Research Scientist I/II, Bioanalytical Sciences & Assay Development

Iambic Therapeutics, Inc; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Company healthcare

401K matching

Uncapped vacation

Job summary

Iambic Therapeutics, Inc. seeks a Research Scientist in Bioanalytical Sciences & Assay Development to advance MS-based assays for HitID, ADME/DMPK and property assessment. Lead automated workflows and collaborate with cross-functional teams in San Diego.

The role emphasizes LC-MS/MS, assay development, and AI-driven data interpretation to enable rapid design-make-test-learn cycles in drug discovery.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in bioanalytical field with 0–5 years of relevant experience or MS with industry experience.
• Strong MS, bioanalytical science and assay development background.
• Experience designing, optimizing and troubleshooting bioanalytical assays.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement MS-based assays and screening workflows for HitID, including ASMS.
• Develop fit-for-purpose bioanalytical and biochemical assays for screening and characterization.
• Execute in vitro ADME/DMPK assays: metabolic stability, permeability, protein binding.
• Develop physicochemical property assays: solubility, logD, ePSA.
• Optimize LC-MS/MS bioanalytical methods and troubleshoot performance.
• Create automated, high-throughput assays to improve capacity and data quality.
• Support MS/LC-MS instrumentation operation and automation.
• Generate datasets to support AI/ML-driven design and optimization.
• Collaborate with biology, HitID, medicinal chemistry, DMPK and AI teams.
• Evaluate new assay technologies and data workflows to expand capabilities.

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Bioanalytical science

Assay development

AI/ML data interpretation

LC-MS/MS

Education

Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry or related

Tools

LC-MS/MS instruments

ASMS techniques

SCIEX/Agilent/Thermo

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Scientist, Bioanalytical Sciences & Assay Development to join our drug discovery team. This scientist will develop and implement mass spectrometry-based assays and bioanalytical workflows supporting Hit Identification (HitID), ADME/DMPK characterization, and physicochemical property assessment. A key focus will be the development and application of MS-based screening approaches for HitID, including Affinity Selection Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) and other MS-based capabilities.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in bioanalytical science, mass spectrometry, and assay development, with the ability to develop robust and scalable assays for small-molecule drug discovery. This scientist will work at the interface of experimental science, automation, and AI-driven molecular design, generating high-quality data that inform compound optimization and enable rapid design-make-test-learn cycles. This position will be based in our San Diego Headquarters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement MS-based assays and screening workflows for HitID, including ASMS and other MS-based approaches.

• Develop fit-for-purpose bioanalytical and biochemical assays supporting screening, hit confirmation, and compound characterization.

• Develop and execute in vitro ADME/DMPK assays, including metabolic stability, permeability, protein binding, and related endpoints.

• Develop physicochemical property assays, including solubility, logD/lipophilicity, ePSA, and related measurements.

• Develop and optimize LC-MS/MS bioanalytical methods and troubleshoot assay performance, sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effects, and reproducibility.

• Develop automated and high-throughput assay workflows to improve capacity, turnaround time, and data quality.

• Support operation and troubleshooting of MS and LC/MS instrumentation and associated laboratory automation.

• Generate high-quality experimental datasets that support AI/ML-driven compound design and optimization.

• Collaborate with biology, screening/HitID, medicinal chemistry, DMPK, and computational/AI teams to design assay strategies and translate experimental results into actionable insights.

• Evaluate new assay technologies, MS methodologies, automation solutions, and data workflows to expand drug discovery capabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Chemical Biology, Drug Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, with approximately 0–5 years of relevant experience; or an M.S. with significant relevant industry experience.

• Strong foundation in mass spectrometry, bioanalytical science, and assay development, preferably with hands-on LC-MS/MS experience.

• Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting bioanalytical, biochemical, or screening assays.

• Strong understanding of quantitative assay design, experimental controls, data quality, and troubleshooting.

• Strong scientific problem-solving and collaboration skills, with an interest in connecting experimental data with AI/ML-enabled drug discovery and molecular design.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with MS-based screening or HitID approaches, including ASMS or related technologies, is highly desirable.

• Experience with in vitro ADME/DMPK and/or physicochemical property assays such as solubility, logD, and ePSA is preferred.

• Experience with SCIEX, Agilent, Thermo, or comparable MS/LC-MS platforms is desirable.

• Experience with laboratory automation, high-throughput screening/experimentation, or automated data processing is a plus.

ABOUT IAMBIC THERAPEUTICS

Iambic is a clinical-stage life-science and technology company developing novel medicines using its AI-driven discovery and development platform. Based in San Diego and founded in 2020, Iambic has assembled a world-class team that unites pioneering AI experts and experienced drug hunters. The Iambic platform has demonstrated delivery of new drug candidates to human clinical trials with unprecedented speed and across multiple target classes and mechanisms of action. Iambic is advancing a pipeline of potential best-in-class and first-in-class clinical assets, both internally and in partnership, to address urgent unmet patient need. Learn more about the Iambic team, platform, pipeline, and partnerships at iambic.ai.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

Our mission is to deliver better medicines through innovations in AI-based discovery technologies. The culture and work at Iambic Therapeutics are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our people and our differences in background, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and life experiences. We are committed to building an inclusive environment where a diverse group of talented humans work together to discover therapeutics and create technologies.

PAY AND BENEFITS

We offer industry leading competitive pay, company paid healthcare, flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, 401K matching, and uncapped vacation to our team. We are in a brand-new state-of-the-art facility in beautiful San Diego with an onsite gym, dining, and easy access to great places to live and play.