Principal Scientist: AI‑Driven Protein & Antibody Design

Xaira Therapeutics, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Xaira Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead AI‑driven protein engineering and developability efforts, integrating experimental methods with computational design. You will guide strategy, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with designers to optimize therapeutic proteins and antibodies.

This on‑site leadership role requires a Ph.D. with 6+ years in biotech, strong developability expertise, and a track record in protein design and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, or related field.
• 6+ years industry biotech/biopharma R&D in large-molecule programs.
• Hands-on protein engineering with antibodies and proteins using analytical methods.
• Experience with structure prediction tools and ML for protein design preferred.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Define scientific strategy for therapeutic programs in collaboration with Disease Biology and Therapeutic Protein Design teams.
• Identify structural/biological features with computational designers for AI-driven design campaigns.
• Lead binder discovery campaigns and prioritize screening strategies with internal teams.
• Collaborate with protein designers to optimize binder affinity, specificity, and developability.
• Serve as scientific lead in cross-functional meetings and communicate strategy to stakeholders.
• Design, produce, purify, and characterize therapeutic proteins including antibodies using chromatography and assays.
• Maintain accurate ELN records and contribute to technical reports and regulatory docs.
• Ensure compliance with lab safety and contribute to lab organization and efficiency.
• Stay current with advances in antibody engineering and protein design; mentor junior staff.
• Oversee CROs to ensure data quality and timely delivery.
• Help define and prioritize Protein Engineering project portfolio with leadership.

Skills

Protein engineering

Antibody formats

Developability assessments

ML for protein design

Leadership/mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Tools

PyMOL

AlphaFold

Job description

Xaira Therapeutics, Inc. is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead AI‑driven protein engineering and developability efforts, integrating experimental methods with computational design. You will guide strategy, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with designers to optimize therapeutic proteins and antibodies.

This on‑site leadership role requires a Ph.D. with 6+ years in biotech, strong developability expertise, and a track record in protein design and collaboration across teams.