Principal Scientist - Cellular Biology

Trimaren Human Capital Partners; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Biotech | Stealth Mode is seeking an accomplished leader to head the Cellular Biology function, bringing deep expertise in bone marrow biology and hematology to develop cell-based translational models of hematologic diseases.

This role will shape the scientific strategy, guide discovery portfolio decisions, mentor scientists, partner with cross-functional teams and CROs, contribute to regulatory filings, and contribute hands-on bench work as needed, initially ~50% time at bench.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of pharma/biotech experience with PhD in pharmacology, cell biology, hematology, molecular biology, or related discipline.
• 10+ years with MS and extensive relevant biopharma experience.
• Expert bone marrow biology and hematology with application to targeting hematologic diseases.

Responsibilities

• Lead cell-based models of hematologic diseases to enable pharmacodynamic understanding.
• Support selection and prioritization of clinical candidates.
• Shape discovery portfolio with bone marrow biology insights.
• Apply deep expertise to identify novel approaches for unmet needs in priority hematologic diseases.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure study execution and timely data delivery.
• Establish and manage external CRO partnerships and internal capabilities for assays and discovery.
• Contribute to regulatory filings, data interpretation, and publications.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists and foster rigorous, collaborative culture.
• Provide hands-on bench work initially (about 50%) and scale as the team grows.

Job description

Confidential Biotech | Stealth Mode

Confidential Biotech | Stealth ModeWe are partnering with a well-capitalized, stealth-stage biotechnology company developing a differentiated therapeutic platform with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs.

We are seeking an accomplished, creative, and highly collaborative scientist to lead the Cellular Biology function. The ideal candidate will bring deep scientific and technical expertise in bone marrow biology and hematology, coupled with extensive hands-on experience developing cell-based translational models of human hematologic diseases.

This leader will play a pivotal role in advancing the company's scientific strategy, generating high-impact data to shape the discovery portfolio, prioritize therapeutic candidates, and support the progression of programs into and through the clinic.

Responsibilities

Lead and foster high-performing internal and external teams responsible for developing and implementing cell-based models of human hematological diseases that:

• Enable deep understanding of the pharmacodynamic and mechanistic properties of our novel molecules.
• Support confident selection and prioritization of clinical candidates.
• Shape the future discovery and innovation portfolio.
• Help drive scientific strategy and shape the discovery portfolio by applying deep expertise in bone marrow biology and hematology to identify novel approaches for addressing unmet needs in priority hematological diseases.
• Partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure seamless study execution, timely data delivery, and strong alignment across the R&D pipeline.
• Establish and manage external CRO partnerships, innovation collaborations, and internal capabilities to enable therapeutic identification, candidate selection, and assay development.
• Contribute to regulatory filings, data interpretation, and scientific publications that support program objectives and portfolio decisions.
• Mentor and develop junior scientists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
• Provide hands-on scientific contribution at the laboratory bench as required, particularly during the initial build-out of the function; bench work is expected to represent approximately 50% of time initially and to decrease gradually as the team grows and matures.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience with a Ph.D. in pharmacology, cell biology, hematology, molecular biology, or a related discipline; or 10+ years of experience with an M.S. with extensive relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Expert technical and scientific background in bone marrow biology and hematology, with demonstrated application to the identification of novel druggable targets or therapeutic molecules.
• Extensive hands-on expertise developing cell-based models of genetically defined human hematological diseases.
• Proven track record of scientific leadership, people leadership, and project management, including experience leading cross-functional and collaborative projects.
• Experience contributing to regulatory filings and managing GLP or cGMP-compliantworkflows is highly desirable.

Skills

• Proven expertise in experimental study design and implementation of research strategies that generate deep mechanistic insight into hematological disease biology and therapeutic correction.
• Deep technical and hands-on expertise with core techniques including flow cytometry, PCR, ELISA, and cell culture.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.