Principal Scientist, Immunology, Rheumatology & Lung Fibrosis

Principal Scientist Immunology & Respiratory Translational Biology

Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking a creative, scientifically rigorous, and collaborative Principal Scientist to join the Immunology & Respiratory Translational Biology group. The successful candidate will provide immunology-driven translational biology strategy and laboratory execution for discovery programs at the interface of immune-mediated disease, rheumatology, and autoimmune-associated interstitial lung diseases (ILDs).

The Principal Scientist will help establish and apply disease-relevant experimental approaches to support the positioning and differentiation of discovery molecules in autoimmune and rheumatologic disease spaces where lung involvement, tissue inflammation, and fibrosis are involved. This role is intended for an immunologist with strong mechanistic expertise in immune-cell biology and tissue inflammation, complemented by practical experience in lung/ILD pathobiology, autoimmune-associated ILD biology, and complex in vitro or ex vivo translational model systems.

The candidate should be able to lead and mentor scientists and matrixed project contributors, with prior direct-report experience. The ideal candidate will bring pharmaceutical or biotech drug-discovery or translational research experience and demonstrated readiness to contribute in a cross-functional R&D setting; exceptional candidates from academic or medical-center environments may be considered when they can demonstrate applied translational impact comparable to industry experience.

• Contribute immunology-focused scientific leadership in autoimmune disease biology, rheumatology-associated lung involvement, autoimmune ILD, tissue inflammation, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis to support disease positioning and differentiation of discovery molecules.
• Design, develop, and apply disease-relevant translational assays and experimental systems, including complex in vitro/ex vivo models using relevant human immune cells, tissue-derived systems, immune/stromal/epithelial interactions, fibrosis readouts, and biomarker-linked endpoints.
• Translate mechanistic understanding of immune-cell biology, inflammatory pathways, lung injury and repair, tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and autoimmune disease biology into actionable experimental plans that inform project strategy and decision-making.
• Serve as a translational biology representative on discovery and development project teams, contributing to project hypotheses, assay strategy, data interpretation, and integrated translational packages.
• Independently propose, design, execute, analyze, and communicate scientific experiments aligned with predefined project and group goals, including the development or optimization of new methodologies, protocols, and test procedures.
• Guide the experimental work of scientists, contractors, and matrixed collaborators; provide day-to-day scientific mentorship and help build capability within the team.
• Manage direct reports as assigned, including goal setting, coaching, feedback, prioritization, and development of scientific staff, with an emphasis on quality, accountability, and growth.
• Prepare clear technical reports, translational summaries, publications, and presentations; communicate data and recommendations effectively to project teams, group leadership, and cross-functional partners.
• Collaborate across Translational Biology, Spatial Biology, Discovery Sciences, Experimental Medicine, Medicine/Clinical, Biomarker, and other Research functions to ensure that translational plans are scientifically robust and aligned with program needs.
• Build and maintain productive interactions with external scientific experts and collaborators in immunology, lung biology/ILD, rheumatology, and fibrosis; integrate external insights where appropriate into experimental and translational strategies.
• Remain current with scientific literature, emerging therapeutic concepts, technologies, and competitive developments relevant to immunology, autoimmune ILD, rheumatic disease biology, lung inflammation, and fibrosis.
• Ensure work is conducted in a safe, compliant, and scientifically rigorous…