Senior Scientist, Degrader Antibody Conjugate Cellular Pharmacology

NURIX; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Nurix Therapeutics seeks a scientific leader to define and drive our in vitro screening and pharmacological characterization for Degrader Antibody Conjugates (DACs). This hands-on leadership role requires building assays, interpreting data, and guiding cross-functional teams from primary screening through candidate selection.

The ideal candidate will design, execute, and analyze cellular assays to characterize DAC activity, work with discovery biology, chemistry, and DMPK, and mentor scientists

Qualifications

• PhD in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biology or related field with 4+ years of post-graduate experience, or MS with 8+ years in industry.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing in vitro pharmacology studies and screening cascades, preferably in ADC/DAC fields.
• Leadership in a matrixed, cross-functional environment with ability to influence, align and drive teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the in vitro pharmacology and screening framework for DACs and biologics from primary screening through mechanistic characterization.
• Lead and influence a matrixed organization, partnering with discovery biology, chemistry, analytics, DMPK, and automation to advance programs.
• Conduct and analyze cell-based assays to characterize DAC and biologic activity, including binding, engagement, and degradation measures.
• Provide scientific judgment on assay strategy, data interpretation, and go/no-go recommendations.

Skills

in vitro pharmacology

ADC/DAC biology

cell culture

matrixed leadership

data interpretation

presentations

automation workflows

Education

PhD in Biochemistry

MS in Biology

Tools

Automation equipment

Liquid handling systems

Job description

Brisbane, California

Nurix Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of targeted protein degradation medicines, the next frontier in innovative drug design aimed at improving treatment options for patients with cancer and inflammatory diseases. Powered by a fully AI-integrated discovery engine capable of tackling any protein class, and coupled with unparalleled ligase expertise, Nurix’s dedicated team has built a formidable advantage in translating the science of targeted protein degradation into clinical advancements. Nurix aims to establish degrader-based treatments at the forefront of patient care, writing medicine’s next chapter with a new script to outmatch disease.

Position:

We areseeking anaccomplished scientific leaderwho willdefine and driveour in vitro screening and pharmacological characterization capability for Degrader Antibody Conjugates (DACs). Our DAC platform pairs antibody-based targeting with our degraderexpertiseto direct protein degradation to specific cell types, and this scientist willown the in vitro strategydefining how candidate molecules move through thescreeningcascade — fromprimary screening through mechanistic pharmacological characterizationofdrug candidates.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has built deep expertise in the ADC and/or DAC field and wants toapply that experience in designing and running in vitro pharmacology studies into ahighly collaborative discovery organization, while operating with a high degree of scientific independence. Thescientist will independentlydesign, execute, and analyze cellular assays that characterize DAC activity, and will partner closely withdiscovery biology, conjugation chemistry,analyticalbiochemistry, DMPK, and automation to advance candidates from early screeningthrough development candidateselection.Success depends as much on scientific vision, influence, and communication as on technical depth: the ideal candidate is self-driven, resourceful, and organized — a strong strategic thinker, an effective and compelling presenter, and a proven leader who can align and drive teams in a matrixed setting without relying on direct authority.

Responsibilities:

• Bring rich knowledge of the preclinical drug discoveryworkflowfor ADCs/DACsto shape integrated characterization plans, connect in vitro pharmacology to in vivo andtranslational strategy, andanticipatethe data packages needed for candidate progression.
• Design, build, anddrivethe in vitro pharmacologyand screeningframework forDACs and biologics, from primary screening through mechanistic and quantitative characterization.
• Serve asa keyscientific decision-driver for DAC in vitro pharmacology, providing sound judgment on assay strategy, data interpretation, and go/no-go recommendations.
• Lead and influence a matrixed, cross-functional organization, partnering with discovery biology, conjugation chemistry, analytical biochemistry, DMPK, andchemistryautomation to translate strategy into execution and to advance multiple programs in parallel.
• Leadthe design and execution of pharmacology studies, working closely with team members,to assess the biological activity and mechanism of action oflead molecules and drug candidates.
• Develop and perform cell-based assays to characterize DAC and biologic activity, includingantigen binding,target engagement, and targeted protein degradation,usingcutting-edgetechnologiesand automated workflows.
• Cultivate andmaintainmammalian celllines(experiencemanipulating cell surfaceantigensand engineeringreporter linesused to characterize DACsispreferred).
• Stay current with the latest scientific literature and industry developments in the fieldsofADCs, DACs, biologics, and targeted protein degradation.
• Mentor and develop scientists,in a matrixed environment,tobuild team capabilities andensure compliancetobest practices.
• Communicate and champion scientific findings and strategy through clear, compelling presentations to project teamsandsenior leadership;author study reports and technicaldocumentation, anddrivescientific discussions thatshape projectdirection.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific field (Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Biology, etc.) with4 or more years of relevant post-graduate industry oracademicresearch experience, or MS with8or moreyears ofrelevantindustry experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing and setting up in vitro pharmacology studies and screening cascades; priorexperiencebuilding screening/assay cascades in the ADC or DAC field isstronglypreferred.
• Demonstrated leadership in a matrixed, cross-functional environment, with the ability to influence, align, anddrive teams and programs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, witha track recordof clearly conveying complex science and recommendations to project teams and senior leadership.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell cultureandtheability toindependently execute, analyze, and report results ofquantitative cellular assaysrelevant to conjugate characterization (e.g., luminescence-based degradation, viability, or internalizationassays).
• Experiencewith mechanistic assays that dissect DAC activity, such asantibody binding andintracellulardrug release, is highly desired.
• Familiarity with automation equipment (e.g.,liquid handlers) and automated workflows.
• Stronganalytical and problem-solving skills,with sound judgment inevaluating and interpreting experimentaldata.
• Demonstratedability to manage priorities and advance multiple projects simultaneously in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.

Location:Brisbane, CA (Onsite role)

Nurix Culture and Values

• Strong teamorientation; highly collaborative
• Solutions and results-oriented focus
• Hands-on approach; resourceful and open to diverse points of view