Principal Scientist, Immunology

About This Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Principal Scientist with deep drug discovery and development experience in diseases with an inflammatory etiology to join our growing Immunology Research Unit in our West Coast Hub, SSF site. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in immunology, cellular and molecular biology and/or a related scientific field and contribute to the discovery and development of novel therapies targeting inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

This role requires a strong foundation in experimental design, data interpretation, and technical leadership, combined with the ability to evaluate external opportunities and contribute to strategic decision‑making. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment at the nexus of basic research and therapeutic innovation to develop transformative therapies aimed at addressing unmet medical needs for patients who need it most.

• Design and lead innovative in vitro and in vivo studies to uncover mechanisms driving inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
• Discover and validate novel drug targets, biomarkers, and pathways critical to immune‑mediated disorders.
• Deliver high‑quality data to support lead optimization, biomarker development, and translational research for priority programs in our expanding Immunology pipeline.
• Analyze and interpret complex datasets
  , ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and adherence to regulatory and safety standards; communicate findings through internal presentations and external forums (conferences, publications).
• Collaborate across disciplines — including pharmacology, synthetic medicine, protein engineering, and computational sciences—to advance target identification, drug discovery, and clinical development.
• Shape portfolio strategy by identifying gaps and opportunities for scientific innovation.
• Partner with business development and corporate strategy teams to evaluate the scientific merit of potential assets, collaborations, and licensing opportunities.
• Contribute to due diligence efforts
  , including mechanistic evaluations, protocol reviews, external data assessments, and intellectual property analysis.
• Champion scientific excellence and innovation by staying current with emerging research and technologies in immunology and inflammation.

You are passionate about advancing the field of immunology through innovative research and strategic collaborations. With a deep commitment to scientific excellence, you thrive on driving discovery programs that have the potential to transform patient care.

This position is based in South San Francisco, California and requires frequent onsite presence. Candidates must be within commutable distance or able to self‑relocate to be considered.

• PhD in Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field with 5+ years of industry experience, preferably in inflammatory and autoimmune disease drug discovery and development (Master's with 8+ years of experience, Bachelor's with 10+ years of experience)
• Strong expertise in immune cell biology (innate and adaptive immunity), cell signaling, and immunological assay development
• Hands‑on experience with relevant techniques, including biochemical and cellular assay development, tissue culture, flow cytometry, and functional genomics techniques
• Experience with disease models of inflammation and/or autoimmunity
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently and in team settings
• Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating scientific data and external opportunities
• Excellent communication skills for translating complex science into business‑relevant insights

• Prior experience in biotech/pharma drug discovery or translational research (5+ years)
• Experience working with small molecule, biologics, and/or cell‑based therapeutic drug discovery and development
• Strong technical expertise in multiparametric flow cytometry (e.g., 15+ colors)
• Experience with…