Post Doc - Immunology

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

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a scientist to lead the development of a precision senolytic approach targeting fibrotic lung disease. You will establish senescence models spanning primary human cells, iPSC-derived cells, and in vivo fibrosis models, and identify markers to distinguish pathological senescent cells from healthy tissue.

You will engineer immune-based strategies to selectively eliminate senescent cells, evaluate efficacy in human tissue and in vivo models, and collaborate across

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Aging Biology or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience with cellular senescence and fibrosis or aging biology.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independence.

Responsibilities

• Establish and characterize models of cellular senescence relevant to fibrotic lung disease across primary human cells, iPSC-derived cells and in vivo models.
• Identify and validate cell-surface markers distinguishing pathological senescent cells from healthy tissue with safety considerations.
• Develop immune effector–based strategies to selectively eliminate senescent cells in the fibrotic lung.
• Evaluate senolytic efficacy and its impact on fibrosis in human tissue and in vivo models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners; present findings at conferences and publish as first author.

Education

PhD in Immunology

PhD in Cell Biology

PhD in Molecular Biology

Aging Biology

Publication-driven research

Job description

Role:

Your work will contribute to establishing a precision senolytic approach that selectively eliminates pathological senescent cells in the fibrotic lung while sparing healthy tissue.

In this role, you will:

• Establish and characterize models of cellular senescence relevant to fibrotic lung disease, spanning primary human cells, iPSC-derived cells, and in vivo fibrosis models.
• Identify and validate cell-surface markers that distinguish pathological senescent cells from healthy tissue, prioritizing candidates with a favorable safety profile.
• Develop and engineer immune effector–based strategies to selectively eliminate senescent cells in the fibrotic lung.
• Evaluate senolytic efficacy and its impact on fibrosis across disease-relevant human tissue and in vivo models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external academic partners, present findings at major scientific conferences, and publish as first author.

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Aging Biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience with cellular senescence and at least one of: fibrosis, aging biology, immunology, therapeutic modality engineering (e.g., cell therapy, antibody, or protein engineering), or analytical approaches such as proteomics or single-cell analysis.
• Strong publication record demonstrating scientific productivity and independence.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Self-directed, motivated, and pursuing research/publication goals.
• Excellent oral/written communication and presentation skills; strong publication record.
• Interest/background in cellular senescence, fibrosis biology, translational drug discovery, and relevant cellular/in vivo models.
• Hands-on immunology/immune cell biology; experience with therapeutic modality development; proteomic/transcriptomic/high-parameter single-cell and imaging approaches; human iPSC culture/directed differentiation; disease-relevant human tissue and/or in vivo fibrosis models; strong multi-modal analytical skills.

Application/Eligibility:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States full-time; Lilly will not provide sponsorship for visas/work authorization.
• Not permanent; requires US citizenship or permanent resident status; fixed duration of two years (potential to extend to three years, up to four).