Senior Scientist, Biophysics

Senior Scientist, Biophysics

Join our San Diego team to deliver high‑quality results and drive small‑molecule drug discovery. You will be a key contributor to our discovery engine, designing and executing biophysical strategies that identify high‑quality hits, elucidate mechanisms of action, and accelerate lead optimization.

• Propose, design, develop, and execute biophysical assays to support hit identification, hit‑to‑lead, and lead optimization activities.
• Establish robust SPR assays for small‑molecule interaction analysis, including hit triage, affinity/kinetic characterization, and mechanism‑of‑action studies.
• Utilize a suite of biophysical techniques—primarily SPR but also DSF, DLS, and others through in‑house and CRO capabilities—to advance drug discovery.
• Employ biophysical methods to mechanistically deconvolute the molecular mechanism of action of small‑molecule hits.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate biophysical data as the subject‑matter expert and biophysics representative on project teams.
• Collaborate with chemistry, biology, lead discovery, and medicine design to characterize and establish SAR, rapidly advancing the hit‑to‑lead process.
• Propose and evaluate new approaches and technologies.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, and cross‑functional partnership within a dynamic matrixed environment.

• PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Biology or a related discipline with 2–3 years of relevant postdoctoral training.
• 4+ years of biotech/pharma experience with demonstrated impact in hit identification, hit‑to‑lead, and lead optimization for small‑molecule programs.
• Expertise in quantitative biophysical assay development, especially SPR for small‑molecule drug discovery, including characterization of protein–ligand interactions (affinity, kinetics, stoichiometry, mechanism).
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of biophysical methods; hands‑on experience with MST/SS, DSF, MS, or NMR is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex assays, work with challenging proteins, and deliver high‑quality, reproducible data.
• Excellent communication, data visualization, and interpersonal skills with a track record of effective collaboration on multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to lead in a matrix environment and act as point of contact on project teams.
• Experience with fragment‑based lead discovery, covalent lead discovery, and DNA‑encoded library (DEL) work.
• Strong hands‑on biochemistry experience or expertise in enzymology.
• Working knowledge of adjacent disciplines (biochemistry, structural biology, protein purification, biology, chemistry).
• Experience working with challenging proteins and with CROs.

This position is classified as exempt. The anticipated annual base salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego is $151,694 to $174,363.

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