Principal Scientist - Translational Medicine, Oncology

1000 Genentech, Inc.; South San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Genentech, a Roche company, seeks a Principal Scientist in Translational Medicine Oncology to bridge discovery research and clinical development. You will lead biomarker discovery and translational strategy across oncology programs, from first-in-human to registrational studies.

In this role, you will integrate multi-omic and spatial biology data, partner with computational biology, and contribute to regulatory submissions and trial protocols while mentoring teams and communicating complex

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD with research excellence and first-author publications.
• Significant post-graduate industry or postdoctoral experience is required.
• Expertise in biomarker/translational methodologies (molecular profiling, multi-omics).
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with translational oncology or clinical development preferred.
• Experience with machine learning and AI tools in translational discovery.

Responsibilities

• Design and drive end-to-end pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarker strategies across early- to late-stage studies.
• Identify novel biomarkers of response and mechanisms of resistance in translational studies.
• Integrate multi-omic, spatial biology, and single-cell data with computational biology teams.
• Lead biomarker and translational sections in protocols, submissions, and study reports.
• Collaborate across Research, Clinical Development, Biostatistics, Regulatory, and Clinical Operations.
• Provide scientific leadership for trial design and conduct with Operations.
• Engage with academic collaborators and KOLs; publish in high-impact venues.

Skills

Biomarker discovery

Translational research

Multi-omics integration

Single-cell genomics

Spatial biology

Computational biology

Cross-functional collaboration

Clinical development

Lung/colorectal cancer expertise

Machine learning in translational sci

Education

PhD/MD/MD-PhD in Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Immunology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or related life sciences

Tools

R

Python

Job description

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. As an integral member of our dynamic team, 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, Regulatory, 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 technical knowledge in biomarker/translational research methodologies, including molecular profiling, multi-omics, single-cell genomics, or spatial biology.
• Exhibit exceptional cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex biological concepts into actionable clinical insights across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrate proficiency with or solid exposure to computational biology workflows and biological data analysis (familiarity with R and/or Python).
• Preferred Prior industry experience within oncology drug discovery, translational oncology, or clinical development.
• Practical experience or strong enthusiasm for leveraging machine learning and emerging agentic/generative AI tools to accelerate translational discovery and multi-modal data interpretation.
• Deep subject matter expertise or a focused research background in lung cancer and/ or colorectal cancer.
• 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 Relocation benefits are not available for this posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $141,500 - $262,900. 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.

Who We Are

Genentech, a member of the Roche group and founder of the biotechnology industry, is dedicated to pursuing groundbreaking science to discover and develop medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. To solve the world's most complex health challenges, we ask bigger questions that challenge our industry and the boundaries of science to transform society. Our transformational discoveries include the first targeted antibody for cancer and the first medicine for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. The next step is yours.