Staff Scientist, Molecular Pharmacology (industry experience required)

Septerna; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology company in South San Francisco is looking for a scientist to design and execute GPCR assays, collaborating with various teams to optimize drug discovery workflows. The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. and at least 5 years of experience in small molecule drug discovery, along with proficiency in data analysis tools. This role offers a competitive salary range of $135,000 - $165,000 and benefits.

Benefits

Stock options

Annual target bonus

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of industry experience in small molecule drug discovery.
• Proven experience in data analysis and interpretation.
• Direct management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute GPCR assays for HTS applications.
• Collaborate with various teams and manage CRO partners.
• Develop workflows for chemical matter identification and optimization.
• Support GPCR mechanism-of-action studies.

Skills

Proficiency in data analysis tools

Experience in small molecule drug discovery

Familiarity with HTS platforms

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Tools

GraphPad Prism

CDD

Vortex/Dotmatix

Job description

Overview

Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines. The company’s Native Complex Platform recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context, enabling access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs and a goal to expand collaboration across a diverse team of scientists and professionals.

We are expanding our multidisciplinary team to create revolutionary medicines. At Septerna we value diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. Join a team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to move therapies toward the clinic.

You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and execute GPCR assays with a focus on assay fitness and robustness for large-scale small molecule high-throughput screening (HTS) applications
• Collaborate with Medicinal Chemistry, Protein Biology, and Disease Biology teams and manage external CRO partners
• Develop and deploy workflows for identification, characterization and optimization of chemical matter for medicine development
• Act as a pharmacology subject matter expert and contribute to Project Teams to build therapeutics for the clinic
• Support GPCR mechanism-of-action studies including functional binding constants, quantification of agonist efficacy, and the use of radiometric assays
• Provide deep technical expertise in cellular and molecular biology for bespoke assay development and SAR campaigns
• Perform genetic engineering, viral tools, and other readouts as needed; analyze and interpret dose–response, kinetic, and mechanism-of-action data
• Manage external CROs to advance discovery programs and oversee hit-to-lead through candidate selection
• Operate across all stages of the small molecule drug discovery funnel from Hit-ID to candidate selection

Qualifications

Ph.D. in a relevant field with at least 5 years of industry experience in small molecule drug discovery. Familiarity with automation and liquid handling platforms used in HTS and direct management experience are preferred.

Requirements

• Proficiency in data analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism, CDD, and Vortex/Dotmatix
• Experience with analysis and interpretation of dose–response, kinetic, and mechanism-of-action data to support hit triage and lead optimization
• Experience operating across all levels of a small molecule drug discovery funnel from Hit-ID to candidate selection

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $135,000 - $165,000. Individual pay may vary based on skills, experience, location, and education. Septerna’s compensation package includes benefits, stock options, and an annual target bonus for full-time positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.