Principal Scientist, Bioinformatics

Legend Biotech USA, Inc.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 146,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave (8 weeks)

Employee equity

Job summary

Legend Biotech USA, Inc. is seeking a Principal Scientist, Bioinformatics in Somerset, NJ to lead AI-driven discovery for novel tumor targets and to design high-specificity binders for CAR-T therapies.

You will develop generative models and apply geometric deep learning to predict interactions and optimize binder properties, enabling safer, more effective therapies. The role emphasizes building agentic AI systems, integrating multi-omics data, and refining binders through structural biology

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in relevant field required.
• 3+ years in biotech/pharma or advanced research focusing on computational drug discovery, targets, and binder design.
• Expert programming and deep learning with Python and PyTorch.

Responsibilities

• AI-driven target discovery & agentic architecture for multi-omics data and literature to identify tumor targets.
• Generative AI model development to design novel binders and predict paratope-epitope interactions.
• Rational design and developability engineering to optimize binders for CAR-T signaling and reduce off-tumor risk.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

Generative AI

LLM orchestration

Deep learning

Geometric deep learning

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Structural Biology, or Biophysics

Tools

AlphaFold

ESMFold

RFdiffusion

ProteinMPNN

BindCraft

FoldFlow

GROMACS

AMBER

OpenMM

PyMOL

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T), T-cell receptor (TCR-T), natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting-edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Principal Scientist, Bioinformatics as part of the Research & Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

Legend Biotech is at the forefront of developing innovative cell-based therapies. We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Principal Scientist of Bioinformatics with focus on AI for Drug Discovery & Protein Engineering to join our multidisciplinary R&D team. In this role, you will be a key driver in development of generative AI models and agentic AI systems to discover novel disease targets.

Concurrently, you will apply geometric deep learning and structural biology principles to design and refine high-affinity binders (such as scFvs, VHHs, or novel scaffolds) specifically tailored for CAR‑T cell therapies.

Key Responsibilities

• AI-driven target discovery & agentic architecture.
  Architect and deploy agentic AI systems to mine multi-omic datasets, clinical literature, and biological pathways for novel, tumor-specific drug targets; Build predictive frameworks using transcriptomics and other datasets to evaluate target draggability and potential off‑tumor toxicity.
• Generative AI & model development
  Develop/adapt generative models (e.g., protein language models, diffusion models, and inverse folding algorithms) to design novel, highly specific binders for target tumor antigens; Model immune interfaces using advanced geometric deep learning to predict paratope-epitope interactions, ensuring high specificity and minimizing off‑tumor toxicity.
• Rational design, refinement & developability engineering
  Inspect AI-designed binders to fix physical anomalies, optimize hydrophobic packing and hydrogen bonding networks, and resolve steric clashes or backbone strain; Tune binder biophysical properties to achieve optimal CAR‑T signaling and prevent T‑cell exhaustion.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Structural Biology, or Biophysics.
• 3+ years of post-PhD experience (or 6+ years for MS/BS) in biotech/pharmaceutical industry or advanced research setting focusing on computational drug discovery, target identification, and antibody/binder design.
• Expert programming proficiency and deep learning frameworks in Python and primarily PyTorch.
• Experience building generative AI model, agentic AI systems utilizing LLM orchestration frameworks to query biomedical databases and literature.
• Deep familiarity with structural biology software including AlphaFold, ESMFold, RFdiffusion, ProteinMPNN, BindCraft, and FoldFlow.
• Proficiency in physics-based simulation and structural optimization/visualization tools (e.g., GROMACS, AMBER, OpenMM, PyMOL).
• Solid understanding of structural immunology; Expertise in interface biophysics, including the ability to calculate interface binding energies (ΔΔG), evaluate electrostatic surface potentials.
• Familiarity with foundational multi-omics platform datasets and target evaluation databases (e.g., TCGA, Open Targets, Human Protein Atlas, DepMap).

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The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$146,410—$192,164 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Work Authorization & Employment Eligibility

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E-Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I-9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.