Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Oncology

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Associate Principal Scientist to join our Discovery Oncology team in South San Francisco. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in oncology and drug discovery and will lead the conception, design, and execution of discovery-stage research programs. In this role, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to advance differentiated cancer therapies from target validation through early development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze the evolving oncology treatment landscape to identify gaps, unmet medical needs, and competitive opportunities

• Drive ideation and early-stage discovery efforts to deliver competitive oncology programs, leveraging internal expertise and emerging technologies

• Design, establish, and optimize in vitro and ex vivo assays to elucidate mechanisms of action and assess therapeutic potential

• Lead projects through effective cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders across the organization

• Make timely, data-driven decisions that balance innovation, risk, and experimental rigor

• Contribute to patents, IND-enabling activities, and high-quality research documentation and reports

• Communicate scientific strategy, rationale, and results clearly to internal teams and help build external scientific presence through publications, conference presentations, and collaborations

Qualifications:

Education:

• PhD in Cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Biochemistry or a related discipline with four (4) years of relevant experience in oncology drug discovery

Required Experience and Skills:

• Deep expertise in tumor biology, including cancer genomics and oncogenic signaling

• Extensive hands-on experience designing, executing, and analyzing multi-color flow cytometry and mechanistic cell-based assays (e.g., viability/cytotoxicity, cell cycle, signaling, and immune response readouts)

• Demonstrated ability to drive innovative research, evidenced by high-impact publications, patents, and/or successful advancement of discovery programs

• Passionate, creative, and collaborative scientist committed to improving outcomes for people living with cancer

• Broad technical expertise in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and analytical methods

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive, team-oriented mindset, and strong leadership potential

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Hands-on experience with novel therapeutic modalities (e.g., ADCs, TCEs, targeted protein degradation, RIPTACs)

• Familiarity with or in-depth knowledge of cancer dependency databases and other large-scale oncology datasets

 #EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Analytical Method, Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), Cancer Genomics, Cancer Research, Cell-Based Assays, Cellular Biology Techniques, Ex Vivo Assays, In Vitro Assays, Mechanism of Action Studies, Molecular Biology, Multi-Color Flow Cytometry, Oncology, Oncology Research, Protein Degradation, Signalling

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: