Senior Principal Scientist

About Xaira Therapeutics

Xaira is an innovative biotech startup focused on leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. The company is leading the development of generative AI models to design protein and antibody therapeutics, enabling the creation of medicines against historically hard-to-drug molecular targets. It is also developing foundation models for biology and disease to enable better target elucidation and patient stratification. Collectively, these technologies aim to continually enable the identification of novel therapies and to improve success in drug development. Xaira is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and London.

About the Role

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on scientific leader to establish and drive our Exploration Technology efforts. This role is critical for accelerating and enhancing our biologics discovery engine. The successful candidate will be responsible for pioneering the identification, development, and implementation of next-generation platforms spanning high-throughput antibody screening, advanced molecular biology, microfluidics, and bioengineering. This individual will be a key driver of innovation, collaborating closely with drug developers, AI/ML scientists, biologists, and other technologists to unlock novel therapeutic modalities and accelerate the path to the clinic.

Key Responsibilities

• Spearhead the identification, evaluation, and implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance the speed, scale, and quality of our biologics discovery campaigns.
• Act as a key individual contributor, providing hands-on expertise in the lab to de-risk new technologies and establish robust workflows in areas such as high-throughput screening, microfluidics, advanced imaging, and novel molecular biology tools.
• Build, lead, mentor, and manage a dedicated team of 2 Ph.D.-level scientists, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and scientific rigor.
• Partner closely with multidisciplinary teams, including drug discovery, protein sciences, AI/ML, and biology, to define key scientific questions and integrate new technological capabilities into discovery workflows.
• Drive the design, execution, and optimization of sophisticated screening assays and technology development projects that directly impact program goals.
• Develop and champion the strategic vision for technology innovation within biologics discovery, staying current with the latest scientific and technological advancements.
• Present scientific findings, project progress, and strategic proposals to internal and external stakeholders, contributing to publications and intellectual property filings.
• Oversee experimental design, protocol development, and resource allocation for the Exploration Technology team to ensure project milestones and scientific objectives are met.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a related field with 8+ years of post-doctoral experience in an academic or industry setting, with a focus on technology development.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in one or more of the following areas: high-throughput antibody screening, microfluidics, advanced microscopy/imaging, complex cell-based assay development, and molecular biology innovation (e.g., library construction, genetic engineering).
• Proven track record of technology development and implementation, successfully onboarding new platforms that have tangibly impacted discovery programs.
• Experience with a wide range of biological systems, including mammalian cell culture, primary cells, and complex cellular models relevant to biologics discovery.
• Prior experience in a leadership or mentorship role is required, with a demonstrated ability to manage and develop Ph.D. level scientists effectively.
• Experience or strong enthusiasm for working at the interface of biology and data science; ability to collaborate effectively with AI/ML and computational scientists.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills for scientific presentations, reports, and publications.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, highly collaborative research environment focused on scientific innovation and impact.

Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, seeking to provide an open, flexible, and friendly work environment to empower employees and provide them with a platform to develop their long-term careers. A Summary of Benefits is available for all applicants. The base pay range for this position is expected to be $173,000-$210,000 annually; however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the market, job-related knowledge, skills and capabilities, and experience.

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