Director GPCR Discovery

Walker Cole International; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Walker Cole International is seeking a GPCR Biologist to lead target strategy across immunology, cardiometabolic and CNS programs, with responsibility for antigen design and functional pharmacology assays. The role involves collaboration with in-house engineering and ML teams to produce ML-ready datasets for AI-driven antibody discovery.

The successful candidate will demonstrate deep GPCR biology and pharmacology expertise, track record in antibody discovery against GPCRs, and an

Qualifications

• PhD in biochemistry, pharmacology, structural biology, or a related discipline.
• Extensive industry experience with GPCRs or membrane protein targets.
• Proven track record in antibody or biologics discovery against GPCRs.
• Entrepreneurial, independent worker in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead GPCR target strategy across immunology, cardiometabolic and CNS programmes.
• Design and deliver GPCR antigen strategies for immunisation and screening.
• Develop functional pharmacology assays to define mechanism of antibody leads.
• Collaborate with antibody engineering and ML teams to create ML-ready datasets.
• Select and manage CRO partners for expression, signalling screens and cryo-EM work.
• Act as the GPCR subject matter expert for target nomination and lead/candidate decisions.

Skills

GPCR biology

Pharmacology

Antibody discovery

AI-driven discovery

Membrane proteins

Leadership

Education

PhD in biochemistry/pharmacology/structural biology or related

Job description

Walker Cole International is exclusively supporting a well-funded, AI-driven antibody discovery organisation in the search for a GPCR Biologist (Principal Scientist through to Snr Director), based on-site in Irvine, California. This is a fantastic opportunity to join the business during a period of rapid growth following a significant funding round, taking ownership of GPCR target strategy and antigen enablement across the antibody pipeline while shaping how AI-driven design is applied to one of the most valuable and challenging target classes in drug discovery.

Your responsibilities as the GPCR Biologist will include:

• Lead GPCR target strategy across immunology, cardiometabolic and CNS programmes, translating receptor biology and pharmacology into clear antibody discovery plans.
• Design and deliver GPCR antigen strategies, including conformationally stabilised receptors and nanodisc, VLP and cell-based formats for immunisation and screening.
• Develop and run functional pharmacology assays (cAMP, β-arrestin, calcium flux, radioligand binding) to define the agonist, antagonist or allosteric mechanism of antibody leads.
• Partner with in-house antibody engineering and computational teams to generate high-quality, ML-ready datasets that feed directly into the company’s AI design platform.
• Select and manage CRO partners for receptor expression, signalling screens and structural work, including cryo-EM of antibody-receptor complexes, owning quality and timelines.
• Act as the company’s GPCR subject matter expert, contributing to target nomination, lead selection and candidate selection decisions.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• PhD in biochemistry, pharmacology, structural biology or a related discipline, with substantial industry experience on GPCR or other membrane protein targets.
• Deep expertise in GPCR biology and pharmacology, including G-protein and β-arrestin signalling, receptor conformational states and biased or allosteric modulation.
• A track record of enabling or advancing antibody or biologics discovery against GPCRs, from antigen design through to lead or candidate selection.
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial approach, comfortable working independently in a lean, fast-moving environment without large-company infrastructure.
• Genuine enthusiasm for AI- and data-driven discovery, ideally with experience collaborating with machine learning or computational teams.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, Irvine, California for an on-site role.

GPCR Biologist | GPCR Pharmacologist | Principal Scientist | Associate Director | Membrane Protein Science | Receptor Pharmacology | Antigen Design | Antibody Discovery | Biologics Discovery | Protein Sciences | Cryo-EM | Structural Biology | β-Arrestin | Cardiometabolic | Immunology | AI Drug Discovery