Drug Discovery Scientist, Translational Science

Algen Biotechnologies; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Algen Biotechnologies seeks a hands‑on Scientist to advance drug discovery programs through biochemical, cell‑based, and mechanistic assays. You will work closely with medicinal chemistry and cross‑functional teams to connect compound activity with target biology and translational readouts.

The role emphasizes bench work, assay development, and generating high‑quality data to inform hit identification, lead optimization, and development candidate selection. PhD with industry experience preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD with 2–3 years industry experience or MS/BS with 5–6 years industry experience in hands‑on drug discovery biology.
• Experience developing and executing biochemical and cell‑based assays from hit identification through lead optimization.
• Experience developing target‑engagement or pharmacodynamic biomarker assays and supporting preclinical sample analysis.
• Experience working with medicinal chemists to generate/interpret SAR data.
• Strong mammalian cell culture skills and assay troubleshooting.
• Experience using ELNs and data repositories to document experiments and links between compounds, assays, and data.

Responsibilities

• Optimize, troubleshoot, and execute biochemical and cell‑based assays to assess potency, selectivity, target engagement, and mechanism of action.
• Develop and implement screening and profiling assays through hit identification to lead optimization, generating SAR data.
• Build robust assay cascades with controls to distinguish on‑target activity from interference and cytotoxicity.
• Conduct mechanistic studies linking target modulation to signaling and cellular readouts.
• Support translational studies with biomarker assay development and analysis of samples.
• Contribute to preclinical study planning and ex vivo sample analysis to connect exposure and biology.
• Support assay transfer and CRO collaborations with protocol prep and data review.
• Document experiments in ELNs and maintain traceable data links between compounds and results.

Skills

Drug discovery

Assay development

Translational science

Mammalian cell culture

ELN data management

Data interpretation

Study design

Education

PhD with 2–3 years biotech/pharma industry

MS/BS with 5–6 years biotech/pharma industry

Tools

ELN software

Centralized data repositories

Flow cytometry

Immunoblotting

ELISA

qPCR

Imaging

Job description

Algen is an AI-native precision medicine company harnessing the power of CRISPR and functional genomics to transform drug discovery and development. A spin-out from the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Professor Jennifer Doudna, Algen was founded at the forefront of gene-editing innovation. We combine cutting-edge CRISPR technologies with advanced AI approaches to systematically modulate disease biology at scale and accelerate the path to effective treatments. Join us in redefining what's possible in AI-powered drug discovery.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Scientist to support drug discovery and translational science at Algen. This is a primarily bench-based role for a scientist with a PhD and 2–3 years, or an MS and 5–6 years, of relevant biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience and a strong track record of generating high-quality experimental data to advance drug discovery programs.

The successful candidate will develop and execute biochemical, cell-based, and mechanistic assays to support target validation, hit identification, hit-to-lead progression, lead optimization, and development candidate selection. Working closely with medicinal chemistry and cross-functional colleagues, this scientist will connect compound activity to target biology, mechanism of action, and translationally relevant readouts.

Responsibilities

• Optimize, troubleshoot, and execute biochemical and cell-based assays to assess compound potency, selectivity, target engagement, mechanism of action, and disease‑relevant functional activity.
• Develop and implement screening and compound‑profiling assays from hit identification through hit‑to‑lead and lead optimization, generating timely, reproducible data to support medicinal chemistry design‑make‑test‑analyze cycles, structure‑activity relationships (SAR), and compound prioritization.
• Build robust assay cascades using appropriate controls, counterscreens, and orthogonal readouts to distinguish on‑target activity from assay interference, nonspecific effects, and cytotoxicity.
• Conduct mechanistic studies to link target modulation to downstream signaling, cellular phenotypes, and pharmacodynamic responses.
• Support translational studies through biomarker assay development, analysis of cell and tissue samples, and evaluation of candidate biomarkers of target engagement, response, and resistance.
• Contribute to preclinical study planning and ex vivo sample analysis, helping connect exposure, target modulation, and biological activity.
• Support assay transfer and external studies with CROs through protocol preparation, internal bridging experiments, data review, and technical troubleshooting.
• Analyze concentration‑response data and assay performance; document experiments in electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), upload and curate assay results in centralized data repositories, and communicate results clearly at project‑team meetings.
• Contribute to laboratory operations, reagent and instrument maintenance, and a culture of scientific rigor, safety, collaboration, and timely execution.

Qualifications

• MUST HAVE: Relevant industry experience. PhD with 2–3 years, or MS/BS with 5–6 years, of biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry experience in hands‑on drug discovery biology.
• MUST HAVE: Drug discovery & Assay development. Experience developing and executing biochemical and cell‑based assays from hit identification through lead optimization, generating compound‑profiling data to guide SAR and compound prioritization.
• MUST HAVE: Translational science. Experience developing target‑engagement or pharmacodynamic biomarker assays and supporting preclinical sample analysis.
• Experience working closely with medicinal chemists to generate and interpret compound‑profiling data that informs SAR, hit‑to‑lead progression, or lead optimization.
• Strong mammalian cell culture skills and hands‑on experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting biochemical and/or cell‑based assays to support hit identification, hit‑to‑lead progression, and lead optimization.
• Experience using ELNs and centralized compound/assay data repositories to document experiments, upload and curate results, and maintain traceable links between compounds, assay conditions, and data.
• Proficiency in several relevant experimental methods, such as plate‑based activity assays, fluorescence or luminescence assays, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, ELISA, qPCR, or imaging.
• Ability to design well‑controlled experiments, analyze concentration‑response relationships, assess data quality, and draw sound mechanistic conclusions.
• Strong organization, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to manage parallel experiments and deliver reliable data against project timelines.

Preferred

• Data analysis and documentation: Experience analyzing concentration‑response data and using ELNs and centralized compound/assay data repositories to document experiments and maintain traceable, high‑quality data.
• Mechanistic biology: Experience investigating mechanism of action, response, using orthogonal assays and genetic perturbation approaches.
• Background in oncology and/or immunology.
• Experience contributing to IND‑enabling studies is preferred but not required.
• Experience with target‑engagement assays, quantitative protein measurements, enzyme kinetics, or orthogonal mechanism‑of‑action studies.
• Experience in translational biomarker development, PK/PD studies, or analysis of preclinical tissues and biological samples.