Senior Scientist: Cell Pharmacology, Targeted Delivery Platform

Stealth Co; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Small-team environment

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Stealth Co in Cambridge, MA seeks a scientifically agile scientist to drive screening and characterization of candidate molecules from our targeted delivery platform, designed to reach a range of targets and tissues. This laboratory-based role will be responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro and ex vivo experiments that rank candidate molecules and support scientific decision-making.

The successful candidate will be mechanistically minded, able to connect experimental

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience measuring transport across tight-junction barrier models in vitro/in vivo.
• Understanding of receptor-mediated transcytosis, uptake, and intracellular trafficking.
• Proven tissue culture experience with human cell lines and primary human cells.
• Track record building novel cell-based assays advancing drug discovery.
• Experience with nucleic acid assays (qPCR, RNA-seq) and protein assays (flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blot, imaging).
• Scientific independence: owning a project and shaping its research plan quickly.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute new cell-based assays to screen constructs against multiple targets, including transport across in vitro barrier models (transwell systems, primary and iPSC-derived cells, co-culture).
• Develop, optimize, and perform cell-based assays to evaluate pharmacology of binders and AOC variants on phenotypic readouts (receptor binding, trafficking, transcytosis).
• Culture and differentiate multiple cell lines and primary human cells using established and custom protocols.
• Lead candidate optimization within an integrated cross-functional team using in vitro and in vivo models to advance the program toward key decisions.
• Translate and develop RNA-based and protein-based assays to support in vivo pharmacology studies.
• Manage CROs for reagent production, optimization, and scale-up to support in vitro and in vivo studies.
• Mentor associates, maintain detailed records, present findings in team meetings, ensure lab safety and quality standards.

Education

PhD in Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field

BS/MS with 6+ years and independent program ownership

Tools

Transwell barrier models

iPSC-derived cells

Co-culture systems

Job description

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and intellectually agile scientist to join our stealth-mode
biotech company and drive screening and characterization of candidate molecules from our
targeted delivery platform, which is built to reach a range of targets and tissues. This laboratory-
based role will be responsible for designing, executing, and interpreting in vitro and ex vivo
experiments that rank candidate molecules and support scientific decision-making.

The successful candidate will be mechanistically minded, able to connect experimental
observations to underlying cell biology, build novel reproducible assays, and deliver results in a
fast-paced environment. The role sits at the interface of assay development, molecule design,
CRO management, and in vivo pharmacology.

The position is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in the successful development of new
drugs for patients within an early-stage therapeutics company backed by highly regarded
investors. Title and level will be set commensurate with experience.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute new cell-based assays to screen constructs against multiple
  targets, including transport across in vitro barrier models (transwell systems, primary and
  iPSC-derived cells, co-culture)
• Develop, optimize, and perform cell-based assays to evaluate the pharmacology of
  binders and AOC variants on a variety of phenotypic readouts including receptor binding,
  trafficking and transcytosis
• Culture and differentiate multiple cell lines and primary human cells using established
  and custom protocols
• Work within an integrated, cross-functional team to lead candidate optimization using in
  vitro and in vivo models to advance the program towards key decision points.
• Translate and develop selected RNA-based and protein-based assays to support in vivo
  pharmacology studies
• Manage CROs for reagent production, optimization and scale-up to support in vitro and
  in vivo studies
• Mentor associates, keep detailed records, present findings in team meetings, and meet
  lab safety and quality standards

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
  with 2+ years of industry experience, or a BS/MS with 6+ years and demonstrated
  independent program ownership
• Hands-on experience measuring transport across tight-junction barrier models in vitro/ in vivo, and an understanding of receptor-mediated transcytosis, uptake, and intracellular trafficking
• Proven tissue culture experience with human cell lines and primary human cells
• A track record building novel cell-based assays that moved a drug discovery program forward
• Practical expertise in nucleic acid assays (qPCR, RNA-seq) and protein-based assays (flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, high-content imaging), including DNA and RNA purification
• Scientific independence: owning a project, shaping its research plan, and becoming the internal expert on new targets and disease biology quickly

Preferred

• Experience measuring binding affinity and kinetics using biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays
• Expertise with antibody or other targeting protein engineering, including variant design, affinity maturation, and structure-activity relationships
• Experience with bioconjugate or targeted delivery modalities (ADC, ASC, AOC, or peptide and antibody carriers), or oligonucleotide therapeutics such as ASO or siRNA
• CNS experience, including hands-on work with neuronal cells, is not required but would be very welcome

What we offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits
• A collaborative, small-team environment with room to grow into broader program ownership
• The chance to shape a first-in-class CNS delivery program at an early-stage company backed by highly regarded investors

Location

Cambridge, MA