Principal Biologist

Proxima; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Boston seeks a PhD-level scientist to design and execute cell-based pharmacology assays evaluating proximity-inducing compounds, manage CRO relationships, and run high-priority experiments in-house.

You will build disease-relevant cellular models, develop quantitative readouts, and collaborate with computational teams to guide ML-driven data generation, preparing data packages for internal decisions and partnerships.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant life science field and strong hands-on experience.
• 3–8 years post-PhD in biotech/pharma drug discovery, especially proximity biology
• Hands-on expertise in designing cell-based pharmacology assays
• Experience with quantitative cellular techniques and proteomics-based approaches
• Proven ability to bridge computational predictions with experimental validation

Responsibilities

• Design and execute cell-based pharmacology assays for proximity-inducing compounds.
• Manage CRO relationships and run critical in-house experiments.
• Characterize activity profiles including dose-response, kinetics, and SAR at cellular level.
• Build and validate disease-relevant cellular models for target validation.
• Develop quantitative readouts: imaging, flow cytometry, reporter systems, multiplexing.
• Collaborate with computational scientists to guide ML-driven predictions and data priorities.
• Prepare data packages for BD/partnership discussions and due diligence.

Skills

cell biology

pharmacology

molecular biology

data presentation

biology collaboration

Education

PhD in cell biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, or related discipline

Tools

AlphaLISA/HTRF

NanoBRET

Western blot

ELISA

proteomics (TMT, data analysis)

high-content imaging

flow cytometry

Job description

Responsibilities

• Design and execute cell-based pharmacology assays to evaluate proximity-inducing compounds (degraders, molecular glues, stabilizers)
• Manage CRO relationships for outsourced assays and run high-priority experiments in-house
• Characterize compound activity profiles: dose-response, kinetics, selectivity, mechanism of action, and SAR at the cellular level
• Build and validate disease-relevant cellular models (engineered cell lines, primary cells, co-culture systems) for target validation and translational pharmacology
• Develop and optimize quantitative assay readouts including high-content imaging, flow cytometry, reporter systems, and multiplexed approaches
• Collaborate with computational scientists and the XLMS platform team, providing biological feedback to improve ML model predictions and data generation priorities
• Prepare data packages for internal decision-making, BD/partnership discussions, and due diligence

Requirements

• PhD in cell biology, pharmacology, molecular biology, or a related discipline
• 3–8 years of post-PhD experience in a biotech or pharma drug discovery environment, ideally in proximity biology, targeted protein degradation, or molecular glue programs
• Deep hands‑on expertise in designing and executing cell‑based pharmacology assays (degradation assays, ternary complex formation, ubiquitination, reporter systems)
• Experience with quantitative cellular techniques: high‑content imaging, flow cytometry, AlphaLISA/HTRF, NanoBRET, Western blot, ELISA, and/or proteomics‑based approaches (TMT, global proteomics)
• Track record of working at the interface of computational predictions and experimental validation
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, resource‑constrained environment where you own the experimental design end to end
• Strong scientific communication skills; able to present data clearly to computational and medicinal chemistry and biology audiences.