Discovery Oncology Scientific Lead Job San Francisco area,California USA,Science

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced scientist to join our Discovery Oncology biology team in South San Francisco, focused on advancing next-generation genetic medicine technologies for oncology applications. The Scientific Lead will be responsible for creating and executing strategies toward the discovery and credentialing of oncology targets enabled by new therapeutic modalities, through close collaboration with other discovery and translational functions.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of oncogenic pathways and experience in designing experiments to evaluate molecular interactions and cellular pathways. The Scientific Lead, Discovery Oncology will be part of a multi‑disciplinary effort focused on bringing forward innovative cancer drug therapy.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Position:

Conceive and execute experiments for target discovery, validation, and credentialing across emerging therapeutic modalities — including, but not limited to, oligonucleotide conjugates, lipid nanoparticles, and engineered cell therapies
Interrogate mechanism of action, biomarkers of response, and mechanisms of resistance or sensitivity for genetic medicine modalities applied to oncology
Design and execute functional and genetic perturbation experiments to nominate and credential targets, leveraging gene editing, RNA interference, and primary or engineered cell systems as appropriate
Analyze, interpret, and present data clearly to the team and broader organization, and contribute to cross‑functional program strategy
Actively participate in group discussions and collaborate with colleagues across discovery, translational, and external partner functions
Contribute to a safe, efficient, and rigorous workplace

Required Qualifications:

PhD in immunology, cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline with all completed requirements by August 2026 and 5+ years of lab‑based experience (including graduate lab work)

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong understanding of oncogenic and/or immune signaling pathways, with demonstrated ability to design experiments that interrogate molecular mechanism in primary or engineered cell systems
Hands‑on experience with gene perturbation platforms — including CRISPR‑based gene editing and RNA interference (siRNA, shRNA)
Experience with multi‑color flow cytometry, including panel design and analysis
Experience with general molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning, Western blot)
Experience designing and executing in vivo experiments, including study design, model selection, and interpretation of pharmacodynamic and efficacy endpoints
Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and self‑motivated, with strong presentation and documentation skills
Excellent interpersonal and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, vendors, scientific advisors, and staff at all levels
Background in immunology and/or immuno‑oncology, immune cell engineering, or tumor immune microenvironment
Familiarity with in vivo gene delivery and modification approaches, including lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors (lentivirus, AAV), or related platforms
Prior experience working with emerging therapeutic modalities such as oligonucleotide conjugates, mRNA therapeutics, or cell therapies
Experience designing and executing functional or genetic screens, including hit triage, deconvolution, and downstream validation strategies

Work Environment:

This position’s work environment is in a Laboratory
5‑day office policy

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