Senior Scientist/Principal Scientist

Prellis Biologics; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) plan

Stock-based long-term incentives

Holiday package

Flexible work models

Job summary

Prellis Biologics is seeking a Senior / Principal Scientist to lead functional assay development for antibody discovery. This bench-focused role emphasizes cardiometabolic biology and collaboration across Discovery, Protein Sciences, Cell Line Development, and Data Science to scale assays from concept to routine use.

On-site lab work is required as the team expands its rapidly growing pipeline. You will design, optimize, and validate functional cell-based assays, drive go/no-go decision-making,

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience developing cell-based functional assays from scratch.
• Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell lines, including stable cell line generation.
• Familiarity with high-content imaging platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, optimize, and validate cell-based functional assays from concept to routine screening.
• Translate target biology into assay designs for go/no-go decisions across discovery programs.
• Run functional assays against screening queue with high data quality and throughput.
• Coordinate with Cross-functional teams to align functional assay requirements with program priorities.
• Evaluate and implement assay miniaturization and automation to scale capacity.
• Prepare clear reports summarizing results and assay strategy recommendations.

Skills

Cell-based assays

Mammalian cell culture

High-content imaging

Independent researcher

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Cell Biology or related field

Job description

Prellis Biologics is an AI-driven therapeutics company developing the EXIS™ platform, an integrated, rapid, immune-guided discovery and engineering engine that combines machine learning, biology at scale, and proprietary 3D-printed human lymph node organoids to deliver validated antibody drug candidates in weeks. We're expanding our internal pipeline across obesity, inflammation and immunology (I&I), and oncology, and are assembling a team of discovery biologists, computational scientists, and protein scientists who want to help us get life-changing therapeutics to patients faster.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior / Principal Scientist to lead functional assay development and execution in support of our therapeutic antibody discovery and characterization pipeline. You will drive functional assay strategy from concept to routine execution, with particular emphasis on cardiometabolic biology alongside additional therapeutic areas (I&I, IO, etc.), that scales with a rapidly growing pipeline. This is a laboratory-based, hands-on role requiring regular on-site bench work.

Responsibilities

• Assay design & development: Design, optimize, and validate cell-based functional assays (e.g., HTRF, reporter, on-cell binding, phospho-signaling readouts) from conception through tech transfer to routine screening use, supporting cardiometabolic programs as well as I&I and IO pipelines
• Cardiometabolic assay strategy: Apply domain expertise in cardiometabolic signaling pathways to translate target biology into assay designs that support go/no-go decisions across discovery programs
• Queue execution: Run functional assays against the standing screening queue, ensuring consistent throughput and data quality
• Cross-functional partnership: Coordinate across the discovery pipeline, including High-Throughput Discovery, Protein Sciences, Cell Line Development, and Data Science teams, to ensure functional assay requirements and capacity stay aligned with program and company-wide priorities
• Throughput optimization: Evaluate and implement approaches for assay miniaturization and automation to scale capacity as the pipeline grows
• Reporting: Prepare clear, concise reports summarizing experimental results and assay strategy recommendations for cross-functional teams and leadership

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or related field with equivalent industry experience – Senior Scientist: 3-5 years, Principal Scientist: 5+ years
• Hands-on experience developing cell-based functional assays from scratch, not solely executing established protocols
• Strong hands-on experience with mammalian cell lines, including stable cell line generation
• Familiarity with high-content imaging platforms is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
• Mentorship of junior researchers; clear scientific communication

About Prellis

At Prellis we integrate human biology with machine learning. We aim to revolutionize drug discovery by harnessing the power of the human immune system with tightly integrated machine learning to develop next-generation antibody therapeutics with unparalleled speed, precision, and safety. We are committed to empowering our pharmaceutical partners with access to the most promising fully human antibody candidates rapidly identified from the human immune repertoire, enabling them to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster than ever before. Prellis Biologics is a pre-IPO biotech located in Berkeley, CA with a team-oriented, inclusive, and family-friendly culture. Our growing pipeline targets high unmet patient needs across therapeutic areas including metabolic disease, inflammation, and oncology. Prellis has raised funding from top investors, including Celesta, Khosla Ventures, SOSV, and Avidity Partners.

What you can expect from us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

Actual salary will vary based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Prellis offers compelling benefits based on eligibility, comprising health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save toward retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A competitive employee benefits package, including group medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan
• Stock-based long-term incentives
• Holiday package including a 1+ week winter shutdown
• Flexible work models, including remote and hybrid working arrangements, where possible

Application Deadline

Prellis does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Prellis Bio is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams — grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences — and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.