Principal Scientist, Early Pipeline Development

Scorpion Therapeutics; South Dakota; On-site; USD 109,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Vacation and holidays

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics seeks a Principal Scientist to lead and manage a downstream process team, providing technical support, training, and SME knowledge to advance pipelines toward clinic.

You will coordinate with upstream and analytical groups, contribute to early drug discovery strategies with disease areas, and transfer process knowledge to Technical R&D as programs progress to clinical phases.

Qualifications

• PhD required with 3+ years of relevant process development experience in biotech/pharmaceutical environments.
• Experience in people management and leading teams.
• Knowledge of downstream purification (affinity and ion-exchange chromatography) and hands-on AKTA purification systems.
• Technical proficiency, creativity, independent thinking, and strong communication across cross-functional teams.
• Able to operate in a fast-paced, matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a 3–5 person downstream process team; provide technical support, training, and SME knowledge.
• Coordinate with upstream and analytical teams.
• Develop early drug discovery strategies with Disease Areas through lead selection and developability assessment.
• Serve as SME to transfer manufacturing process knowledge to Technical R&D and advance pipeline programs into clinical phases.
• Collaborate with Technical R&D to develop innovative, cost-effective downstream processes for next-generation AAV.
• Manage multiple project workflows to ensure timely delivery.
• Prepare written reports per documentation practices, including electronic lab notebook.

Skills

People management

Bioprocessing

Downstream purification

Communication

Problem solving

Independent thinking

Education

PhD in bioprocessing or related field

Tools

AKTA purification systems

Downstream purification techniques

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a 3–5 person downstream process team; provide technical support, training, and SME knowledge.
• Coordinate with upstream and analytical teams.
• Develop early drug discovery strategies with Disease Areas through lead selection and developability assessment.
• Serve as SME to transfer manufacturing process knowledge to Technical R&D and advance pipeline programs into clinical phases.
• Collaborate with Technical R&D to develop innovative, cost-effective downstream processes for next-generation AAV.
• Manage multiple project workflows to ensure timely delivery.
• Prepare written reports per documentation practices, including electronic lab notebook.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in bioprocessing, biochemical engineering, gene therapy, or related field; 3+ years of relevant process development experience in biotech/pharmaceutical environment.
• Experience in people management.
• Knowledge of downstream purification (affinity and ion-exchange chromatography) and hands-on experience with AKTA purification systems.
• Technical proficiency, creativity, independent thinking.
• Effective communication with research scientists and cross-functional collaborators.
• Strong organization and problem-solving; attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrix environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in AAV gene therapy.
• Experience with viral gene therapy.

Compensation/Benefits

• Salary range: $108,500–$201,500 (Principal Scientist I) or $119,700–$222,300 (Principal Scientist II); performance cash incentive; potential annual equity awards.
• US-based benefits and time off package (health/life/disability, 401(k) match, vacation/personal days/holidays/leaves).