Scientist (Bay Area)

Portal; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Portal Biotechnologies, headquartered in Watertown, MA, is a rapidly scaling cell-engineering platform company addressing biopharma and AI data generation, with global customers and a DARPA partnership. The Head of Platform Research will lead our scientists, translate discoveries into tangible products, shape strategy, manage budgets, and build external partnerships to accelerate platform development.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in biotech leadership, a PhD, a proven record of innovation,

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a leadership/management role in pharmaceutical/biotech - cell, gene, or immunotherapy.
• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline required.
• Proven experience leading scientific R&D efforts in biotech/pharma.
• Track record of scientific innovation evidenced by publications or patents.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Set the scientific vision and strategic direction for Portal Biotechnologies.
• Identify and prioritize R&D areas aligned with company goals.
• Foster a collaborative environment within the R&D team.
• Design and execute research plans to advance platform development.
• Build external collaborations and contribute to IP and regulatory strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

External partnerships

IP strategy

Regulatory compliance

Publications/patents

Education

PhD in biology/immunology/biotech

Job description

Portal Biotechnologies, headquartered in Watertown, MA, is a rapidly scaling cell-engineering platform company operating across three high-value business lines (biopharma R&D screening, next-generation cell therapy manufacturing, and AI training data generation), addressing markets totaling $100B+. Since launching its first product in 2024, Portal has built a network of 100+ active customers, including the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies and leading academic hospitals and cancer centers worldwide.

Backed by $15M in venture funding and an $8M DARPA contract, Portal’s proprietary mechanoporation technology enables efficient multiplex delivery of diverse cargos such as RNA, proteins, small molecules, and gene-editing tools without compromising cell function. The approach is simple and scalable, supporting applications from high-throughput drug screening to clinical-scale manufacturing, and it works both as a stand‑alone system and as an integrated component in third‑party platforms.

In biopharma R&D, Portal’s products enable novel screening assays by delivering otherwise cell‑impermeable probes and candidate molecules directly into live cells, unlocking intracellular access that standard methods cannot provide. In cell therapy, Portal’s GMP‑integrated consumables and a DARPA‑funded portable device (launching 2027) are aimed at making engineered cell therapies as accessible and ubiquitous as an infusion pump. In AI training data, Portal generates high‑value, multiparametric datasets from primary cells, producing biologically relevant training data that current cell line‑based methods cannot replicate.

With a leadership team bringing decades of experience in biotech operations and clinical cell therapy development, Portal is positioned to become the foundational platform for next‑generation cell engineering, drug discovery, and biological AI data generation.

The role:

We are seeking an innovative leader, strategic thinker, and rigorous scientist to lead our talented team of scientists and researchers as the Head of Platform Research. Reporting to the CEO, the successful candidate will drive scientific discovery, translate researching findings into tangible products and solutions, and will contribute to the overall strategy and success of the company. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of cell therapy and drug discovery by working with leading researchers across biotech and pharmaceutical companies, academic and hospital groups, and cell therapy manufacturers. The ideal candidate has a deep knowledge of immunology and/or stem cell biology, extensive discovery and pre‑clinical research experience, and an enthusiasm for building partnerships.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Develop and communicate the scientific vision, goals, and strategic direction for the company
• Identify and prioritize areas of research and development aligned with the company's objectives
• Foster a collaborative environment to facilitate knowledge sharing and cross‑functional collaboration within the R&D team
• Design and execute research plans, experiments, and studies to advance platform development and scientific understanding
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, methodologies, and tools relevant to the company's scientific goals
• Develop and manage the scientific budget, making strategic decisions to optimize resource allocation
• Cultivate strong relationships with external partners, academic institutions, and key stakeholders to drive collaborations and access external expertise
• Contribute to intellectual property strategy, including patent filings and protection of scientific innovations
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, guiding the team in navigating regulatory processes and approvals
• Represent the company in scientific conferences, industry events, and engagements with key stakeholders
• Publish research findings in reputable scientific journals and contribute to the scientific community

Your experience & qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in a leadership/management role in pharmaceutical/biotech - cell, gene, or immunotherapy, a plus
• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., biology, immunology, biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology) is required. A combination of advanced scientific degree and significant industry experience may be considered
• Demonstrated experience in leading scientific research and development efforts, preferably in the biotechnology industry
• Proven track record of scientific innovation and achievement, evidenced by publications, patents, or successful product development
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent strategic thinking and decision‑making abilities, as well as a flexible and hands‑on approach
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences

Why join Portal?

• Impact: Shape and scale the commercial strategy for a platform that aims to democratize cell engineering and cell‑therapy production.
• Innovation: Work with cutting‑edge technology that delivers diverse cargoes to a broad range of cell types and is recognized through programs like DARPA’s RBC Factory as well as a majority of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.
• Growth: Join a rapidly scaling organization with a global partner network and multiple product lines.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and business leaders who have decades of experience in cell‑therapy development and instrumentation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, we comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.