Immunology Discovery Director & Lead Scientist

PsiThera, Inc.; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & benefits package

401k match

Equal Opportunity Employer

Impactful therapeutics development

Job summary

PsiThera, Inc. is seeking an experienced drug discovery biologist to lead inflammation and immune signaling programs from hit identification through DC nomination and IND submission. You will run the research plan, lead a program team, and remain lab-focused while guiding strategy and milestones.

The role blends hands-on science with leadership, building assays, conducting critical experiments, and mentoring others to drive major program milestones in a fast-paced biotech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology or related field with 12+ years biotech/pharma drug discovery experience, or MS with 16+ years equivalent experience.
• Track record of advancing small molecules from hit identification to DC selection as team lead or lead biologist.
• Hands-on experience in hit finding, screening assay development, HTS or DEL campaigns, hit triage and confirmation.
• Prior people management experience and leadership of cross-functional project teams.
• Hands-on expertise with primary human immune cells and whole blood, and building assay cascades for screening, SAR and MOA.
• Broad knowledge of in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation and autoimmunity, with experience in PK/PD studies.

Responsibilities

• Program team leadership: create/update research operating plans, budget management, risk assessment and contingency planning.
• Secure cross-functional alignment and organizational support for program plans.
• Lead multidisciplinary program teams and meet goals, milestones, and timelines.
• Define stage-gate success criteria and timelines; advise leadership on resource allocation and go/no-go decisions.
• Manage CRO partnerships across biology activities including study design, data quality and delivery.
• Strategic alignment: shape validation of targets and scientific strategy for immunology portfolio; advise leadership.
• Engage external experts to pressure-test hypotheses and inform business decisions.
• Present program progress to senior leadership and partners.

Skills

Immunology expertise

Team leadership

Project leadership

Hands-on lab work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD in Immunology or related field

MS with 16+ years experience

Tools

Assay development

HTS/DEL campaigns

CRO management

Job description

PsiThera, Inc. is seeking an experienced drug discovery biologist to lead inflammation and immune signaling programs from hit identification through DC nomination and IND submission. You will run the research plan, lead a program team, and remain lab-focused while guiding strategy and milestones.

The role blends hands-on science with leadership, building assays, conducting critical experiments, and mentoring others to drive major program milestones in a fast-paced biotech environment.