Principal Scientist, ADC Pharmacology

Callio Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant at hire

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Callio Therapeutics, Inc. in Seattle is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead pharmacology for novel dual-payload ADC projects. The role blends hands-on bench work (25–50%) with strategy development, project leadership, and oversight of external studies across Seattle, San Diego and Singapore.

The candidate will design experiments, manage CROs and vendors, and drive cross-functional data-driven decisions. A PhD with 5+ years or a Master’s with 8+ years is expected, with ADC discovery experience

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmacology, cell biology, cancer biology or related field with 5+ years industry experience preferred; Masters with 8+ years industry experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience with discovery ADC projects (in vitro and in vivo), preferably with novel payloads.
• Demonstrated high-impact publications and presentations to external audiences.
• Self-starter who thrives in lean, startup environments and can balance strategy with hands-on execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to work across time zones (Seattle/Singapore) with travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage pharmacology strategy to ensure data supports project decisions.
• Perform hands-on lab work (25-50%) focusing on in vitro/ex vivo ADC analysis and MOA characterization; design and troubleshoot assays.
• Manage external CROs, vendors, collaborators, and consultants through planning and reporting phases.
• Contribute as research expert on cross-functional project teams.
• Own project management for pharmacology deliverables: timelines, budgets, resources; proactively raise issues.
• Oversee multiple programs in a fast-paced, lean environment.

Skills

Communication skills

Self-starter

Project leadership

Education

PhD in pharmacology or related field

Masters in related field with 8+ years experience

Job description

With offices in Seattle, San Diego, and Singapore, Callio Therapeutics is developing next-generation, multi-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) designed to improve outcomes for people with cancer. Backed by leading life-sciences investors and led by a highly experienced ADC team of experts, Callio is advancing differentiated payload and linker technologies, progressing its HER2-targeted dual-payload ADC in the clinic, while leveraging their unique platform to build a broader pipeline of innovative dual-payload ADC programs.

About the Role

Reporting to the Vice President, Research, Callio is seeking a hands-on Principal Scientist in our Seattle location to help contribute to strategy for and manage the pharmacology for novel dual payload ADC projects. In this independent role, the successful candidate will spend approximately 25-50% of their time at the bench generating data balanced with helping develop pharmacology strategy, project leadership, and oversight of external studies, working closely with and managing external vendors, research collaborations, as well as colleagues across Seattle, San Diego and Singapore.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributing to and managing execution of the pharmacology strategy to help ensure appropriate data generation needed to support project decision making
• Hands on lab work (25-50% of time) focused primarily on in vitro/ex vivo ADC analysis and MOA characterization; independently design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze and interpret experiments and develop new assays as needed
• Management of external CROs, vendors, collaborators and consultants through planning, contracting, execution and reporting phases
• Contribution to cross-functional project teams as the research expert
• Own project management for pharmacology deliverables: build and maintain timelines, budgets, resource plans and proactively elevate issues
• Manage multiple programs simultaneously in a fast-paced, resource-lean environment

Qualifications and Technical Skills

• PhD in pharmacology, cell biology, cancer biology or related field with 5+ years industry experience preferred. Masters in similar disciplines with 8+ years industry experience or equivalent education and experience
• Experience with discovery ADC projects (both in vitro and in vivo), prefer novel payload experience
• Demonstrated expertise shown with high impact publications and presentations to external audiences
• Self-starter who thrives in a lean, start-up environment, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution and who is comfortable growing their skill set to take on new challenges outside of their area of expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to work effectively across time zones (Seattle/Singapore) with some travel as needed

Technical skills

• Hands on experience performing in vitro characterization assays including but not limited to:cytotoxicity and potency, internalization and trafficking, bystander killing (co-culture and conditioned-medium transfer), serum and linker stability
• Experience with in-depth mechanism of action studies and validation of payload MOA
• Familiarity with exposure response and dose response assessments
• Familiarity with in vivo study design and analysis
• Experience designing and analyzing results from NHP tolerability and TK studies
• Experience managing external CROs, particularly in Asia

The anticipated salary range for this position is $155,930 to $176,488. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. In addition to base salary, the hired applicant will be eligible to receive an annual bonus and an equity grant at hire in the form of the option to purchase stock in the future for a specified price.

What Callio Therapeutics Offers

Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package

• A high-impact role in a lean, innovative, and collaborative biotechnology company
• The opportunity to shape pharmacology strategy and execution for potentially transformative cancer therapies.