Director, Screening & Automation - Lead Drug Discovery

Protagonist Therapeutics; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

401(k)

Flexible vacation policy

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Company lunch and snacks

Job summary

Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a Director of Automation & Screening to lead the new Screening and Automation team in Newark, CA. You will scale automated screening, develop target engagement assays, and drive adoption of automation technologies across biology, chemistry, and pharmacology.

The role requires a PhD and 10+ years in biotech/pharma with at least 5 years in leadership, plus hands-on automation and team development experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, biochemistry, or engineering required.
• 10+ years in pharma/biotech with 5+ years in leadership.
• Hands-on lab automation with liquid handlers and robotics.
• Develop and optimize cell-based and biochemical assays.
• Experience with data analysis and visualization tools.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience with LIMS and large-scale data management.
• Track record of implementing automation to advance drug discovery.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, mentor, and lead a screening and automation team.
• Develop strategies for laboratory automation to support pipelines.
• Scale screening campaigns and target engagement assays.
• Identify and implement new automation tech and workflows.
• Ensure data quality and reproducibility.
• Maintain and service automation equipment.
• Collaborate across biology, chemistry, and pharmacology teams.

Skills

People leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Cell-based assays

Biochemical assays

Laboratory automation

High-throughput screening

Acoustic handling

High-content imaging

LIMS

Vendor management

Team development

Education

PhD in biology/biochemistry/engineering

Tools

Liquid handlers

Robotic systems

High-throughput screening instruments

Data visualization software

Job description

Protagonist Therapeutics is seeking a Director of Automation & Screening to lead the new Screening and Automation team in Newark, CA. You will scale automated screening, develop target engagement assays, and drive adoption of automation technologies across biology, chemistry, and pharmacology.

The role requires a PhD and 10+ years in biotech/pharma with at least 5 years in leadership, plus hands-on automation and team development experience.