Scientist​/Research Scientist, Molecular Pharmacology; position

Position: Scientist/Research Scientist, Molecular Pharmacology (contract position)
# Scientist/Research Scientist, Molecular Pharmacology (contract position):
South San Francisco, California, United States:
Contract, Full-time:
Oct 6, 2026:
Oct 6, 2026## About the role Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company’s Native Complex Platform TM recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs.

Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.

We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals;

and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.

We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the front lines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.

For more information see:  .About

The Role We are seeking passionate and creative individuals who want to contribute to Septerna’s mission to utilize innovative drug discovery technologies for GPCR targets. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with one or more of the following cellular or biochemical assay systems:
NanoBRET, NanoBiT, BRET, TR-FRET/HTRF, Fluorescence Polarization, AlphaLISA/Alpha Screen, or related luminescence- and fluorescence-based assay platforms applied to GPCR or other membrane-proteins systems. This is full time 12 month contract.

The chosen candidate will be working to advance Septerna’s Native ComplexTM platform by developing quantitative in vitro protein-protein interaction (PPI) assays to purified GPCR proteins, cellular membrane preparations, or whole cells over expressing the GPCR. This position offers the unique opportunity to join an innovative well-funded biotechnology company and to contribute to its long-term success.

The position is based in South San Francisco, CA. Title and compensation commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities
* Perform as a hands-on assay development scientist working within drug discovery project teams to develop and prosecute novel plate-based displacement binding assays.
* Work collaboratively with Discovery Biology colleagues and our drug discovery project teams to prioritize and advance our science.
* Laboratory note booking, data analysis and documentation.

Qualifications
* BS with 10+ years of hands-on relevant in vitro pharmacology experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting, or a PhD in pharmacology, biochemistry,…