Senior Scientist, Bioanalytical Development

Protagonist Therapeutics; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

401(k) Plan

Flexible Vacation Policy

Life Insurance

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Company paid lunch and snacks

Job summary

Protagonist Therapeutics seeks a Senior Scientist in the Bioanalytical department to advance analytical methods for drug candidates. You will develop and optimize assays, work with HPLC and MS technologies, and contribute to PD/efficacy studies.

This on-site role in Newark, CA offers a collaborative environment and opportunities to impact development. You will collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, maintain rigorous data records, and help translate discoveries into clinical candidates in a

Qualifications

• MS or BS with relevant analytical/bioanalytical experience.
• Experience operating HPLC and mass spectrometers.
• Strong ability to follow SOPs and optimize methods.
• Excellent documentation and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, mass spectrometer, and other lab equipment.
• Prepare reagents, calibration standards, QCs and samples for analysis.
• Develop and execute new and existing analytical methods.
• Perform analytical assays (e.g., ELISA) to support PD and efficacy studies.
• Collaborate with Bioanalytical team to ensure supplies of consumables.
• Maintain and document experimental procedures and data quality.
• Communicate results across teams and ensure safety protocols.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Team collaboration

Communication

SOP adherence

Education

MS in chemistry/related field with 5+ years

BS with 10+ years

Tools

HPLC

Mass spectrometer

Spectrophotometers

Data analysis software

Job description

About Us

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery-through-late-stage development biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform that enables de novo discovery of peptide therapeutics. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are at or near commercialization. ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra), licensed to Johnson & Johnson company Janssen Biotech, Inc., is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor. ICOTYDE was launched in the U.S. in March 2026, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older and is in Phase 3 development for psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. ICOTYDE was jointly discovered by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists, with Protagonist having primary responsibility for the development of ICOTYDE through Phase 1, and Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further development and commercialization. Protagonist also discovered and led development through Phase 3 of rusfertide, a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals. An NDA for rusfertide for the treatment of polycythemia vera is under priority review with the FDA. The Company also has a number of clinical and preclinical programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including an oral IL-17 antagonist peptide, obesity dual and triple agonists, an oral hepcidin functional mimetic, and the recently announced IL-4 and amylin programs.

About Us

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery-through-late-stage development biopharmaceutical company with a proprietary technology platform that enables de novo discovery of peptide therapeutics. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are at or near commercialization. ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra), licensed to Johnson & Johnson company Janssen Biotech, Inc., is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor. ICOTYDE was launched in the U.S. in March 2026, is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age or older and is in Phase 3 development for psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. ICOTYDE was jointly discovered by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists, with Protagonist having primary responsibility for the development of ICOTYDE through Phase 1, and Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further development and commercialization. Protagonist also discovered and led development through Phase 3 of rusfertide, a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide licensed to Takeda Pharmaceuticals. An NDA for rusfertide for the treatment of polycythemia vera is under priority review with the FDA. The Company also has a number of clinical and preclinical programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets, including an oral IL-17 antagonist peptide, obesity dual and triple agonists, an oral hepcidin functional mimetic, and the recently announced IL-4 and amylin programs. More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates, and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Scientist in the Bioanalytical department. The qualified candidate will be a critical member of the group and work closely with our established team developing and optimizing analytical methods and performing bioanalytical work to screen chemical entities for new drug candidates. This is an exceptional opportunity to work with a core discovery group within a successful biopharmaceutical company and bring drugs from ideas to the clinic.

We are committed to a thriving in-office culture. This role requires being on-site at our office in Newark, CA 4 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, mass spectrometer, and other lab equipment
• Prepare reagents, calibration standards, QCs and standard curves, and samples for analysis
• Perform, optimize, develop, and execute new and existing analytical methods
• Perform analytical assays (i.e., ELISA) to support PD and efficacy studies
• Work with Bioanalytical team to ensure adequate supplies of consumables and reagents
• Possess technical and scientific understanding of bioanalytical assays and experimental design to support the development
• Keep excellent experimental records
• Effectively communicate results to the Bioanalytical team and cross-functionally
• Follow and maintain laboratory safety protocol and health-conscious environment in the workplace.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• MS in chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, or related fields with 5+ years of relevant industry or academic experience or BS with 10+ years of experience.
• Previous experience operating and maintaining analytical instrumentation, including HPLC, mass spectrometer, spectrophotometers, and data analysis software
• Understanding and experience with the fundamentals of chromatography and analytical separations
• Proven ability to follow SOPs and optimize existing methods
• Time management and organizational skills with attention to detail
• Thrive in a fluid, dynamic, and fast-paced environment
• Able to collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary teams
• Effectively communicate results to the Bioanalytical team, across various functional areas, and project team

Pay Range

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $140,000 and $160,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

A top priority for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. is to provide a robust and comprehensive health and wellness program for our employees and their families. We offer a variety of high-quality coverage and benefit options.

• Health Care benefits. Protagonist covers 100% of the premium cost for medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents.
• Flexible Spending Accounts – Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA, Commuter Benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Vacation Policy
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Company paid lunch and snacks