Senior Scientist, Biology

Xaira Therapeutics; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Xaira Therapeutics seeks a lab-based Senior Scientist in Inflammation and Immunology to join the Biology & Pharmacology department. You will work hands-on with human and mouse immune cells, perform tissue dissociations, and drive preclinical studies to advance therapeutic programs.

The role requires a PhD in Immunology with 3+ years of relevant experience and expertise in flow cytometry, molecular assays, and AI-enabled data analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
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• job_responsibilities_description
• Drive preclinical programs by designing, executing and analyzing in vitro and in vivo studies
• Identify knowledge gaps and guide program direction
• Dissociate tissues into single-cell suspensions and establish tissue cultures for assays
• Perform immune profiling with high-parameter flow cytometry and molecular tools
• Conduct functional assays including activation, differentiation, proliferation, suppression, migration
• Translate data into actionable insights for cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

• Drive preclinical programs by designing, executing and analyzing in vitro and in vivo studies that explore disease biology, target validation, and lead candidate development.
• Identify knowledge gaps, ask critical mechanistic questions to guide program direction, and evaluate novel targets and therapeutic strategies.
• Dissociate human and mouse tissues into single-cell suspensions and/or establish tissue cultures for downstream functional or phenotyping assays including: immune profiling, using high-parameter flow cytometry (15+ colors), and molecular tools (ELISA, MSD, Luminex, qPCR, RNAseq analyses).
• functional assays (antigen presentation, immune cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, suppression, migration)
• Translate experimental data into actionable insights and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

Skills

Flow cytometry

High-parameter panel design

Immunology techniques

Cell culture & tissue dissociation

Molecular assays

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

Scientific communication

AI in biology

Education

PhD in Immunology

Tools

ELISA

MSD

Luminex

RNA-seq

qPCR

Job description

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.

About the Role

Xaira Therapeutics is seeking a lab-based Senior Scientist in Inflammation and Immunology to join our Biology & Pharmacology department. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on research environment, has experience working with primary human and mouse immune cells, including ex vivo tissue systems, and is excited to help shape therapeutic program strategy.

In this role, you will investigate disease biology and drug mechanisms, generate actionable data, and intellectually contribute to advancing therapeutic programs through cross-functional collaborations.

What You’ll Do

• Drive preclinical programs by designing, executing and analyzing in vitro and in vivo studies that explore disease biology, target validation, and lead candidate development.
• Identify knowledge gaps, ask critical mechanistic questions to guide program direction, and evaluate novel targets and therapeutic strategies.
• Dissociate human and mouse tissues into single-cell suspensions and/or establish tissue cultures for downstream functional or phenotyping assays including:
• immune profiling, using high-parameter flow cytometry (15+ colors), and molecular tools (ELISA, MSD, Luminex, qPCR, RNAseq analyses).
• functional assays (antigen presentation, immune cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, suppression, migration)
• Translate experimental data into actionable insights and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

What We’re Looking For

• PhD in Immunology or a related field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Track record of impact through first author publications, posters and presentations at meetings
• Hands-on experience with primary human and mouse immune cells.
• Strong expertise in flow cytometry, including high-parameter panel design, execution, and data analysis.
• Proven ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments.
• Excited about employing AI tools in every aspect of everyday work.
• Highly organized and precise in record keeping, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Clear communicator who can distill complex data into actionable insights.

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. We offer a competitive package that includes base salary, bonus, and equity. The base pay range for this position is expected to be $140,000 - $170,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

Xaira Therapeutics an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that our strength is in our differences. Our goal to build a diverse and inclusive team began on day one, and it will never end.