start-up biotechnology company preferred
• Experience designing and executing in vivo studies in murine and non-human primate models preferred
• Experience supporting IND-enabling studies for CAR-T related therapies preferred

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in advanced molecular biology techniques and gene delivery methods, with a strong focus on assay development and implementation. Proven leadership in managing R&D teams and collaborating across functions to drive preclinical discovery projects and support IND-enabling studies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• PhD In Molecular Biology
• Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques
• Gene Delivery Methods
• Leadership And Management Skills
• Assay Development And Implementation

Hard Skills

• Assay Design
• Gene Delivery Technologies
• Lentiviral Vectors
• Lipid Nanoparticles
• AAV
• In Vivo Studies
• IND-Enabling Studies
• Molecular Biology Techniques
• Laboratory Experiment Execution
• Process Improvement

Soft Skills

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Clear Communication
• Mentoring Junior Team Members
• Flexibility
• Achievement Orientation

Industry Keywords

• Biotechnology Industry
• Preclinical Discovery
• Cellular Immunology
• Pharmacology
• CMC
• CAR-T Therapies
• Start-Up Environment
• Research And Development
• Product Pipeline
• Team Management