Principal Scientist - Translational Medicine, Oncology

Genentech; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Genentech in South San Francisco is seeking a Principal Scientist in Translational Medicine Oncology to bridge discovery research and clinical development. You will lead biomarker discovery and translational strategy across oncology pipelines.

The role requires leading end-to-end biomarker strategies, integrating multi-omics, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to inform trial design and regulatory submissions. A PhD/MD/MD-PhD and postdoc/industry experience are required.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Significant graduate or postdoctoral research with first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Prior post-graduate industry experience or significant postdoctoral experience is required.
• Hands-on translational research methods including molecular profiling, multi-omics, single-cell genomics, spatial biology, or functional immune assays.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and ability to translate biology to clinical insights.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and drive end-to-end pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarker strategies across first-in-human through registrational clinical studies.
• Champion hypothesis-driven translational research to identify novel biomarkers of therapeutic response, mechanisms of clinical resistance, and tumor microenvironment dynamics.
• Integrate high-dimensional data—including multi-omic profiling, spatial biology, single-cell platforms, and functional immune assays, with computational scientists and AI-driven platforms.
• Lead authoring and strategic integration of biomarker and translational sections within clinical trial protocols and regulatory submissions.
• Partner cross-functionally with Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Companion Diagnostics, Biostatistics, and Clinical Operations.
• Provide scientific leadership and guidance for trial design, implementation, and conduct with Operations.
• Engage externally with academic collaborators, trial investigators, and KOLs; disseminate breakthrough science via publications and conference presentations.

Skills

Translational research

Biomarker discovery

Clinical translation

Data interpretation

Education

PhD/MD/MD-PhD in life sciences

Tools

R

Python

Job description

The Position

Why Genentech

We’re passionate about delivering on Our Promise to improve the lives of patients and create healthier communities for all. We foster a culture of inclusivity, integrity and creativity while boldly pursuing answers to the world’s most complex health challenges and transforming society.

The Opportunity

As a Principal Scientist in Translational Medicine Oncology, you will serve as a vital scientific anchor bridging discovery research and clinical development. You will lead biomarker discovery and translational strategy for innovative oncology clinical pipelines, working directly on early- to late-stage clinical programs. In this role, you will:

• Design, implement, and drive end-to-end pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarker strategies across first-in-human through registrational clinical studies.
• Champion hypothesis-driven translational research to identify novel biomarkers of therapeutic response, mechanisms of clinical resistance, and tumor microenvironment dynamics.
• Integrate and leverage high-dimensional data—including multi-omic profiling, spatial biology, single-cell platforms, and functional immune assays,in partnership with computational scientists and AI-driven platforms.
• Lead the authoring, review, and strategic integration of biomarker and translational sections within clinical trial protocols, regulatory submissions, clinical study reports, and investigator brochures.
• Partner cross-functionally across Research, Clinical Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Companion Diagnostics, Biostatistics, and Clinical Operations to ensure seamless scientific alignment.
• Partner with Operations team to provide scientific leadership and strategic guidance for trial design, implementation, and conduct.
• Drive scientific engagement externally with academic collaborators, clinical trial investigators, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) while disseminating breakthrough science via high-impact peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Who you are

• Hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related life sciences discipline.
• Possess significant graduate or postdoctoral research experience demonstrating scientific excellence and rigor through a record of first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Prior post-graduate industry experience or significant postdoctoral experience is required.
• Bring hands-on experience or deep technical fluency in translational research methodologies, including molecular profiling, multi-omics, single-cell genomics, spatial biology, or functional immune assays.
• Exhibit exceptional cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex biological concepts into actionable clinical insights across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

• Prior industry experience within oncology drug discovery, translational oncology, or clinical development.
• Deep subject matter expertise or focused research background in oncogenic signaling, RAS biology, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), or colorectal cancer (CRC).
• Demonstrate proficiency with or solid exposure to computational biology workflows and biological data analysis (familiarity with R and/or Python).
• Practical experience or strong enthusiasm for leveraging machine learning and emerging agentic/generative AI tools to accelerate translational discovery and multi-modal data interpretation.
• Experience collaborating on companion diagnostics (CDx) development and clinical protocol execution.

This role is based in South San Francisco and offers a hybrid schedule working 3 days per week on campus.

No relocation benefits are available for this posting

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of CA is $141,500.00 - 262,900.00 USD. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.