Principal Scientist, Target Binding

Generate Biomedicines; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Generate Biomedicines is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead Target Binding within our Protein Analytics & Biophysics (PAB) department. This role combines hands‑on technical work with strategy, cross‑functional program leadership, and mentoring of junior scientists.

The successful candidate will be an industry expert in quantitative biophysical assay development for challenging systems, including membrane proteins and multispecific molecules, and will drive technology platform advancement with

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biochemistry/biophysics/analytic chemistry or related field with 8+ years in industry.
• Extensive experience developing quantitative protein–protein interaction and target-binding assays.
• Deep expertise with SPR, BLI, KinExA, and cell-binding measurements.

Responsibilities

• Lead Target Binding strategy across programs and represent PAB on cross‑functional teams.
• Design, develop, optimize, and oversee quantitative protein–protein interaction and cell‑binding assays.
• Develop fit‑for‑purpose approaches to measure affinity, kinetics, stoichiometry, and other binding mechanisms.
• Lead assay development for challenging systems including membrane proteins and multispecifics.
• Advance the Target Binding platform by evaluating emerging technologies and HT/automated approaches.
• Establish standards for assay quality, data processing, and interpretation across the function.
• Apply quantitative and statistical methods to improve experimental design and decision making.
• Mentor junior scientists and research associates; guide career development.
• Communicate complex findings to project teams, leadership, and external collaborators.

Skills

Protein analytics leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Scientific strategy

Education

Ph.D. in biochemistry/biophysics/analytical chemistry

Tools

SPR

BLI

KinExA

Cell-binding assays

Job description

The Role:

Generate is seeking an accomplished Principal Scientist to lead Target Binding efforts within our Protein Analytics & Biophysics (PAB) department.

This individual will provide scientific and strategic leadership for protein–protein interaction, target-binding, and cell-binding measurements across multiple biotherapeutic discovery and development programs. The role will combine hands‑on technical expertise, novel technology development, cross‑functional program leadership, and direct management of junior scientists and research associates.

The successful candidate will be an established industry expert in quantitative biophysical assay development, particularly for challenging systems such as integral membrane proteins, lipid‑associated targets, detergent‑solubilized proteins, and multispecific molecules.

Here’s how you will contribute:

• Lead Target Binding strategy and execution across multiple biotherapeutic programs,serving as a senior PAB representative on cross‑functional teams.
• Design, develop, optimize, and oversee quantitative protein–protein interaction and cell‑binding assays.
• Develop fit‑for‑purpose approaches to measure affinity, kinetics, stoichiometry,competition, thermodynamics, and other complex binding mechanisms.
• Lead assay development for challenging molecular systems, including integral membraneproteins, lipid‑raft‑associated targets, detergent‑solubilized proteins, membrane mimetics,and multispecific molecules.
• Advance the Target Binding technology platform by evaluating emerging technologiesand developing novel, automated, high‑throughput, or computationally enabledmeasurement approaches.
• Establish standards for assay quality, instrumentation, data processing, reproducibility,and interpretation across the function.
• Apply quantitative, statistical, machine‑learning, and agentic approaches to improveexperimental design, data analysis, troubleshooting, and scientific decision‑making.
• Partner with protein production, protein engineering, cell biology, pharmacology,prototyping lab, computational drug design, and therapeutic‑application teams.
• Directly manage, mentor, and develop junior scientists and research associates, includingproviding technical direction, setting priorities, and supporting career development.
• Communicate complex technical findings and program recommendations to projectteams, senior leadership, external collaborators, and technology partners.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, protein science, chemicalbiology, or a related discipline, with at least 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience developing and applying quantitative protein–protein interactionand target‑binding assays in an industry setting.
• Deep expertise with multiple interaction‑measurement technologies, including SPR, BLI,KinExA, and cell‑binding assays.
• Strong understanding of the associated instrumentation, assay formats, sample‑handlingrequirements, data‑processing workflows, and troubleshooting strategies.
• Demonstrated success characterizing complex protein‑protein interactions.
• Track record of developing novel protein‑interaction measurement methods or buildingnew technical capabilities.
• Experience leading scientific strategy across multiple cross‑functional programs.
• Proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing scientists or research associates.
• Strong quantitative, statistical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with biotherapeutic analytics and developability assessment for antibodies,multispecifics, antibody–drug conjugates, engineered proteins, or other biologicmodalities.
• Experience with laboratory automation, high‑throughput experimentation, instrumentintegration, or computational data pipelines.
• Proficiency with scripting, quantitative modeling, data science, or machine‑learningworkflows.
• Practical experience using AI‑enabled or agentic tools for data processing, experimentdesign, scientific analysis, or workflow automation.
• Record of publications, patents, external collaborations, or internally deployed platformtechnologies.

Leadership Attributes

• Recognized technical authority in protein–protein interaction measurement andbiophysical assay development.
• Strategic, quantitative, and scientifically rigorous.
• Comfortable moving between hands‑on experimentation, technology strategy, andprogram‑level decision‑making.
• Curious and willing to challenge established approaches when new technologies canimprove scientific outcomes.
• Collaborative leader who develops people and builds organizational capabilities.

About Generate Biomedicines

We are a clinical‑stage generative biology company pioneering the AI revolution in drug design and development. We are advancing a new approach to drug creation—one grounded in the ability to design proteins with defined biological intent. By integrating machine learning with large‑scale experimentation, this approach aims to reduce the uncertainty, time, and cost associated with developing protein‑based medicines.

Founded in 2018, we are advancing a growing pipeline of clinical and preclinical programs across multiple disease areas and protein modalities. By unifying computational design and clinical development within a single operating model, we translate this approach into clinical‑stage programs and are leading a shift from traditional drug discovery toward systematic drug generation.

At Generate:Biomedicines, we collaborate across disciplines in new ways to invent and innovate. We bring diverse perspectives to a shared goal of delivering better medicines to patients in need, faster, guided by our values and leadership behaviors.

Generate:Biomedicines is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Compensation:

The base salary range provided reflects our current estimate of what we anticipate paying for this position. Your actual base salary will be based on several factors, including job‑related skills, experience, internal equity, relevant education or training, and market dynamics. In addition, you will be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and a competitive benefits package.

Per Year Salary Range

$160,000—$224,000 USD