Senior Principal Research Scientist, Protein Sciences

BioSpace; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision coverage

401k

ESPP

Wellness programs

Job summary

IDEAYA Biosciences in South San Francisco seeks a Senior Principal Research Scientist to lead Protein Sciences, supervise a team of researchers, and support multiple drug-discovery programs.

You will develop and execute protein-expression and purification strategies for challenging proteins using bacterial and insect-cell systems, coordinate CROs, and collaborate across disciplines to translate results into program decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD with 9+ years’ hands-on recombinant protein production using bacterial and insect-expression systems.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting purification strategies for proteins and complexes.
• Experience with CROs or external partners for protein production and data transfer.
• Strong history supervising and developing research staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day activities of the Protein Sciences team and align with drug-discovery programs.
• Develop and execute protein-expression and purification strategies across systems.
• Oversee construct design, expression testing, purification, and characterization.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality reagents for biochemical, biophysical, and screening use.
• Collaborate with Bioassays, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Biology, and Data Science.
• Manage CROs, review data, and ensure timely, quality deliverables.
• Mentor researchers and provide practical experimental guidance.

Skills

Protein expression

Protein purification

Protein characterization

CRO management

Team supervision

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

SDS-PAGE

Western blotting

SEC / SEC-MALS

Analytical methods

Job description

Job Summary

About IDEAYA Biosciences: IDEAYA is a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative therapies for cancer. Our approach integrates expertise in small-molecule drug discovery, structural biology and bioinformatics with robust internal capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers to develop tailored, potentially first-in-class targeted therapies aligned to the genetic drivers of disease. We have built a deep pipeline of product candidates focused on synthetic lethality and antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, for molecularly defined solid tumor indications. Our mission is to bring forth the next wave of precision oncology therapies that are more selective, more effective, and deeply personalized with the goal of altering the course of disease and improving clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.

Location: South San Francisco, CA.

Position Summary

We are seeking an accomplished and highly collaborative Senior Principal Research Scientist to make significant hands‑on contributions to our Protein Sciences function while supervising and developing a small team of research associates and PhD‑level scientists. This role is intended for an experienced laboratory scientist who enjoys solving challenging protein‑production problems, supporting multiple drug‑discovery programs, and coordinating internal and external scientific work.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in recombinant protein expression, purification, and characterization, including extensive experience with bacterial and insect‑cell expression systems. This individual will directly contribute to the delivery of high-quality proteins and protein complexes for biochemical, biophysical, structural, and screening applications across a diverse portfolio of drug‑discovery programs.

This opportunity is particularly well suited to an established career scientist who wants to remain actively engaged at the bench while expanding their impact through technical problem-solving, supervision and development of scientists, CRO coordination, and cross‑functional collaboration.

This position is based in our South San Francisco headquarter offices and required to be onsite four days per week per our company policy.

Reporting to: Vice President, Lead Discovery

Job Description

What you’ll do:

• Contribute actively in the laboratory while coordinating the day‑to‑day work and priorities of the Protein Sciences team in alignment with drug‑discovery program needs.
• Develop and execute protein‑expression and purification strategies for challenging proteins and protein complexes using bacterial, insect‑cell, and other appropriate expression systems.
• Perform and oversee construct design, expression testing and optimization, protein purification, characterization, and troubleshooting, particularly for challenging proteins and protein complexes.
• Ensure delivery of high‑quality, fit‑for‑purpose protein reagents for biochemical, biophysical, structural, and screening applications.
• Partner closely with Bioassays, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Data Science to develop integrated experimental strategies and translate results into program decisions.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop research associates and PhD‑level scientists, providing practical experimental guidance while enabling appropriate scientific independence.
• Identify, engage, and coordinate CROs for protein expression, purification, characterization, and related activities; establish clear work plans, review data quality, and ensure timely delivery of fit‑for‑purpose reagents.
• Communicate scientific strategies, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to project teams and research leadership.

Requirements

• PhD with 9+ years’ hands‑on expertise in recombinant protein production using bacterial and insect‑cell expression systems; experience with mammalian expression is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop and troubleshoot purification strategies for challenging proteins, protein complexes, and multiple construct variants.
• Hands‑on experience with protein characterization methods such as SDS‑PAGE, Western blotting, concentration determination, analytical SEC, thermal‑stability methods, and assessment of aggregation and sample quality (i.e. SEC‑MALS).
• Experience selecting and managing CROs or other external partners for protein production and characterization, including technical transfer, data review, troubleshooting, and quality assessment.
• Experience supervising and developing research associates and PhD‑level laboratory scientists.
• Excellent oral, graphical, and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with global proteomics, phosphoproteomics, chemical biology, or chemoproteomics is desirable but not required.
• Travel required: Maybe for a conference.
• Percentage of time in a year: Less than 1%.
• Domestic/International: Domestic.

All employees are expected to act with integrity and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and IDEAYA policies, including IDEAYA’s Code of Conduct.

Employees must demonstrate good judgement and ethical behavior in all business activities, maintain patient and product safety as a top priority, and report any suspected violations of law or Company policy through appropriate channels.

Total Rewards

Along with our inspiring mission, and highly collaborative and inclusive environment, IDEAYA offers a competitive total rewards package that reflects our pay‑for‑performance philosophy where employees are eligible to be considered for merit‑based salary increases, company discretionary short‑term incentive plan participation, and company discretionary stock option awards (based on board approval). Our comprehensive benefits package includes, but is not limited to, medical/dental/vision coverage (100% company paid for employees and 90% company paid for dependents), 401k, ESPP, and wellness programs.

• medical/dental/vision coverage (100% company paid for employees and 90% company paid for dependents)
• 401k
• ESPP
• wellness programs

The expected salary range for the roleof Senior Principal Research Scientist, Protein Sciences is $180,000 - $223,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will depend on several factors that may include but are not limited to the office location where this open position is located, the final candidates’ experience within their profession, experience in the disease areas we are striving to make an impact in as a company, length of time within the industry, educational background, and performance during the interview process.

The Company complies with all laws respecting equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate against applicants with regard to any protected characteristic as defined by federal, state, and local law.

IDEAYA is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, IDEAYA does not discriminate in hiring or otherwise in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. EOE/AA/Vets.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please get in touch with us at [e-mail].